Below is what a wrote in a class discussion board that I thought would make a good blog post. Enjoy!

Suffering is a part of each person’s life to varying degrees. However, Christianity seems to be the only religion that is upfront with its followers that to embrace this religion, is to endure suffering and trials on its behalf. Many other religions, like Buddhism for example, will put themselves through hardship through asceticism. It seems as though only Christianity receives suffering or persecution from outside on a worldwide scale. Obviously, there have been other oppressive state religions that have abused people of all religions, but why is it that groups like the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence exist to mock and persecute Christians/Catholics and not Muslims who hold the same standards as Christians? How often are Christians mocked for praying, yet the same people who mock will advocate for meditating? Christianity is mocked because the eternal power and divine nature of God has been clearly perceived by all, but he is rejected and people’s hearts are darkened towards God. ¹

All people know the truth of God, and we are to rejoice in truth. ² Therefore, if we are to rejoice in truth, we ought to rejoice in our suffering, for we are suffering on behalf of truth. This is why Crowther calls this suffering a paradox. Normally, anyone would consider suffering to be a bad thing, but Christians rejoice in it. ³ Suffering is a fire that can refine, shape, and strengthen God’s people. ⁴ Suffering is a tool used by God to test, purify, and strengthen his leaders. ⁵ Leaders ought to embrace suffering and persecution with joy. They can come alongside other believers and assist them as they fight the good fight.

Crowther states that leaders ought not to mislead followers in regards to suffering, but to handle it with integrity. ⁶ This is why prosperity gospel leaders like Joel Osteen, Kenneth Copeland, and the like, ought to be rebuked for their false teaching as they abuse the gospel and attempt to bend it to their will. They do not teach Christians that there is joy, honor, and glory to be found in suffering as it is an imitation of Christ who suffered. Rather they teach of financial and physical prosperity and a riddance of suffering. Their gospel is weak. Real Christian leaders ought to stand up to them and rebuke them and ironically suffer at the behest of other believers. To which, we get to take further joy.

Footnotes

1. Romans 1:20-24
2. 1 Corinthians 13:6
3. Steven Crowther, Peter on Leadership: A Contemporary Exegetical Analysis (Ontos Zoe Publishing, 2013) 116.
4. Ibid, 115.
5. Ibid, 118.
6. Ibid.

Bibliography

Crowther, Steven. Peter on Leadership: A Contemporary Exegetical Analysis. Ontos Zoe Publishing, 2013.