1. Term

The term “suffering” describes the involvement of all life in finitude and vulnerability. As a rule, distinction is made between social, psychological, intellectual, and physical dimensions. Each affects the sufferer as a whole. Anxiety and grief are mainly but not exclusively emotional. In some recent discussions suffering has been more fully ascribed to organic and inorganic nature.

Theologically, the experience of suffering calls for discussion in the doctrine of God. The quest…