In this episode of Outlaw God, Dr. Steven Paulson and Caleb Keith examine Christian views of suffering and critiques the common idea that God sends hardship to create or strengthen faith. Drawing on Luther's reading of the Psalms and 2 Corinthians 3, they argue that faith comes first and suffering follows because faith is attacked, not produced, by affliction. They trace how mystical and modern evangelical traditions interpret suffering as a path to humility, conversion, and even divine compassion, including the notion that God must suffer to understand humanity. The discussion concludes by previewing Luther's break from these ideas and a clearer theology of the cross to be explored next time.

Show Notes:

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What's New from 1517:

• Being Family by Dr. Scott Keith

• A Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam Francisco

• Stretched: A Study for Lent and the Entire Christian Life by Dr. Christopher Richmann

• The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation

• Philip Melanchthon's Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Translated by Dr. Derek Cooper

More from the hosts:

• Caleb Keith

• Steven Paulson