Abstract:
Living in a ‘good’ world of inherent pain and suffering.
Evolutionary theory tells us that there was no metaphysical change as a result of The Fall; that much of the pain and suffering we experience is purely by virtue of how God created the world. In this talk I will explore my own journey with the wrestling of pain and suffering, with a focus on Augustinian Privation Theory.
Profile:
Emma Belcher was born in New Zealand but raised in Brazil with her two older sisters as a missionary child. She is currently the Student Program Coordinator with Ngā Karaitiana kimi Matū/New Zealand Christians in Science. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Anthropological Science, a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, A Master of Arts in Philosophy, and a postgraduate diploma in Theology. Her area of speciality is Theodicy, specifically the question of inherent pain and suffering by virtue of how God created the world. This area of interest is informed by her personal experience with long-term Chronic pain and navigating the questions that arise from it. She is passionate about translating her academic study with the lived experience, especially around the question of living with pain and suffering while maintaining the goodness of God. She is currently continuing more postgraduate studies in Theology at the University of Otago. She enjoys dance, is an avid reader and soccer mum! She lives in Onehunga, Auckland with her husband Charles, and their three children, Imogen (9), Augustine (5) and Benedict (3). They are active members of St James Anglican Church in Māngere Bridge.