John Wesley on Suffering and God's Justice: The General Deliverance with Jerome Van Kuiken

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jerome Van Kuiken (Oklahoma Wesleyan University) to discuss John Wesley’s profound sermon "The General Deliverance." This sermon tackles one of the hardest questions in Christian theology: How can a just and loving God respond to a world filled with unjust suffering? Wesley’s reflections on one aspect of the problem of evil. He argues that God’s justice and mercy extend not only to humanity but to all creation (including animals), offering a hopeful vision of redemption and renewal. In our conversation, Dr. Van Kuiken unpacks Wesley’s approach to theodicy, the question of suffering in Christian thought, and the ultimate hope of God’s deliverance for both people and the created order. We also talk about John Wesley's influence on C. S. Lewis in The Problem of Pain and the Chronicles of Narnia.  👉 Whether you’re a pastor, theologian, or simply wrestling with the question of evil and suffering, this discussion offers rich theological insight and practical hope. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of theology, Scripture, and contemporary issues. Books by Jerome Van Kuiken The Creed We Need: Nicene Faith for Wesleyan Witness The Judas We Never Knew: A Study on the Life and Letter of Jude Read "The General Deliverance" by John Wesley  https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-60-the-general-deliverance/   Did John Wesley's eschatology develop from heaven to new creation? Randy Maddox takes up that question in Responsible Grace, pages 252-253. Get it here: https://amzn.to/4mXdrhZ   ------- GET UPDATES FROM THEOLOGY PROJECT https://www.theologyproject.online/subscribe MATT'S BRAND NEW BOOKS Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification https://amzn.to/4gOn4gN (print) https://amzn.to/47pttuz (Kindle) GET THE VIDEOS https://my.seedbed.com/product/free-to-be-holy/ Reconstructing Methodism: Crucial Issues Facing the Global Methodist Church https://amzn.to/3TnkYKS MATT'S OTHER BOOKS Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice https://amzn.to/2xOJmyj The Letters to the Thessalonians (w/ videos) https://amzn.to/3B0m6su Bless the Nations https://amzn.to/3eEpiiF SOCIAL https://www.instagram.com/mattoreillyauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/mattoreillyauthor https://www.facebook.com/theologyprojectonline https://twitter.com/mporeilly VISIT https://www.theologyproject.online https://christchurchbham.com   This page contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.