Rev. Douglas Whitelaw, M.A. is the executive director of
Ark Aid Mission in London, Ontario. This post is from his paper 'Toward A Theology of Suffering'.
SECTION 2/9
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It may be
possible to engage in Christian ministry in some contexts and not have to think
too much about suffering. But to work with those suffering mental health
issues, with the dying, with the incarcerated, with those trapped in poverty
and with those for whom the dream of a middle class, Western lifestyle will
forever be unattainable, one cannot escape thinking about it. Sometimes we may
fall prey to the platitudes, sometimes either the goodness or power of God may
be compromised, but working with the very same people that Jesus said he came
for – the poor, the captive, the blind, the oppressed (Lk 4:18-19) calls for
response. Often enough, this response is compassion and engagement but this
paper is an attempt to work out a more comprehensive theology of human
suffering so that we are better able to impart meaning and hope in
circumstances which deny either and both.
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