No topic is more enduringly relevant. Everyone encounters suffering one way or another and Christian leaders are called to help them understand its meaning.
David Platt, pastor at the Church at Brook Hills and author of Radical, sits down with David Mathis to discuss how he counsels individuals in the midst of affliction. He highlights five essential truths: 1) the sovereignty and goodness of God; 2) a humble view of man; 3) the ultimate reason that suffering exists is to exalt the glory of God's grace in the sacrifice of his Son for sinners; 4) God has a variety of good purposes in suffering; and 5) suffering is a means through which God leads the church to fulfill the Great Commission.
Stream or download this 14-minute podcast.
Recommended resources on suffering:
- Secret Church: The Cross and Suffering, teaching from David Platt
- Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, eds. John Piper and Justin Taylor
- Evil and the Cross: An Analytical Look at the Problem of Pain, by Henri Blocher
- How Long, O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil, by D. A. Carson
[Subscribe to Theology Refresh through iTunes.]
Previous interviews from Theology Refresh:
- Francis Chan on the Sovereignty of God
- John Piper on the Gospel and Sanctification
- John Piper on the Gospel and Sanctification (Part 2)
- Kevin DeYoung on the Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
- Jerry Rankin on the Great Commission
- Paul Miller on the Doctrine of Prayer
- John Piper on the Celebrity Factor and Pastoral Ministry
- Justin Taylor on the Sanctity of Human Life
- Jared Wilson on the Doctrine of the Trinity
- Ray Ortlund on Union with Christ
- Russell Moore on the Person of Christ
- Darrin Patrick on Biblical Complementarity
- Ed Stetzer on Spiritual Warfare
- David Platt on the Doctrine of Hell
- Don Carson on the Wrath of God
- Sam Storms on the End Times
- Patrick Lai on the Doctrine of Vocation
- Tony Reinke on a Theology of Reading
