Don: Sharon is going to give us the leadoff thoughts this morning, about culture and suffering. She’s lived in many different cultures. Sharon: Let me talk a bit about the various cultures I’ve lived in. I grew up in Michigan, specifically in Pontiac, before my parents became missionaries in Pakistan. Those formative years in Pakistan…

Don: Michael is going to share some thoughts about grace and suffering.  Michael: Thanks to Kiran and Dr. Weaver for their help in preparing this message.  During the final days of Jesus’s ministry, beginning from the night at the garden of Gethsemane until His death on the cross, Jesus suffered in every category. He suffered…

Note: Sharon recommends the article at this link in connection with our current topic of discussion: How Americans Make Sense of Suffering | Pew Research Center   Michael and Kiran continue their series on suffering and grace. I appreciate their effort and their work. Kiran: In the good world that God created, there was no shame, fear,…

Michael: At the end of last week’s class Donald asked the class this question: Why do we often link the terms suffering and pain? Is it necessary? Is suffering different than pain? This week Kiran and I will try to explore this connection and furthermore.  But first, let’s define these terms, with help from Chat…

Sharon has a PhD in Social Work and has been a professor and administrator at a variety of colleges and higher institutions of higher learning. She has agreed to give us some perspective this morning on suffering and the picture of God that comes with the suffering that each of us has in our lives.…

In the last few Sabbath’s our discussion has centered on our understanding, our concept, our image of God. We’ve looked at the effects of technology and artificial intelligence, and the effects of education on our picture of God, Donald led us through a brilliant discussion on imagery and music. Last week, David introduced us to…