Basic Beliefs: The Problem of Evil - AFC 1997

God's Response Through Community

1 Cor. 12:14-26; Romans 8:26; Eph. 4:3,25; 2 Cor. 4:11; Gal. 6:2; John 15:18; Rev. 21:4

The church itself is part of God's response to evil.

Our understanding of the trinitarian nature of God says that personal relationship is part of God's nature, and in the death of Jesus, God experienced the pain of broken relationship. God cares, God hurts.

For the church to attempt to escape from the pain of life within the world is to deny the reality of God.

The Spirit makes us members, not simply of an organization, but of a dynamic reality that enters and alters the difficult history of our age. As the body of Christ, the church has a role in continuing to embody the "offices" of Christ's work:

A Prophetic Church

The cross executes judgement against all false idolatries that require human suffering for the sake of the "common good" as defined by the interests in power.
In the prophetic role, the church raises a voice of objection and speaks God's truth whether or not it is popular or welcome.

• Speaking against exploitation, National Socialism, apartheid, ecological travesty, materialism, etc.
  -- works to alleviate suffering

A Priestly Church

In its priestly role, the church stands in the gap, bearing the burdens of others, being the present embodiment of Emanuel, God with us.
As a priestly community, we struggle to learn how to "bear one another's burdens" internally, and also are called into mission for the sake of the world.

• Encouragement, shared food, shared pain, shared elbow grease, interceding prayer ...
  -- works to alleviate suffering

A Royal Church

The church of Christ is also called to a leadership role in working to shape itself and society into better alignment with God's purposes and values. This is more than protest; this is active participation in formation of public policy that can be long, slow, unappreciated work.

• Committee work, voting, PTA, community clubs, investments in education and health care, political office ...
  -- works to alleviate suffering

To think about:

• What are some practical actions we can take to really help those who endure times of suffering?
• How does the suffering of one member of this congregation affect others?
• Is the body of Christ just another way to say "misery loves company"?
• Does "in the world, but not of it" imply suffering?
• Why bother with the grief of politics?
• Should we be doing more than we are?

We are part of God's patient, long-suffering work that will find its completion only in God's time.