Suffering and Healing

Course Description:

Life is painful. Yet most Christians are not taught to deal honestly with their pain. What does the Bible say about pain? Why is it so shocking and insulting to be visited by pain? How did Jesus deal with pain? What can we learn from a Suffering Savior who miraculously healed many people? Does God work miracles of healing today? This is a course that deals with the reality of suffering and healing.

Pre-Requisite Course: Knowing Father God or Holy Spirit of Truth

Guiding Questions:

What happens when a person fails to process his or her pain in humility?
Why do people suffer? Does God suffer? When will suffering finally come to an end?
How can we trust God when there is so much pain in the world?
What is the difference between holy pain and selfish pain? How does holy pain lead to joy?
What does it mean to be healed? Do I really wish to be healed?

I was invited to take Dr. Mount's class on "Suffering and Healing" because of my interest in ministering to those in chronic pain. I came into the class hoping to deepen my theological perspective on suffering and healing, and I was not disappointed. Even though I already possessed a master's degree in theology, I was challenged to think about these difficult matters in new ways and was able to develop my own theology for suffering and healing with the vast array of resources provided through the class. My new ministry now has a greater foundation from which to impact people's lives. The class have given me a greater humility and realization that though we don't always have the answers to the causes of suffering, we do serve an amazing and sovereign Lord!

STUDENT TESTIMONIAL

— David Heflin, Pastor