The Bible Answers Vital Questions of Our Day

IS THE Bible relevant today? For the answer to be yes, surely this age-old book would have to offer its readers guidance on topics of current interest and relevance. Does the Bible provide beneficial counsel on subjects that are of real importance in today's world?

Let us take a look at two current issues. In doing so, we will examine what the Bible says about these matters.

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

In view of the conditions in the world today, one of the most commonly asked questions is: Why does God allow innocent people to suffer? This question is justified, since more and more people are being affected by violent crime, corruption, genocide personal tragedy, and so forth. For example, in June 1998 ab express train crashed into a bridge in norther Germany, killing more than a hundred passengers. Even experienced medics and firemen who attended to the injured and the dead were upset by the carnage. A bishop of the Evangelical Church asked: "Dear God, why did this have to happen?" The bishop himself gave no answer.

Experience shows that when innocent people suffer evil without getting an explanation about the cause, they sometimes become embittered. Here is where the Bible can help, for it explains why innocent people are subjected to wickedness and suffering.

When Jehovah God created the earth and everything on it, he did not intend that humankind be troubled by wickedness and suffering. How can we be sure? Because upon completing his creation, "God saw everything he had made and, look! it was very good." (Genesis 1:31) Ask yourself, "if I were to observe something wicked, would I pronounce it "very good"?' Of course not! In the same way, when God pronounced everything 'very good," there was not trace of wickedness on earth. So when and how did wickedness start?

Next time: Conclusion of Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Watchtower, 1999