Three perspectives on the problem of tragedy and suffering–-atheistic-materialistic (AM), theistic-sovereign (TS), and theistic-consoling (TC)–-arc related to findings and implications of recent research on the near-death experience (NDE). The classic theodicic problem is the question of how to reconcile human tragedy and suffering with a supremely loving and powerful God. AM assumptions preclude the problem: since “God” is preempted by a materialist ontology, there is no divine entity with whom tragedy must be reconciled. The TS and TC perspectives acknowledge but emphasize alternative features of God, namely, sovereignty and love, respectively. Overall, NDE research is relevant and partially helpful–-but not definitive–-with respect to an evaluation of the three perspectives on the problem of tragedy and suffering.
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