The Problem of Pain

Book Review.
Lewis, C.S. The Problem of Pain. Geoffrey Bles Ltd. London. 1956 (Twentieth impression.)
Comment. Henry
In his wide range of topics and his thorough treatment of those topics, Lewis has included ‘Pain’, a very common but difficult problem. “A brilliant and suggestive book, combining logic and imagination, philosophy and orthodoxy.” Scottish Guardian.

On his journey from being an atheist to becoming a Christian Lewis gives this conclusion regarding the grounds on which he made this change; “If, on such grounds, or on better ones, we follow the course on which humanity has been led, and become Christians, we then have the ‘problem’ of pain.” (13)
The Omnipotence of God and the free choice of man are not what they seem, i.e. a contradiction. And so it is that suffering (pain) becomes a non-contradictional reality. God’s goodness (Love) is different than kindness. Kindness may be limited to the removal of suffering, e.g. killing suffering animals. “If God is Love, He is by definition, something more than mere kindness. He has paid us the intolerable compliment of loving us, in the deepest, most tragic, most inexorable sense.” (29)
Different analogies are used to explain God’s relationship with man. The love of man for a beast is one example, i.e. we are the sheep of His pasture. The father /son relationship is used. In its traditional meaning this ‘love’ is understood as an authoritative love and an obedient love. A third analogy is the lover’s love for his beloved. In this relationship there is a strong expectation of perfection while at the same time a generous attitude of grace.
Man’s wickedness stems from the abuse of the free will and making wrong choices. Christianity declares this as wickedness. This wickedness has been very much played down in our ‘enlightened’ culture. There is no shame. “A recovery of the old sense of sin is essential to Christianity.” (45) It is a part of man’s nature, not acquired but inherited. Until it is admitted it puts God in a position of unwarranted anger. We underestimate and under-evaluate our own wickedness. Don’t be misled by an increased focus on “corporate guilt” (48) and the minimizing of personal guilt. Time does not cancel sin. To argue that everybody is doing it is a juvenile argument.
Pain is the primary result of man’s wickedness. The surrender of self-will, which is a condition of being a Christ follower, is a painful experience, which is resisted by the human spirit. Revenge is an attempt to give retribution an element of good. “Pain as God’s megaphone is a terrible instrument.” (83) It is necessary and a part of discovering God’s truth. Our self-sufficiency must be shattered.
The author presents “six propositions” (98) about pain. “1. There is a paradox about tribulation.” (98) Pain has a redemptive purpose. “2. Tribulation (pain) will never cease till God sees the world to be either redeemed or no further redeemable.” (102) 3. Pain is not a political issue. 4. Suffering helps us realize that this world is not our final home. 5. Pain is not to be thought of as an “unimaginable sum of human misery”. (103) “6. Pain has no tendency, in its own right, to proliferate.” (104) (I don’t get this one.)
(Redemptive) pain can lead to repentance or rebellion. This ‘doctrine’ supports the existence of hell. “A man who admits no guilt can accept no forgiveness.” (110) “In all discussions of hell we should keep steadily before our eyes the possible damnation of ourselves.” (116)
Regarding animal pain it is suggested that as man is different from animal the pain is also different. An exception is made for domesticated animals that are under man’s influence.
Heaven is an essential part of the doctrine of pain and suffering. Lewis explains that what he has to say about heaven “is merely an opinion of my own”. (133) “Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you alone, because you were made for it.” (137)
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