How do evangelicals view suffering and loss?

[reen12]

The CC teaches the value of redemptive suffering.
This is based, I assume, in Paul’s comment:

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church… [Col. 1:24]

Would an evangelical reject such a teaching - based on
the belief that Jesus has completed the work of our
salvation, and that no work of ours adds one iota,
in terms of one being saved?

If this is the case, how is unavoidable, profound suffering
viewed, theologically, in evangelicalism?

I would much appreciate help in understanding.

Thank you.

reen12

 

[Robbinson]

The CC teaches the value of redemptive suffering.
This is based, I assume, in Paul’s comment:

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church… [Col. 1:24]

Would an evangelical reject such a teaching - based on
the belief that Jesus has completed the work of our
salvation, and that no work of ours adds one iota,
in terms of one being saved?

If this is the case, how is unavoidable, profound suffering
viewed, theologically, in evangelicalism?

I would much appreciate help in understanding.

Thank you.

reen12

No - Protestants believe in works - the difference is that we (Protestants) believe that works are evidences of (follow from) our faith (James), rather than works being a necessary component of salvation. Also, works are relevant to sanctification (but not justification).

Personally, I’ve always felt this distinction is blown out of proportion as works are relevant in both faiths utlimately. The biggest difference is the Catholic belief that we need to work for our salvation (e.g., perform sacraments of reconcillation and pennance) to atone for mortal sin - whereas Protestant’s belief that Christs’ sacrafice alone (upon sincere confession) of faith is sufficient. Its not that “faith alone” does it - because works (repentance and good deeds - walking in Christ’s way) will follow as we are new creatures in Christ and will be driven to act that way.

Blessings,

Brian

 

[Sabda]

I was listening to a talk by Scott Hahn about suffering. He said that this verse is very hard for Protestants to deal and many will simply ignore it. A friend of his had to do a paper on this verse one time and the only people he could find that made sense out of this verse were the Catholics. He told Scott Hahn that if he preached what he had found about that verse to a Protestant congregation they would boot his butt out the door.

So according to Mr Hahn a lot of Protestants ignore this verse and would rather not deal with it.

The cd, btw, came from here. It’s called “Making Sense Out Of Suffering.”