Theology cannot abolish suffering (MPhil Edit)

Bangor University: My MPhil (Never set foot)

MPhil, Bangor University, 2003: The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives 

PhD, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, 2010: Theodicy and Practical Theology 

From MPhil

'Theology may not be able to abolish suffering - but it can allow that suffering to be seen in a new light. Although the way things are cannot be changed, the way in which people view them and respond to them can. The theologian can reassure believers concerning the validity of their faith and help them to apply it to the riddles of life. For faith makes a vital difference to the way we see and experience things. Just as the sun shines upon the righteous and the unrighteous, so both the believer and the non-believer suffer and die. The vital difference lies in the way in which they experience and understand what is happening to them.' McGrath (1992: 8).

McGRATH, A. (1986) Iustitia Dei, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

McGRATH, A. (1992) Bridge-Building, Leicester, Inter-Varsity Press.

McGRATH, A. (1992) Suffering, London, Hodder and Stoughton Limited.
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Bangor University

Academic knowledge from theology, bible, philosophy of religion, psychology, as well as pastoral counselling, cannot abolish suffering (all suffering, some things can be solved), but it can explain it to some extent, and hopefully when in Jesus Christ and the gospel, provide some peace based in historical, religious scripture.