OpenTheo

Losing Hope? A Discussion on God & the Reality of Suffering | Alister McGrath & Alan Lightman

The Veritas Forum — The Veritas Forum

Losing Hope? A Discussion on God & the Reality of Suffering | Alister McGrath & Alan Lightman

February 9, 2021
The Veritas Forum
The Veritas Forum

Dr. Alan Lightman, Author and MIT Professor and Physicist, and Dr. Alister McGrath, Oxford Professor of Science and Religion, explore questions of suffering, hope, and the possibility of God through the lenses of their individual worldviews.

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditCopy Link

Transcript

More From The Veritas Forum

Truth and Science | A Christian, Muslim, and Atheist Discuss
Truth and Science | A Christian, Muslim, and Atheist Discuss
The Veritas Forum
February 16, 2021
In this episode we hear from three different world views including a Christian (Kirk Durston), a Muslim (Imam Hosam Helal), and an Atheist (Matt Monro
The Origin of Humanity: Adam, Eve, and Evolution | Josh Swamidass & Nathan Lents
The Origin of Humanity: Adam, Eve, and Evolution | Josh Swamidass & Nathan Lents
The Veritas Forum
February 23, 2021
In this discussion between Christian and Atheist scientists, Josh Swamidass and Nathan Lents, they explore the building blocks of life, behavior, our
Human Identity and the Meaning of Artificial Intelligence | Joshua Swamidass
Human Identity and the Meaning of Artificial Intelligence | Joshua Swamidass
The Veritas Forum
March 2, 2021
A Conversation with a Secular Humanist, Jurist and Law Professor, Ryan Calo, and a Christian, Scientist and Bioengineer Professor, Josh Swamidass, abo
The Lost Art of Dying | Dr. Lydia Dugdale
The Lost Art of Dying | Dr. Lydia Dugdale
The Veritas Forum
February 2, 2021
Lydia Dugdale — Medical Doctor, Physician, and Ethicist — discusses the Lost art of Dying in this interview conducted by USC student Quincy Guenther.
Politics, Science (&) Faith in the Era of Covid-19
Politics, Science (&) Faith in the Era of Covid-19
The Veritas Forum
January 26, 2021
A discussion about the history underlying mistrust of medical science, the development of the COVID-19 vaccines, and faith-informed responses to the p
Cosmic Chemistry: Do Science and God Mix? | Dr. John Lennox
Cosmic Chemistry: Do Science and God Mix? | Dr. John Lennox
The Veritas Forum
January 19, 2021
Oxford Professor Emeritus John Lennox, Mathematician and Philosopher of Science presents his reasoning for the link between science and belief in God.
More From "The Veritas Forum"

More on OpenTheo

An Invitation to the 2026 Coram Deo Pastors Conference
An Invitation to the 2026 Coram Deo Pastors Conference
Life and Books and Everything
February 18, 2026
"I love being a pastor, and I love pastors, which is why I hope you will consider joining us at the Coram Deo Pastors Conference in 2026." —Kevin DeYo
How Do I Determine Which Topics at Work Are Worth Commenting On?
How Do I Determine Which Topics at Work Are Worth Commenting On?
#STRask
January 5, 2026
Questions about how to determine which topics at work are worth commenting on, and a good way to respond when you’re in a group Bible study and hear e
Does Open-Mindedness Require Studying Other Religions Before Becoming a Christian?
Does Open-Mindedness Require Studying Other Religions Before Becoming a Christian?
#STRask
February 9, 2026
Questions about the claim that if Christians really want to be open-minded, they need to read and study other religions before committing to Christian
Why Should We Pray If God Already Knows What’s Going to Happen?
Why Should We Pray If God Already Knows What’s Going to Happen?
#STRask
January 29, 2026
Questions about why we should pray if God already knows what’s going to happen, how the effectiveness of prayer is measured, and whether or not things
Are Demon Possessions and Exorcisms in the New Testament Literal?
Are Demon Possessions and Exorcisms in the New Testament Literal?
#STRask
December 11, 2025
Questions about whether references to demon possessions and exorcisms in the New Testament are literal, how to talk to young children about ghosts, an
Christmas Cranks and Christmas Blessings with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Christmas Cranks and Christmas Blessings with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Life and Books and Everything
December 17, 2025
If you are looking for a podcast where three friends talk about whatever they want to talk about and ramble on about sports, books, and grievances, th
Life and Ministry in Charlotte and in the SBC with Clint Pressley
Life and Ministry in Charlotte and in the SBC with Clint Pressley
Life and Books and Everything
December 15, 2025
In a rare cultural anomaly that may never be repeated in our lifetimes, the current SBC President and current PCA Moderator live in the same neighborh
Keri Ingraham: School Choice and Education Reform
Keri Ingraham: School Choice and Education Reform
Knight & Rose Show
January 24, 2026
Wintery Knight and guest host Bonnie welcome Dr. Keri Ingraham to discuss school choice and education reform. They discuss the public school monopoly'
What Is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives if He Doesn’t Give Us Instructions?
What Is the Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives if He Doesn’t Give Us Instructions?
#STRask
February 23, 2026
Questions about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives, advice for someone who believes in God intellectually but struggles to understand how to hav
Did Jesus Prove He Wasn’t Sinless When He Overturned the Tables?
Did Jesus Prove He Wasn’t Sinless When He Overturned the Tables?
#STRask
December 29, 2025
Questions about whether Jesus proved he wasn’t sinless when he overturned the tables, whether Jesus’ response to the Pharisees in Mark 3:22–26 was a b
How Do You Justify Calling Jesus the Messiah?
How Do You Justify Calling Jesus the Messiah?
#STRask
December 18, 2025
Questions about how one can justify calling Jesus the Messiah when he didn’t fulfill the Hebrew messianic prophecies, and whether the reason for the v
Protestants and Catholics: What’s the Difference? With Chad Van Dixhoorn, Blair Smith, and Mark McDowell
Protestants and Catholics: What’s the Difference? With Chad Van Dixhoorn, Blair Smith, and Mark McDowell
Life and Books and Everything
November 26, 2025
How should Protestants think about the Catholic Mass? About the Eucharist? About the history and development of the papacy? In this panel discussion,
Does God Hear the Prayers of Non-Believers?
Does God Hear the Prayers of Non-Believers?
#STRask
February 26, 2026
Questions about whether or not God hears and answers the prayers of non-believers, and thoughts about a church sign that reads (as if from God), “Just
The Best of Times and the Worst of Times with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
The Best of Times and the Worst of Times with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Life and Books and Everything
March 10, 2026
If you don’t like freewheeling conversation, laughter, and banter among friends, then this may not be the episode for you. But if you are interested i
How Would You Convince Someone That Evil Exists?
How Would You Convince Someone That Evil Exists?
#STRask
November 17, 2025
Questions about how to convince someone that evil exists, whether Charlie Kirk’s murder was part of God’s plan, whether that would mean the murderer d