I got an email from a certain publication announcing a certain lecture by a certain New Testament scholar in a certain state in the United States. Here’s the advert

God, the Bible and Human Suffering – Bart Ehrman explores perhaps the greatest religious and philosophical issue that anyone can grapple with: the problem of suffering. A specialist in the New Testament and early Christianity, Ehrman will guide you through this complex topic, paying particular attention to the Bible’s viewpoint on the problem.

Let me save you some money. Here’s what Ehrman will say. 1- there is no god. 2- suffering is just a part of life. 3- don’t worry, be happy. Since Ehrman doesn’t take the bible very seriously (how could he, he doesn’t think there’s a god, which makes the bible nothing more than interesting albeit ancient and arcane silly literature), he can’t possibly be fair in his representation of what it says. Ergo, his interpretation of such an intriguing theological question will be pointless. One can’t speak theologically if one doesn’t think there’s a theos.