RST 250P ST: The Problem of Suffering
Human suffering continues to be a challenging and difficult reality for all people, including those who have a religious worldview that addresses suffering as a central concern. This course will explore the theological and spiritual "problem" of suffering. Students will learn about and engage the ways suffering is viewed in a variety of world religions, with an emphasis on the Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist traditions. Topics include kinds of suffering, the dilemma of Job, the challenge of the Holocaust, the pain of God, and spiritual disciplines and practices that address suffering directly. The way that suffering impacts specific communities will also be addressed. This course does not propose to "solve" the problem of suffering; it offers approaches to this question that can yield deeper insights for our lives.