WAD Summit confronts one of faith’s hardest questions as Dr. Frank Hansel Says God’s Goodness Remains the Anchor Amid Suffering
BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, Nigeria — June 30, 2026 “Why does suffering exist in a world created by a good and all-powerful God?” This was the crux of the discourse as Dr. Frank Hansel of the General Conference Biblical Research Institute, US addressed over 3,000 delegates from 22 member countries in the region gathered in Babcock University for the West-Central Africa Division (WAD) Bible Conference and Leadership Summit, themed “Grounded in the Bible, Focused on the Mission.”
In his presentation, The Problem of Suffering,. He acknowledged the difficulty of the question. “This is one of the most difficult questions to answer,” he said. “People always ask how a perfectly good God can exist amidst the pain and suffering in this world.”
He said the difficulty lies in man’s finite mind trying to grasp an infinite concept, likening it to explaining love to someone who has never experienced it—some realities transcend human explanation.
Even so, Dr. Hansel outlined three common but flawed responses: denying God’s supreme goodness or power, claiming evil is necessary to highlight God’s goodness, or suggesting God is good only sometimes. He emphasized instead that Scripture is clear: God’s goodness endures forever.
He said the Biblical response is very clear that God is good, and that gives us hope because it says His goodness endures forever. He says because suffering affects real people, why it happens is not a question based on abstract theology but must be grounded in Scripture’s testimony of a God who is both powerful and good.
“The Bible does not minimize pain,” Dr. Hansel said. “But it does affirm that God’s character is not in question because of our pain.” He explained that evil exists because of humanity’s misuse of free will—true love requires freedom, not coercion. He also highlighted the cosmic conflict between good and evil, noting that suffering is temporary and will ultimately be destroyed by God.
Hansel further challenged misconceptions such as the immortality of the soul, stressing that a good God would not create humans to suffer eternally. Instead, Scripture assures believers that evil and suffering will not continue perpetually.
Summit context: The session underscored the Summit’s theme, “Grounded in the Bible, Focused on the Mission,” and its purpose: to strengthen pastors, scholars, and leaders in grounding their faith in Scripture while preparing the church for global mission.
Josephine Akarue is Deputy Director of Babcock University’s Department of Communication, Media and Branding
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