The Problem of Pain – C.S. Lewis

In The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis offers a profound exploration of one of the most difficult questions faced by believers and skeptics alike: If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow suffering? With his trademark intellect and literary elegance, Lewis approaches this timeless dilemma not with easy answers but with theological insight, philosophical depth, and pastoral sensitivity.

Lewis begins by establishing a Christian understanding of Gods natureHis goodness, omnipotence, and loveand then explores how pain can coexist with those divine attributes. He argues that pain is not meaningless or incompatible with God's love but can serve as a necessary and even redemptive aspect of the human experience. Pain, Lewis suggests, is God's "megaphone to rouse a deaf world," a tool for awakening, growth, and eventual joy.

He also addresses the pain of animals, human suffering, and the mystery of divine justice, never dodging the hard questions but always grounding his reflections in a broader vision of eternal purpose.

Thoughtful, honest, and compassionate, The Problem of Pain remains one of Lewiss most enduring theological works. It provides comfort not by minimizing suffering, but by helping readers see how Gods wisdom and love persist even in lifes hardest moments.