Approaches to Answering the Question Once I have listened to the unbeliever describe how he would answer the question. I ask him which type of answer he has just given me:
1. TheologicalI am particularly interested in the sufferer. The theologian and philosopher are hard to deal with, but the one who distrusts God because he has suffered or is suffering is a different matter. The sufferer can be confronted on the basis of his suffering with our own suffering and the suffering of Christ. We, as Christians see that out suffering fills up the afflictions of Christ (Col. 1:24; 1 Peter 4:13; 5:1). Our lives are vessels used by God to portray him visually before people's eyes. Only in the context of suffering does the Christian answer to the problem make sense. For those who are only seeking theological or philosophical answers, I have little to offer, but I can offer the sufferer the crucified Christ who can empathize with him (Hebrews 4:15).
2. Philosophical
3. PragmaticAfter determining if a person is a sufferer then we are able to establish the goal of all discussions with that person.
Our Goal: The Satisfaction of the Sufferer
Read: Vicchio's Introduction. This must be mastered to understand where I am going with later discussions. After reading this then read the remainder of the book.
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