Ajith
Fernando, a Christian leader from Sri Lanka who ministers to the urban poor,
writes:
The
church in each culture has its own special challenges—theological blind spots
that hinder Christians from growing to full maturity in Christ …. I think one
of the most serious theological blind spots in the western church is a
defective understanding of suffering. There seems to be a lot of reflection on
how to avoid suffering and on what to do when we hurt. We have a lot of
teaching about escape from suffering and therapy for suffering, but there is
inadequate teaching about the theology of suffering ….
The
"good life," comfort, convenience, and a painless life have become
necessities that people view as basic rights. If they do not have these, they
think something has gone wrong …. One of the results of this attitude is a
severe restriction of spiritual growth, for God intends us to grow through
trials.
Ajith Fernando, The Call to Joy and Pain (Crossway Books, 2007), pp. 51-52
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