The movie, “Acts of God” is currently screening in limited markets and the accompanying book and small group Bible study is being released in a few weeks. The project deals with a tough subject matter: “If God is so good, why does he allow so much pain?”
Suffering is difficult to explain, but let’s be thankful we have an eternal hope in spite of the suffering in this world.
“We are seemingly inundated by news accounts of tragedies back to back. How should the Christian respond?”
1. First, don’t blame God. He is not the author of most suffering any more than a father who takes the training wheels off his child’s bicycle intentionally causes the spills and tears that inevitably follow. We live in an era of God’s permissive will. He gives us freedom and He doesn’t intervene to prevent every painful experience. We live in a fallen world where the lethal sin-virus strikes without discrimination. God warns us that the rain will fall on the just and the unjust.
2. And don’t expect easy, pat answers. God doesn’t normally explain why He doesn’t exempt good people from pain. He doesn’t disclose the future and reveal to us just how, “all things will work together for good.”
God asks for two responses from us: trust and patience. Job said, “Even if He slay me I will trust Him.” It takes time for God’s good purpose to unfold.
3. Remember this is exactly what the Bible predicted would happen. God’s Word warns, “There will be terrible times in the last days” because of unrestrained evil in the world. The Scripture does not teach that we will be exempt from the world’s hurt, but reminds us that this temporary, evil world is not our home. Jesus promised, “In this world you will have trouble, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Even though it may appear the world is unraveling, the Lord has not lost control. The world is moving toward God’s final intervention. The increased tragedies are reminders of our ultimate hope.
4. Finally, band together as a Christian community and use the horrible tragedies as a positive testimony to the world. C.S. Lewis called pain, “God’s megaphone.” He said God shouts to us in our pain. But pain is also God’s spotlight. The world watches intensely to see how we respond. They’re keenly interested in seeing whether our faith sustains us through tough times. We may have more opportunity for witnessing in tragedy than we ever do in prosperity. The world needs to see, “…we have an anchor that keeps the soul steadfast and sure,” even when the sea is turbulent. Our most effective testimony is when we say, “I don’t understand this, but I still believe God is going to make things right one day.”
“The movie looks intense- how will it bring a message of hope in such depressing situations? Why should we attend something with so much reality in our faces?”
That was my concern when I first read the script for “Acts of God.” It is a heavy film. It is not an escape from reality. It deals with very intense and very realistic situations. But, because it is so real, the end result is edifying and encouraging.
After a preview of “Acts of God,” one man came out in tears and said, “Thanks for doing this movie. I had a child killed in an auto accident years ago and I’ve struggled with anger against God. This really, really helped me.”
Another said, “I have a son who lost his faith because he saw so many horrible things in Iraq. I want to bring him to this movie. I think it will help him to see he’s not alone.”
“Acts of God” helps by facing reality. Some accuse Christians of living in a fantasy world and not struggling with the tough issues. This film illustrates that pain isn’t a one-time experience and everything doesn’t turn out great within thirty minutes. Pain is repeated. Pain is often prolonged. It’s not easily explained. Our prayers are not always answered the way we’d like. The film, “Acts of God”, helps by asking the tough questions. If God is all-loving and all-powerful why doesn’t He intervene?
It helps by its positive, but realistic ending. No one will say this movie is “hokey” or just another “feel good” movie. But it has an inspirational, uplifting conclusion. It shows that it’s possible to hold on to our faith even when life falls apart. It shows that we can forgive even the most hideous of offenses. It shows that life can go on and we can be joyful because we have an eternal hope.
Most people going through painful experiences don’t need a theological explanation; they need emotional identification. They need to see that others have gone through similar, intense pain and experienced haunting doubt and yet they held on to their faith. People walk out of the movie, “Acts of God,” thinking, “If they can do it, I can do it too!”
“Why is it important for churches to offer regular Bible studies about dealing with hardship? How will it help? What are specifics members can find in such a study?”
The church needs to provide studies dealing with hardship for two reasons. First, everyone has to cope with suffering at one time or another. Those who are currently going through difficult times need encouragement and reinforcement. Those who are going to experience it in the future need preparation. We don’t send soldiers onto the battlefield without boot camp and practical training.
The second reason we need Bible Studies about suffering is that the question of inexplicable suffering is the number one reason unbelievers give for their skepticism. “Why would a good God allow innocent people to suffer?”
Simon Peter wrote that we should be ready to give a reason for the hope that we have. If believers aren’t ready for that question they are left defenseless. The church needs to equip its members with a reasonable response to this difficult question.
The small group study based on the movie, “Acts of God” focuses on the life of Joseph. Joseph provides a Biblical illustration of a man who experienced one setback after another and yet chose to be faithful without understanding why he was going through so many horrible experiences. In the end God honored his trust and his patience.
We may not have all the answers right now. But we choose to believe there is a God who does. And, like Joseph, we choose to trust that in the end He will make all things right.
