The problem of suffering is one which has been addressed in
great detail by many people over the years. You can approach the
subject from the perspective of theology, of pastoral care, or of
apologetics, but it seems to me that any adequate response must
cover all three of these areas.
In my own reading, it appears that most authors wish to provide
a definitive answer to or response to the problem. Whatever the
answer being offered, the one constant feature is the belief that
this answer will do all that is required: understand what I am
saying, and you will be able to deal with the pastoral, apologetic
and theological challenges which come your way in this area.
Variety
While each of the individual ideas in these books may be good and
helpful, I do not see how one approach can possibly deliver what is
promised. Instead of aiming to produce the one definitive response
to the problem of suffering, a more useful approach could be to
identify a wide range of responses.
After all...
We do not all share the same theology, so it is unlikely that
one theological approach will work for everyone.
We do not all have the same personality, hopes, fears and
desires, so a single answer is unlikely to meet the pastoral needs
of everyone.
We do not all share the same values and priorities, so a single
answer is unlikely to satisfy everyone from an apologetic point of
view.
The Task
Does this mean that our task has to move away from assessing,
testing and evaluating the different approaches to simply collecting
them? I do not think this is the case, for two reasons.
Firstly, the theological debate will continue, and it can be fed
by the contributions from the differing camps. A deeper
understanding of how the theological, pastoral and apologetic
dimensions of each of the various positions interact with each other
can only aid the process of working to find a shared theology all
Christians can embrace.
And secondly, the practical challenge is turned around, not lost:
instead of seeking the one correct answer to give to everyone, we
will be seeking to understand each individual, so that we can select
from the range of answers available to us the ones which will
actually help this person cope with their problems and to grow in
faith and as a person.