If you’ve followed this series so far, you will have noted the ‘evidential’ reasons I have outlined, quite apart from my own instilled faith, for the existence of God.

But belief doesn’t mean we stop asking questions. In fact, some of the hardest questions about God have been with us for centuries. Let’s take a look at a few that people ask most often.

This is the second part of Blog 9. Please also refer to Part 1 for the answers to other commonly asked questions.

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1. WHY IS THERE SUFFERING, AND WHY DOESN’T GOD STOP IT?

This may be the hardest question of all and is perhaps tied to our mortality.

If God is all-powerful and loving, why is there pain, loss, and tragedy in the world?

Part of the answer lies in free will. God created us with the ability to choose love, goodness, and truth—but that also means we can choose selfishness, harm, and injustice. Much suffering and atrocity evolves from human decisions.

But that’s not the whole story. Some suffering comes through illness, natural disasters, or circumstances we can’t control. In those moments, God may not remove the pain, but He can redeem it—bringing growth, compassion, and hope we might never have known otherwise.

And for those who trust Him, there is a promise: one day He will wipe away every tear. Suffering will not have the last word.

Remember too, that Jesus suffered for us and that He may have regard for those who have suffered the most in the next life.

There are some things in this life that remain a mystery to us. This issue may well be one of them, but perhaps there is some consolation in the words of Jesus. “Happy are those who mourn; for they will be comforted – Matthew 5:4”. “Happy are you who weep now; for you will laugh – Luke 6:21”. “There will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain – Revelation 21:4”.

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2. HOW CAN RELIGIOUS WARS BE JUSTIFIED?

It is sometimes said that religion causes wars, and that this reflects badly on God. But wars are not started by God. They are started by people – often leaders, politicians and movements – who sometimes use religion as a convenient excuse to pursue power, territory, or control.

History shows that conflicts are just as often fueled by nationalism, ideology, and greed.

True religion as taught by Jesus, is centred on the love of God and our neighbour. When people act violently in the name of religion, they are misusing God’s name for their own purposes.

Rather than disproving God’s existence, such tragedies highlight humanity’s failure to live by the ways of God.

Jesus, Himself, said: Nations will rise against nations. Many will come in my name, claiming “I am He”. Do not be deceived. Jesus declared that we should love our neighbours; not take up arms against them.

3. DID JESUS REALLY DIE ON THE CROSS?

Some argue that Jesus only fainted on the cross and later revived. But the evidence strongly points to His actual death:

• Roman execution expertise: Crucifixion was perfected to ensure death. The Roman soldiers who carried it out were trained professionals.
• The spear wound: When a soldier pierced Jesus’ side, a flow of blood and water was observed (John 19:34)—a clear sign of death from asphyxiation and heart failure.
• Eyewitness verification: Those who took His body down, including Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, saw He was dead.
• Secured tomb: A large stone sealed the entrance, and Roman guards kept watch.
• His own prediction: Jesus foretold His death and resurrection (Matthew 17:22; 20:19).
• No alternative narrative: If Jesus had somehow survived, where is the forensic evidence? Where did He hide? And how could a badly injured man convince followers He had conquered death?

The consistent testimony of history and Scripture is clear: Jesus truly died—and He truly rose again.

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FINAL THOUGHT

Asking hard questions is not a sign of weak faith—it’s part of a living faith. God is not threatened by our doubts.

Like a father who longs for his children to know Him, God waits patiently, even when some turn away. His desire is that all will be reconciled to Him.

We have free will to make our determination, either to accept or reject God.

Mike.

mike@acaseforgod.com

Post 9 of a 33-part series exploring the evidence for the existence of God.

PLEASE await and refer to my next Blog – THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.