Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
1. How do you think and feel about the problem of evil and suffering?
Can you trust that God has good reasons for all the tragedy and pain that occur in life?
2. Who do you think has the greater problem of making sense of evil and suffering, the believer or the atheist?
3. Keller suggests that God is great and transcendent enough to have good reasons for allowing evil and suffering to continue that we cannot know (p. 25). Is this an intellectually satisfying answer? Is this an emotionally satisfying answer? That is, in times of extreme suffering, is there comfort in being told that the suffering serves a greater, albeit unknowable, good?
4. Keller asks: “Why was Jesus so much more overwhelmed by his own death than others have been?” (p. 28). How do you react to this question? Does knowing that Jesus was overwhelmed by his death make a difference to you?
Does the cross of Christ bring profound consolation to you in the face of suffering?
5. What consolations or assurances have you heard from non-believers?
How is this comforting to them? Do you find them sufficient? Why or why not?
6. Keller writes: “The Biblical view of things is resurrection – not a future that is just a consolation for the life we never had but a restoration of the life you always wanted. This means that every horrible thing that ever happened will not only be undone and repaired but will in some way make the central glory and joy even greater” (p. 32). Explain the difference between a consolation for the life we never had and a restoration of the life you always wanted.