Coffeehouse Discussions For Today
In a fascinating talk on Monday 29th March during the week leading up to Easter Sunday, Dr Alistair Donald explored evidence for the resurrection and then responded to the ensuing questions from the audience. And on Monday 3rd May, David Robertson’s insights and humour stimulated some great discussion as he explored the question of what true freedom means in today’s secular society and for Christians.
The final talk in this spring series will be held on Monday 31st May, when Keith Short will introduce our speaker for the evening, Alex McLellan.
How could a good God allow suffering?
The new year of 2010 was still very young when a magnitude 7.0 earthquake - the strongest one to hit the island since 1770 - struck Haiti on 12th January at 4.53pm. Of the 10 million population on the island, 3 million were in need of emergency aid. Over the next several days, 33 aftershocks ranged in magnitude from 4.2 to 5.9. More than 222,000 people lost their lives as a result of the quake.
Six weeks later on 27th February our TV screens were once more displaying devastating scenes following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake with its epicentre just off the Chilean coast.
Reflecting on the level of suffering in the world, one undergraduate said, “I just don’t believe the God of Christianity exists. God allows terrible suffering in the world. So he might be either all-powerful but not good enough to end evil and suffering, or else he might be all-good but not powerful enough to end evil and suffering. Either way the all-good, all-powerful God of the Bible couldn’t exist.”
Another added, “This isn’t a philosophical issue to me. This is personal. I won’t believe in a God who allows suffering, even if he, she or it exists. Maybe God exists. Maybe not. But if he does, he can’t be trusted.”
So, does the reality of evil and suffering in our world mean God cannot exist?
Come along and engage with this topic on Monday 31st May at 7.15pm in the Orocco Pier Hotel. Pick up a cup of coffee and listen to Alex McLellan’s talk entitled:
Haiti? – How do you make sense of suffering?
Afterwards there will be plenty of time to ask Alex questions and to join in with the discussion that follows his talk.
Learn more about Quench.
Up-coming Evenings
| Monday | "Haiti!" |
| 31st May 2010 | How do you make sense of suffering? |
| Alex McLellan |
Quench will meet in the Orocco Pier Hotel, South Queensferry from 7.15–8.30pm. You are free to come and go as you please during the evening, although we'd recommend getting there by 7.15pm to get your coffee and not to miss the opening statements at 7.30pm.