If God Is Good: Why Do We Hurt?
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4.4 • 22 Ratings
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- $1.99
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- $1.99
Publisher Description
The encouragement we crave—when we’re most in need
Out of the deepest hurts of the human condition, Randy Alcorn brings into clear focus our most pressing questions about evil and suffering—including those that wrench our souls when we or someone we love is victimized by evil or assaulted by disease.
He faces these questions with seasoned sensitivity, skillful insight, and a heart of compassion. He dodges none of the difficulties, and never lapses into platitudes, hand-wringing, or oversimplification.
On this troubling but inescapable topic, you’ll find frank acknowledgment of the inherent limitations that set humanity apart from the God who has none. There’s also generous, real encouragement that brings God nearer in our understanding when we need His comfort the most. And amid our heavy doubts and swirling confusion on this topic, Randy Alcorn points us ultimately toward Jesus as “the only answer bigger than the questions.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The crossover fiction and nonfiction author of the half-million selling Heaven throws down a heavy response to a spate of recent bestselling atheism books. Because the main argument of atheists against the existence of God is suffering in the world, Alcorn lays out a weighty and classically reasoned argument to the problem of suffering in this thoroughly modern book. His biggest trump card is that atheists were hardly the first to ask about suffering and evil. Ancient writers did, and "the fact that the Bible raises the problem of evil gives us full permission to do so." Evil and suffering are addressed in tandem but approached differently. Evil comes from human rebellion or sin, and suffering is a secondary evil brought on by that primary evil. By granting free will to humanity, God allows for an eternal good that humans don't always see now but will experience in the life to come if faithful. Not academic but well-reasoned, Alcorn may not convince atheists, but apart from them readership is wide open.
Customer Reviews
A Tough Topic Handled With Grace & Truth
Another Randy Alcorn booklet I've recently read is If God is Good: Why Do We Hurt? A few years ago Megan purchased the 500-page version for me, but it continues to be a part of a stack of books I've yet to tackle. I was able to read the 75-page booklet on a recent trip, and if you desire to have a better understanding about the hurts of the world, Randy Alcorn can provide you the answers to this not so fun topic. As in previous books I've read by Mr. Alcorn, you'll find his answers supported by pages of Scripture. Below are the questions Mr. Alcorn, a man who has certainly experienced some suffering, handles with grace and truth. Check it out.
Introduction: The Search We All Share
How Is Suffering Related to Evil?
Where Do Evil and Suffering Come From?
What Causes Natural Disasters?
What Common Explanations Are Given for Evil and Suffering?
Doesn't the Reality of Evil and Suffering Expose God's Limitations?
Why Doesn't God Immediately Bring Evil and Suffering to an End?
Why Doesn't God Eliminate the Worst Forms of Evil and Suffering?
Can We Be Sure That Someday We'll Be Free of Suffering and Evil?
How True Are the "Health and Wealth Theology" Claims About Escaping Suffering?
Why Hasn't God Made the Reasons for Our Suffering More Clear?
Can We Really Trust God to Use Our Suffering for Good?
Is Suffering Really Necessary to Build Our Character?
What's the Right Way to Respond to Our Suffering?
Since Suffering Is Inevitable, How Can I Prepare for It?
Jesus - The Only Answer Bigger Than the Questions
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18