POINTER FOR THOSE WHO QUESTION

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Pointer for those who question

Don Tallis, in his letter to Mailbox (August 15), stated that "essentials to life would of course exist without any divine assistance".

This is clearly false, as without God nothing could be created or exist at all.

However, he asks a pertinent question when he wonders why an "all-seeing and benevolent God allows tragic events such as natural disasters or the killing of innocent children".

It is a problem which is the most frequent cause of doubt for those who believe in God but probably regard him as indifferent.

It would be silly to pretend that anyone has a complete answer to this problem. But the Christian Church does have some pointers.

First, the human race is a fallen race and the effects will be felt until the end of time, both in the human person who is, despite his intrinsic goodness, inclined to sin.

Further, human beings have a large degree of free will in choosing good or evil.

Jesus Christ, by his suffering and death on the cross, atoned for the sins of mankind and repaired the rift with God.

Jesus said that anyone who "wants to be my disciple must take up his cross and follow me".

Suffering is intrinsically bad and is to be fought by normal means, yet acceptance of it can lead to great holiness.

It is part of the human condition until the last day; but it does not, and cannot, contradict the truth that God, out of love for the human race, sent his Son to suffer and die on the cross for our redemption.

Yes, God does work in mysterious ways. It is not just a platitude.

Mark W Jacques OP, Quorn