The Big Why
Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?
by
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Chapter 1 – The Curse The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans as a summary of Christian Doctrine to the people of Rome as an introduction to his teaching and beliefs. It is a very sweeping book that covers God’s saving history of the world. He begins of course with man’s sinful nature. Then he goes through artfully sharing how God had a plan to save man and then follows with application of how saved Christian man lives in this world as a child of God. In the heart of Romans though, he deals with suffering as the Christian lives the life even as a special child of God. He gives us a lot of understanding in this area as one who had experienced unjust suffering for his faith as he did. In Romans 8:18-30 he gives the foundation for suffering in the world as it was then and is right now and gives answers to this hard question. Let’s look at what he says and trace his logic. First he says; {18} “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” He recognizes that there are some pretty harsh situations in life. Even though the pain in this life is tough and life can give us some really terrible tragedies, it’s nothing compared to the great and glorious life the believer has waiting for us in heaven with God. Here is a lesson in life that is hard for some to understand, Chapter 2 – The Curse That Makes Us Cry and Curse In the beginning, everything that was created by God was good. {Genesis 1:31a} And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. With the creation of Adam and Eve, he also gave them a stipulation. {Genesis 2:16} But the LORD God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— {17} except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Satan, of course, tempted Eve to disregard what God said and got her to partake of the fruit along with Adam. {Genesis 3:1-3} Here Satan uses a trick that still works very well to this day. He gets her to doubt what God says. {4} “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. {5} “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” He uses the logic that God doesn’t want you to have what He has because you will be equal to Him. Both Eve and Adam fell for it and the curse of Sin entered the world. {Genesis 3:6} Sin means rebellion, or setting ourselves up as a god, thinking we know more than God does. It is missing the mark that God set. Sin can be defined as the middle letter “I” that wants and takes control. “I” don’t need God. “I” am the master of my destiny. “I” don’t have to listen or obey Him because “I” know what “I” need and “I” don’t need His help. When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, everything on earth was changed in a negative way.
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About the Book
After seeing or experiencing a tragedy, many are compelled to ask the hard questions: “Why did God allow this to happen?” “Where was your God when he let this take place?” In the end, many people wrestle with the question of why God allows suffering in his world. So why? In The Big Why, author Rev. Dr. David Henion answers these questions from the perspective of the God of the Bible, who walks and acts in the pages of scripture with people who suffered for many different reasons. While some have approached these questions from a religious perspective, others philosophically, and others from the gut-wrenching, painful walk through personal tragedy. It can be illuminating to know that the sovereign God of the scriptures is not only involved with suffering but has suffered, and his hand is in and on every activity on the earth—that includes suffering. This, then, is where the mystery and dilemma come as we look at this God of love, kindness, goodness, graciousness, and mercy. How could he allow and cause some of the most senseless and devastating tragedies in the world? Does it make any sense? What is the purpose? The Bible gives us some insights that truly bring light to this very dark and painful contradiction of life.
About the Author
Rev. Dr. David Henion was raised in New Jersey and attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, where he played on their 1974 NCAA Division III National Championship football team. After sensing the call to ministry, he went on to Western Seminary in Michigan, completing his master of divinity degree; David also has a doctor of ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary. His first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, where he also served as a police and fire chaplain for the city, and in 1991 he and his family moved to Wichita, Kansas, to start the Harvest Community Church (HCC). David and his wife have three grown children, two of whom are married, and three grandchildren. Besides pastoring, he has served as a chaplain for the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and the Wichita Police Department for twenty-four years.