Why do bad things happen to good people? Essay -- Essays Papers

why do bad things happen to good people?There is unmatched question that everyone asks but to which no one knows the answer Why do bad things happen to good people? The misfortunes of good people raise problems not only for those who suffer, but also for everyone who wants to believe in a just and livable world and in a fair and compassionate god. Rabbi Kushner, author of Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People, attempts to bring light to this difficult question. In doing so he evaluates past attempts to explain crucifixion, offers his own undertake to the justification of suffering in todays society, and makes suggestions for how one can deal with suffering and continue his or her journey into the future. This essay will examine these rationales and will cogitate with an analysis on how Kushner handles the four foundational sources for understanding the will of God through scripture, tradition, history, and upstart context. Kushner evaluates past attempts to explain suffering and discusses why they are not satisfactory. iodin way in which people attempt to make sense of suffering is to assume that they deserve what they get, and that somehow their misfortunes come as punishment for their sins. This idea portrays God as a righteous judge who is all loving, all-powerful, in total control, and gives people exactly what they deserve. However, Kushner sees major limitations in this idea because it teaches people to blame themselves for their suffering and creates unnecessary guilt. In addition, he argues that it may even turn people away from God and cause them to hate themselves. Victims of misfortune also try to condole with themselves by believing that God has his reasons for making them suffer, reasons that they are in no position to... ...the scriptures in the Bible. Moreover, Kushner negates the traditional beliefs of scripture by using modern ideas of growth to undermine the creation story, In a description of Creation which is astonishingly simila r to the evolutionary process as scientists have come to unravel it. (pg 72). This instruction undermines Gods supremacy and promotes Kushners idea of randomness and lack of control. Lastly, Kushner goes against tradition and historical practices of prayer when he insists that asking God for help and asking God to change things is wrong. preferably he suggests that people should change their understanding of what is means to pray and what it means to have ones prayers answered. Nevertheless, Kushner attempts to address the issues of suffering with deep insight and relies heavily on modern context to help people understand the painful events of this life.