Suffering and divine impassibility

Jonathan Kopel; Franklyn C Babb; William Hasker; Mark Webb; Carmine C Gorga; K J Oommen; Gregory L Brower; Andrew Coleman

doi:10.1080/08998280.2021.1981674

Suffering and divine impassibility

Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2021 Oct 19;35(1):139-141. doi: 10.1080/08998280.2021.1981674. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Jonathan Kopel¹, Franklyn C Babb¹, William Hasker², Mark Webb³, Carmine C Gorga⁴, K J Oommen⁵, Gregory L Brower¹, Andrew Coleman⁶

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.
² Department of Philosophy, Huntington University, Huntington, Indiana.
³ Department of Philosophy, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas.
⁴ Somist Institute, Gloucester, Massachusetts.
⁵ Covenant Hospital, Lubbock, Texas.
⁶ Biola University, La Mirada, California.

Abstract

Many theologians believe in the doctrine of divine impassibility: that God does not experience pain or pleasure from the actions of creation. However, the question inevitably touches upon our personal relationship and journey with God, a journey involving deep joys and pains. This discussion of divine impassibility relates to the medical profession, which seeks to heal the sick and comfort the dying.

Keywords: Clinical practice; divine impassibility; suffering; theology.