Unpacking the problem of evil and suffering with Mike Gunderson

In this episode Skyler interviews Mike Gunderson on the problem of evil and suffering and the challenges it presents to us. Mike is the lead pastor at Oak Park Christian Church and is someone who has known first hand what it feels like to suffer. In this episode Mike shares with us his unique perspective on dealing with evil and suffering and why it is not the greatest issue we should be wrestling with.

Links:
Mike Gunderson
Room For Doubt

Notes:
Why Believe God is Good in the Face of Suffering 

1.  Three options to the problem of suffering:
   1. There is no God and life is what it is (no purpose, meaning, or hope).
   2. There is a God, but he's not good.
   3. There is a God and he is good.
2. The bigger problem is not the problem of evil, but the problem of good.
   1. Why is there so much good in the world?
   2. For something to be bad, good must exist. 
   3. Why don't more bad things happen?
3. How to safeguard your faith from suffering:
   1. Expect suffering.
   2. Realize that God has a grader purpose to life (we do not fully understand it now).
   3. Use difficulty as a time to depend on God's grace.
4. How to have a conversations with someone suffering:
   1. See it as a challenge to do more good for people and the world.
   2. Be merciful to those who are doubting because of suffering (this was Jesus strategy and James instruction)
   3. Remember that doubt is not the opposite of faith, unbelief is.