Can God be Good/Loving yet allow suffering ?

Step 1. We must understand the Physical world that we live in.

The laws of this world are set. wood and steel act the same way when we build hospitals as when we build weapons.

Thus matter does not change based on our intentions, whether good or bad. 

Step 2. Pain can be beneficial. 

After learning about Congenital Analgesia — a disorder which causes newborns to not feel pain. I thought it would be great to have such a superhero quality.

However,  in reality children with this rare condition often times break bones, lose teeth, get many cuts, bruises and bites without the body even knowing, and this can potentially be dangerous.

Simple tasks such as brushing your teeth or chewing food are made dramatically more difficult with this condition. One must constantly check his entire body for any signs of swelling or bruising.  A privilege done by our bodies for us.

Thus Pain is essential and beneficial to our bodies, it sets a limit, a challenge to be overcome by those who strive i.e Sports

Step 3. Facts about the Earth.

The Earth is a marvelous system– engineering talk. An amazing machine.

In order to survive millions of years, the Earth would need the occasional changing of oil, rotating tires and car wash. These come in the form of Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanic eruptions .

Some of these natural disasters are even man-made. i.e due to industrial era, the emitted gases has caused a rise of temperature, which caused the melting of the ice in Antarctica, causing the elevation of sea levels, which modifies the currents and finally results in various natural disasters.

The same could be said about the elimination of tress and mining.

Step 4. Intervention.

You might have the argument: “well how come there are people in Africa, with no clothes to wear and no food to eat ?!”

Can God Intervene, Should God Intervene?

God can intervene, yet he made it clear in the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, that it is  humanity’s Job. ( Luke 16: 19-31)

Step 5. Different Language.

Words like good, evil and lawful are defined by Society. Our understanding of what is Good differs from God’s. Like a child and his father who share opposing views on sweet fattening candy and the sour beneficial medicine.

Thus, it is not fitting to judge God based on our understanding of Goodness— not knowing what the future holds.