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- A Simple but Poweful Argument
- "The full acting out of the self's surrender to God therefore demands pain"
- Problem of Pain
- The Problem of Pain in its Right Context
- Absolutely Amazing Tackling of the Issue
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The Problem of Pain
C. S. Lewis
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ASIN: 0060652969
Release Date: 2001-02-05 |
Amazon.com
The Problem of Pain answers the universal question, "Why would an all-loving, all-knowing God allow people to experience pain and suffering?" Master Christian apologist C.S. Lewis asserts that pain is a problem because our finite, human minds selfishly believe that pain-free lives would prove that God loves us. In truth, by asking for this, we want God to love us less, not more than he does. "Love, in its own nature, demands the perfecting of the beloved; that the mere 'kindness' which tolerates anything except suffering in its object is, in that respect at the opposite pole from Love." In addressing "Divine Omnipotence," "Human Wickedness," "Human Pain," and "Heaven," Lewis succeeds in lifting the reader from his frame of reference by artfully capitulating these topics into a conversational tone, which makes his assertions easy to swallow and even easier to digest. Lewis is straightforward in aim as well as honest about his impediments, saying, "I am not arguing that pain is not painful. Pain hurts. I am only trying to show that the old Christian doctrine that being made perfect through suffering is not incredible. To prove it palatable is beyond my design." The mind is expanded, God is magnified, and the reader is reminded that he is not the center of the universe as Lewis carefully rolls through the dissertation that suffering is God's will in preparing the believer for heaven and for the full weight of glory that awaits him there. While many of us naively wish that God had designed a "less glorious and less arduous destiny" for his children, the fortune lies in Lewis's inclination to set us straight with his charming wit and pious mind. --Jill Heatherly
Book Description
Why must humanity suffer? In this elegant and thoughtful work, C. S. Lewis questions the pain and suffering that occur everyday and how this contrasts with the notion of a God that is both omnipotent and good. An answer to this critical theological problem is found within these pages.
Customer Reviews:
A Simple but Poweful Argument.......2007-09-19
C.S. Lewis offers a brilliant defense of Christian theism despite the pain in the world in this brief book. Combining sharp thinking and excellent prose, this book is highly recommended for Christians and non-Christians alike.
Lewis's arguments are similar to many theodicies (defenses of God's existence despite suffering) developed by great Christian thinkers past and present. Man's suffering is in fact a result of free will, not an original creation of God. And suffering continues to result due to the evil wills and deeds of men. As Lewis observes, "When souls become wicked they will certainly use this possibility to hurt one another; and this, perhaps, accounts for four-fifths of the sufferings of men." If men are to have any significant free will at all, the bad consequences of evil deeds must be allowed.
This, of course, leaves the problem of so-called natural evil. Lewis contends that such evil and pain are necessary for our own repentance. In order to recognize our sins and ask God for forgiveness (and thus restore the proper relationship between created and Creator) we humans must be awoken with pain and suffering. Pain shatters the notion that what we have is ours and is good enough.
The Problem of Pain, despite its brevity, covers a great deal of ground, including a defense of the doctrine of the fall and the doctrines of heaven and hell. All throughout, Lewis's writing style is accessible and convincing. For a powerful defense of Christian theism in the face of a cruel world, "The Problem of Pain" is highly recommended.
"The full acting out of the self's surrender to God therefore demands pain".......2007-07-13
"Try to exclude the possibility of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free wills involve, and you find that you have excluded life itself."
Another serious and powerful work in a long series by C.S. Lewis: why must we suffer, mentally and physically? He hits on subjects we all struggle with. Lewis detests the doctrine of hell, but it is written, so it must be discussed. The chapter on animal suffering is fascinating. The only chapter that led me to question his words is on man's fall.
On human wickedness: "A God who did not regard this with unappeasable distaste would not be a good being. We cannot even wish for such a God----it is like wishing that every nose in the universe were abolished, that smell of hay or roses or the sea should never again delight any creature, because our own breath happens to stink."
On saving grace: "The dangers of apparent self-sufficiency explain why Our Lord regards the vices of the feckless and dissipated so much more leniently than the vices that lead to worldly success. Prostitutes are in no danger of finding their present life so satisfactory that they cannot turn to God: the proud, the avaricious, the self-righteous, are in that danger."
By the Lord's love we suffer; this strengthens, and it also keeps us on the straight and narrow. If we are to look for easiness, then we are to look for less love. It is for our sake.
"The full acting out of the self's surrender to God therefore demands pain: this action, to be perfect, must be done from the pure will to obey, in the absence, or in the teeth, of inclination. How impossible it is to enact the surrender of the self by doing what we like,..........."
After finishing the book, a thought on heaven came to my mind:
The differences are what makes up a community whether here or in heaven: God has created us after a time where all was God (but that is no more!); we are all unique parts to a puzzle. He needs us all back to complete it----to rejoin our family in heaven; it pangs Him that many will not make it, and choose to ignore their created purpose, because they have surrendered to the self and not to the Lord. Once all was God, but after the creation all has changed; we are asked to be with God because we are of God. We are distinct here on earth, but the maximum distinction awaits us in heaven, to be reunited with our Creator.
Wish you well
Scott
Problem of Pain.......2007-05-30
Excellent book by C. S. Lewis. Used for adult Bible Study discussion group.
The Problem of Pain in its Right Context.......2007-05-01
Pain is real, just as sorrow, death, and wickedness. Your becoming a Christian will not encapsulate you away from it. Christ did not promise that in the first place. But there are reasons why pain happens, as much to Christians as non Christians, and we should reach a better understanding of the circumstances in which we live, so that we can apprehend the promises that are envolved through that pain. Everyone is to pick up a cross at childbirth, but whether you follow Christ with it depends only on you.
This book won't be the treat that 'Mere Christianity' was. It's more philosophical; it assumes the reader is a Christian and has some knowledge of Scripture. But nevertheless, everyone can follow his thinking and it will all make sense. About 160 pages, it has chapters of between 10 and 20 pages, and frames the problem in its right context before reaching his conclusion at the end of the book. This is not a make-you-feel-good (dumb) self-help book. It's a make you understand book.
Absolutely Amazing Tackling of the Issue.......2007-04-15
The first book of CS Lewis I read was "Mere Christianity" and I was profoundly stunned by how effective and witty he could be in his explanation of Christianity and Christian doctrine. So it was with eagerness that I devoted myself to the reading of this book.
And I was not disappointed in the least. The problem of pain is tightly linked with that of evil, in a world supposedly created and led by God. This is one of the most common, and most important, issues in theology, and I dare say, in everybody's life, provided they're somewhat curious about the world they live in. Justifying God on the counts of evil and pain is called theodicy, if I'm not mistaken, and that is what Lewis does in this book, but he does much more.
He deals with the basic problem I just mentioned, how could there be a good God when we live in such a wretched world, but he goes further and treats the human nature as "fallen", and that in a very interesting manner, not your silly Adam & Eve story taken literally (and by "silly" I don't mean the actual myth of Adam & Eve, just the literal taking of it).
Lewis tackles even such a complicated issue as animal pain and the condition of animals in Christianity. That shows quite some bravery.
One chapter is devoted to Hell, and another to Heaven, and either are really amazing prowess of theology. I'm no specialist of theology, but Lewis has a true gift in explaining of all this in a very clear fashion. He truly makes theology a thrilling matter!
After having read "Mere Christianity" and "The Problem of Pain", I'm absolutely convinced that I will get to read everything he wrote on theology, Christianity, and the likes. Regardless of your actual faith or lack thereof, you will find this book (or these books) worth your while. If you're interested in such things, please do yourself a favour and purchase those profoundly marvelous books.
Book Description
The popular unabridged recordings of The Chronicles of Narnia, previously released, are now repackaged and rejacketed with adult art in time for the first Narnia film coming from Disney at Christmastime 2005!
Customer Reviews:
CS Lewis CD collection of 4 great books.......2007-09-06
The reading of each book was complete and well done. I had started 2 of these as books, "Mere Christianity" and "The Great Divorce", but I never seemed to find time to read them. I can listen to the CDs working around the house or in the car. "The Screwtape Letters" were great. A real reminder how clever satan is at making you think that the issue is solely yourself or others. He is called the deceiver for a very good reason. "Mere Christianity" is a very thoughtful book and one worth discussing with others (Book Club, Book study etc.) "The Great Divorce" has nothing to do with marriage, but our divorce from God and how he wants the best for us and we settle for so much less. After listening to this book you will make decisions differently. "The Problem with Pain" is intense. C.S. Lewis is indeed a critical thinker. Pain is the result of the fall from grace and about how grace restores you (much different from curing you). Each time you listen to one of these CDs you will learn more about yourself, God and your relationship with Him. If you are not certain of who God is and is satan is real these CDs will be very helpful.
An outstanding and challenging series.......2007-08-23
There are few books that make you stop and take an accounting of who you are, what you're about and how you fit into time and the universe more than Mere Christianity. While it was originally a radio series (BBC) broadcast during WWII, it's approach is as applicable now as it was then or at any point in time.
If you have any doubts, concerns or interests regarding the existance of God and/or how we relate to Him; if you're searching for Truth (with a capital "T") you will find some of your answers here.
The approach is non-denominational and non- doctrinal. CS Lewis speaks of basic easy to grasp universal concepts rather than lofty dogma. Mere Christianity is and has been a modern classic that can be read and re-read with passion not only for they who search but also for they who have found answers to basic questions we all pose while here on earth
Incredible.......2007-03-29
Of course Lewis' books are great (we all know that) but the narrators in this package of books are spectacular. The narrator for The Screwtape Letters is uncanny (and eerie) in his reading.
The narrators truly make this a first class product. I highly recommend!
excellent.......2007-03-19
Some readers obviously don't understand the material. Others deliver it well enough, but don't sound authentic. Not this time. If I didn't know better, I would say C.S. Lewis himself was reading this book. It has been a pure delight to revisit these classics in audio form. I strongly recommend it.
Outstanding Audio Series - Worth the time........2007-01-11
I like to read, but I found this audio collection to be outstanding. I felt I got more out of his books listening to them, then actually reading them. He is very deep and concentrated in his thoughts and ideas, and it helped me immensely in my understanding and appreciation for who CS Lewis is and how he write.
I am a seminary student, and consider CS Lewis to be a modern day Apostle Paul. If you find reading CS Lewis difficult, I suggest you try the audio books, there is something about having someone read to you, and being able to comprehend it better.
Thanks Amazon for providing this series!
Product Description
How have I gone from being a defender of Christianity to an atheist? That is the question of this book. I was a Christian apologist set for the express purpose of defending Christianity from intellectual attacks. I was not afraid of any idea, because I was convinced that Christianity was true and could withstand all attacks. Now I turn that same intellectual muscle into questioning the things I formerly defended.
There are three major experiences that happened in my life that changed my thinking. They all happened in the space of about five years, from 1991-1996. They are: 1) A major crisis, 2) plus information, 3) minus a sense of a loving, caring, Christian community. For me it was an assault of major proportions that if I still believed in the devil would say it was orchestrated by the legions of hell.
Afterward I began to doubt the very things I had previously argued for. You see, I knew most of the arguments against Christianity, and as a philosophy instructor in a secular college I could debate both sides of most any argument. Anyway, I have told people time and time again that I could teach philosophy until I was blue in the face so long as I knew I had a loving, caring, and faithful Christian community to fall back on after my class is over. When that fell through the floor, the doubts crept in my life.
As the doubts crept in, my life changed, and so did my thinking. This book shares both the experiences that changed my life, and focuses on the ideas that I now reject. It is a look at Christianity from an insider's perspective from start to finish.
Customer Reviews:
This is the best single overall refutation of Christianity you can buy!.......2007-10-08
I was raised in a Christian Fundamentalist home my whole life. From first through 12th grade I was home schooled, and was taught everything through the Christian fundamentalist lense. After High school I attended a hyper fundamentalist place called Honor Academy. At Honor Academy I gained interest in philosophy and Christian apologetics and decided to dedicate my life to Christian apologetics. I am 23 now and since then I have read hundreds of Christian Apologetics books. I have read all of Lewis, all of Schaeffer, all of Peter Kreeft, all of Dr. Geisler's books, including his encyclopedia A-Z twice, and his Systematic Theology twice, I have read Plantinga, McDowell, Craig, Ravi, Moreland, Holding, Swinburne, N.T Wright, Paul Copan, R.C Sproul, Van Til, Gary Habermas, Lee Strobel, David Noebel, Francis Beckwith, Chuck Colson, Nancy Pearcy, Chesterton, Stuart C. Hacket, Martin, Richard Purtill, and many other Christian Philosophers and theologians . I was until recently enrolled at Dr. Geisler's school to study apologetics and philosophy.
This year I decided in order to be fair and honest to read all the top skeptical books on religion. So I did some research and made a list of over 100 books. I am now at book 76 and consider myself a confident Atheist. This book was one of the first I read. I was drawn to it since Mr. Loftus used to be an Apologist. This was the first skeptical book I read that made me seriously realize that I could be dead wrong! I hope Mr. Loftus keeps on writing, the market is very strongly in need of literature like his.
I think this book is the best single overall refutation of Christianity written, especially at the popular level. I think this book is superior for multiple reasons.
1. Its scope and coverage is more exhaustive on issues crucial to Christianity then other books.
2. Mr. Loftus anticipate objections from Christian philosophers and theologians that most skeptics do not, due to their lack of familiarity with the other side.
3. The book packs so much in such a little space, it has amazing brevity and at the same time brilliantly dismantles many core Christian beliefs and deals with many central issues that are left out of other works
4. The authors familiarity with Christian Theology and philosophy makes him much better at drawing fine and important distinctions that other skeptics miss, due to their lack of expertise of the other side.
5. The personal Deconversion narrative woven through out the book gives it an informal and personal touch that makes it more fascinating to read than other skeptical books. Plus he is the only skeptical author that I know of that was a highly competent Christian Apologist and Philosopher, this of course is another unique feature.
6. The authors non-abrasive style sets your book apart from many other skeptic books. He wrote the book in such a way as not to polarize the believer. The average believer would be much more likely to read this book than other similar books due to his respectful manner. This I congratulate him on.
There are many other noble things about his book. But basically what I am saying is that I think Mr. Loftus has written by far the best single overall refutation of Christianity in print! This is the best book to give to a believer. If I could only pick one book for my Christian friends to read, this book by far wins, no contest. If your a skeptic you should buy multiple copies for your friends and family, and if your a believer you should do yourself a favor and buy copies for yourself and your friends and start honestly examining the claims of Christianity from both sides.
This guy was no apologist.......2007-10-08
The title of this book is a little bit misleading. This guys claims that he was formerly an "apologist." Unfortunately, having a head full of knowledge, answers, etc. does not an apologist make. A true apologist is able to look at the philosophy of atheism (or any other competing worldview/religion) and recognize the internal flaws and inconsistencies of the philosophy.
Atheism is full of poor philosophy (begging the question, special pleading, etc.), and a true apologist would not only be familiar with the objections presented toward Christianity by atheism, but would have an understanding of why the atheist's arguments are flawed. Being familiar with their arguments is worthless if a theologian is unable to explain the internal inconsistencies and poor philosophy.
On to the substance of the book...
As stated in many of the comments here, this is just a guy who threw a temper tantrum when things didn't turn out the way he wanted them to. He blames God for the way God's people act as a result. This is absolutely ridiculous...if someone were to have a child, and that child were to grow up and murder someone on their own free will, would the parent stand trial.
Enough said...I feel sorry for this guy, but his ad hominem arguments and senseless ramblings aren't worth your money. He tried to do something - and expected others to do something - that nobody can do: live a good, Christian life; and he blames God for the shortcomings of God's children.
Ridiculous.
I feel sorry for any student who has learned "philosophy" from this man.
I know I'll be put to the flames for this, but that's just because the so-called "free thinkers" aren't really "freely thinking."
Catharsis.......2007-09-22
Mr. Loftus has written a thorough treatise on why he rejected his evangelical Christianity and became and atheist. This is not solely a personal account of why he left the church and ministry, although it starts out that way. The book begins with a brief biography, explaining how he became so enamored of evangelical x-tianity that he eventually made the ministry his livelihood. It is particularly honest of Mr. Loftus to quote his early writings in these passages so the reader can see how thoughtful yet profoundly mistaken he was.
The remainder of the book is Mr. Loftus addressing some of the main problems of the Jesus religion and the Bible. He wants the reader to understand that he did not reject x-tianity so he could sin and not feel guilt--his was a thoughtful and scholarly admission that x-tianity cannot be a description of real historical events upon which a person should base her/his life.
If Jesus was a historical figure, about which no one can be certain, he did not perform miracles; he probably didn't die on a cross or tree; and he most certainly didn't arise zombie-like from the dead and scare gullible folk in Palestine before ascending to heaven. The Bible, Loftus comes to understand, is mythologic ramblings of superstitious peasants. The story of Adam and Eve is clearly a fable; there was no universal flood; people don't repent in a whale's gullet and then preach to Nineveh. The Gospels are clearly embellishments of an early god-man myth, the writers of which are clearly trying to convince other people to believe in their brand of x-tianity rather than trying to tell us of real events (to which they could not have been witnesses).
An important fact arises from Mr. Loftus' discussion--intelligent adults rarely becomes x-tians. The author, William Craig Lane, and most people who babble about x-tianity joined before they were thinking clearly (as adolescents), or were inculcated as children. An intelligent outsider would never buy all the baloney that is x-tianity.
After coming to these shocking conclusions, Mr. Loftus was left with no choice but to look at the world rationally and employ healthy skepticism as he re-created his entire world view. The bulk of Mr. Loftus' exegesis is lengthy quotations from John Hick, William Craig Lane, and many apologists from the InterVarsity Press (what a freakshow that place must be!). This is a highly recommended read for those who have the courage to examine the predominant superstition in the United States.
the former and the weasel..........2007-09-04
One thing that both Christianity and Atheism show is that there seems to be no escape from dogmatism for the intelligentsia of all ages throughout the entire history of society. Organisation around ideas is the rule and not the exception within the scope of the human social experience. Case in point: these three sentences.
LOL.......2007-08-17
Another laughable attempt to use logic where there is no bases for it.
You cannot prove or disprove God. This is the only truth.
The author by his own admission is jaded. Not because of truth, but because he had some bad experiences. He can doctor it up however he wants with as many words as he wants but that is the best summary of this book and ones like it.
Amazon.com
Rarely does a book come along that tackles a perennially difficult human issue with such clarity and intelligence. Harold Kushner, a Jewish rabbi facing his own child's fatal illness, deftly guides us through the inadequacies of the traditional answers to the problem of evil, then provides a uniquely practical and compassionate answer that has appealed to millions of readers across all religious creeds. Remarkable for its intensely relevant real-life examples and its fluid prose, this book cannot go unread by anyone who has ever been troubled by the question, "Why me?"
Book Description
For anyone who has ever been hurt by life.
"I knew that one day I would write this book. I would write it out of my own need to put into words some of the most important things I have come to believe and know. And I would write it to help other people who might one day find themselves in a similar predicament. I would write it for an those people who wanted to go on believing, but whose anger at God made it hard for them to hold on to their faith and be comforted by religion. And I would write it for an those people whose love of God and devotion to Him led them to blame themselves for their suffering and persuade themselves that they deserved it."
-- Harold S. Kushner
Customer Reviews:
A incorrect view of God that is devoid of hope.......2007-10-06
I write this review with sensitivity to Rabbi Kushner. He has suffered the great loss of his son. His motivation for writing this book is to distill "some blessing out of Aaron's pain and tears" and perhaps to process and come to grips with how and why God `allows' such incomprehensible and unbearable grief in this life. As Rabbi Kushner says:
"I wanted to write a book that could be given to the person who has been hurt by life--by death, by illness or injury, by rejection or disappointment--and who knows in his heart that if there is justice in the world, he deserved better. What can God mean to such a person? Where can he turn for strength and hope? If you are such a person, if you want to believe in God's goodness and fairness but find it hard because of the things that have happened to you and to people you care about, and if this book helps you do that, then I will have succeeded in distilling some blessing out of Aaron's pain and tears."
Unfortunately I'm not sure this book is helpful because his answer to "the one question which really matters: why do bad things happen to good people?" is untrue. Rabbi Kushner does not believe in scripture other than as a literary and religious work. Therefore he can't find or rely on what God himself says about this question and ends up with only his own speculations.
Rabbi Kushner's God is impotent: concerned by the tragedies of our lives but unable to do anything about it. His belief system started by seeing God as "an all-wise, all-powerful parent figure who would treat us as our earthy parents did, or even better. If we were obedient and deserving, He would reward us. If we got out of line, He would discipline us, reluctantly but firmly. He would protect us from being hurt or from hurting ourselves, and would see to it that we got what we deserved in life." Suffering taught Rabbi Kushner that such an unbiblical world-view was wrong; however his impotent God world view is no less incorrect.
The major contribution of this book is to remind us that people are God's solution to much of this suffering. This is a wonderful corrective to the idea that God should work exclusively by mystical and miraculous methods.
Rabbi Kushner's "only question that matters" can't be answered, not by any secular or religious system. The biblical writers wrestled with the question but didn't offer any neat "fixes" either. The sufferings of Job, for example, were never answered with a reason but only by the character of God himself. I hope that people can find comfort in this book, that Rabbi Kushner's goal has been accomplished. I fear, however, that bad theology (that is lies and misrepresentations about God) only leads to further grief and suffering. What hope or comfort is there in a god that can do nothing in our lives? If a god created this mess and then can't fix it where do we find help?
Far better reading can be found in books by Philip Yancey, C. S. Lewis, and Dallas Willard. Scott Peck's book "A Road Less Traveled" is also helpful, not as an answer but as a guidebook. I also strongly recommend the book "Sacred Romance" by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge.
Emotionally satisfying, but..........2007-10-01
This book claims not to be about theology, but actually that is what it is about from the first word to the last. And Kushner tackles an ancient and difficult theological issue: if God is good and His creation wholly good, why is there evil in the world? Kushner never really answers this question (probably because there is no satisfactory answer to the question as it is stated). And he has the courage to say that he does not really know. In fact, the book is loaded with courageously unanswered questions. This makes the work extremely satisfying on an emotional level. But on an intellectual level, it can leave the reader deeply unsatisfied. Kushner accepts that the world is chaotic; that good people will inevitably have bad things happen to them. He exonerates God by saying God did not create this chaos. In doing so, Kushner wishes to exonerate the God of Judaism from such sins as, among others, the death of innocent children. But by letting God off, he distances the deity from the world. He creates dual realms: one for God and one for us. Kushner's God is not the God of mysticism or pantheism (and some have said, not Judaism). For all its considerable emotional strengths, it seems that Kusnher in this work wants the best of both worlds: he wants to wed the chaotic universe of the atheist, and the good God of the Bible. In the end, it's a troubled marriage.
A great book........2007-10-01
Main reason for purchasing this book was Christopher Barrios death on March 8. He was a six year old Little Angel that became an angel on that date.
His death affected me to no end. It affected my eating and sleeping habits. This book helped me to see things in perspective.
I would recommend this book to anyone trying to cope with the loss of a dear one.
The Only Explanation That Made Sense.............2007-08-20
My mother died of cancer 3 weeks ago (she was only 59) and it made me MAD as hell at God for not saving her. For a while I denied the existence of any diety. A friend recommended this book. I learned I had to change my views about the nature of God.
The traditional "pray to God, he is all powerful, and he will fix everything" belief I was taught as a child no longer applied once my mother got sick and died. Why didn't God answer my prayers? Did he want my mother to suffer, become riddled with tumors, and then die at a young age? Why didn't he help us? Harold Kushner had a similar experience (his son died at age 13) and came to the conclusion that (in a nutshell)God does not heal the sick, stop tornadoes, cure AIDS and Cancer etc. because he can't. He is not all powerful.
I never EVER would have come to this conclusion by myself because it goes against EVERYTHING I was taught as a Christian. If my mother had not died there is NO WAY I would believe God was NOT all powerful. But, in doing some soul searching, that is the only explanation that makes any sense to me. For God to make my mom sick to teach my family a lesson, for a greater good, because she was a bad person, because we did not pray enough, because it was in his divine plan etc. makes no sense to me. All of these explanations offered by my church, my friends, Priests, and fellow believers led me to one conclusion: God did not help me in my time of need and therefore, God was either evil and enjoyed watching us suffer OR there was no God. Now I believe that neither of these conclusions are true. God is simply not omnipotent.
There is no doubt that accepting that God is NOT omnipotent opens up an entirely new can of worms. I had to rethink everything I knew about God and religion. I no longer look to the Bible or to any religious text for answers. I always had my doubts about the Bible. It was written by Men, Gospels were omitted and hidden away etc. It was not written by God himself/herself. Furthermore, each religion has a "Bible" or book of laws, worship, beliefs etc. How is there any way to know which is the correct set of beliefs? In a sense, due to my skepticism about Christianity/Judaism and the Bible's authenticity, it was easier for me to accept that my view of God as an omnipotent diety was flawed. REading this book made alarm bells go off in my head - AHA! Someone else feels exactly how I feel! Someone else, a religious leader, looked around and said "What the hell is going on here?!"
I may not agree with ALL of Kushner's statements (Kushner still believes in the Bible as a holy text, and the word of God, whereas I do not) but I do believe he is onto something. I now believe is that there is a higher power, and that higher power is good. I now look to God for strength - to help me through the tough times. I do not look to him to intervene in my life because I know that, as much as he would like to, he cannot.
Thought Provoking Read. .......2007-07-26
Rabbi Kushner's writing style and brilliant ability to show contrast with real life situations creates an eagerness to read on and an insatiable need to learn more.
From the tone of this book it leads you to assume that Rabbi Kushner is just a lovable human being, rich in modesty and humility.
This is a very short book which will be of value for both religious and non religious people. Whether religious or not, Rabbi Kushner's book has the ability to put a new prayer or creed in your heart, and will also enlighten you to not lose sight of the meaning of life in your life.
People need not wait for some tragedy to come along to pick up this book. Personally, I am not currently dealing with a loss; however, after completing this book I feel more prepared to take on the burden of coping with any unfortunate occurrences, which the future may hold. I bought this book to enable me to pass on comforting words to people close to me which were going through some tough times in their life.
The majority of the readers of this book has mis-interpreted this book primarily from the misquoting of the title of the book. If you get the title wrong then this book will not serve its proper purpose to you.
If you seek a bridge to the New Testament read Melvin Tinker's "Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People". In Tinker's "Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People" you will find a more expanded interpretation of the Book of Job and other important passages in the New Testament that delivers what Kushner could not due to his commitment and belief in the Jewish faith. In my judgment, the two merged will give you a wider scope of learning.
Book Description
An examination of what is entailed by pledging allegiance to a constitutional text and tradition saturated with concessions to evil. The Constitution of the United States was originally understood as an effort to mediate controversies between persons who disputed fundamental values, and did not offer a vision of good society. In order to form a ‘more perfect union’ with slaveholders, late eighteenth century citizens fashioned a constitution that plainly compelled some injustices and was silent or ambiguous on other questions of fundamental right. This constitutional relationship could survive only as long as a bisectional consensus was required to resolve all constitutional questions not settled in 1787. Dred Scott challenges persons committed to human freedom to determine whether antislavery northerners should have provided more accommodations for slavery than were constitutionally strictly necessary or risked the enormous destruction of life and property that preceded Lincoln's new birth of freedom.
Customer Reviews:
Problematic analytical tools hurt value of this book.......2006-11-20
This is an interesting effort to revive the horrible historical reputation of the dreadful Dred Scott decision. Although well researched and written in a smooth style, I question the use of 20th and 21st Century contract law analysis to criticize Lincoln's view of slavery restriction in the territories. Also, Graber limits his view of Madison's thoughts on slavery in the territories to the period around the Missouri Compromise. Later in life, Madison did accept that the Constitution provided Congress with the legislative discretion to ban slavery there. Graber appears to argue throughout the book that the Constitution required compromise on the slavery issue. Congress had the right to ban slavery there and nothing in the Constitution limited citizenship to whites. Just because the people of the time were divided on both notions does not mean that such public opinion is controlling. Waiting for majorities to catch up on such issues dispels any need for judicial review, does it not? When the slavocracy leaders of the South fought tooth and nail to end the Missouri Compromise, many in the North felt there was no requirement to continue to give in to the South's wishes. Give them Nebraska, they wanted Cuba and Mexico. That's required in the Constitution? Reading this book was worthwhile. I was just disappointed in the penchant of the author to support his views with incomplete or undeveloped arguments. Nice research, subpar analysis.
Book Description
Is God to blame? This is often the question that comes to mind when we confront real suffering in our own lives or in the lives of those we love. Pastor Gregory A. Boyd helps us deal with this question honestly and biblically, while avoiding glib answers. Writing for ordinary Christians, Boyd wrestles with a variety of answers that have been offered by theologians and pastors in the past. He finds that a fully Christian approach must keep the person and work of Jesus Christ at the very center of what we say about human suffering and God's place in it. Yet this is often just what is missing and what makes so much talk about the subject seem inadequate and at times even misleading. What comes through in Is God to Blame? is a hopeful picture of a sovereign God who is relentlessly opposed to evil, who knows our sufferings and who can be trusted to bring us through them to renewed life.
Customer Reviews:
No Two Biblical Interpretations May Coexist .......2006-10-12
I open with a Bible verse from the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 verse 40, "and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well;" Any Biblical literalist who is willing to put that verse into action, I am willing to listen to. In the meantime tremendous quantities of words by certain sectors of the self avowed Biblically correct have been spilled out upon this book in these reviews. A universal anger among certain of the devout permeates an assessment of how God allows free will to act. I am so glad that my fellow man feels free to impose his interpretations of Scripture on me as writ large by God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and him or her self as the case may be. Amateur exegesis at this level is awe inspiring if for nothing more than its intolerant virulence. Obviously, a preponderance of the readers of this book as reflected in these threads are offended by Boyd's proposition that God is not the direct author of every evil event in the world and the cosmos.
Which leads me to the following observation. Boyd musters a plausible case for his theology backed by reasonable Biblical exegesis. Is this book a tour de force by a master theologian? No, but it does represent one possible Bible based exposition of the problems of the authorship and responsibility for evil in the world. The constant reminder that Jesus Christ is the revelation of the one true God who assumed human form for our salvation and edification is paramount to Boyd's knowledge of God. The radical egalitarian love of Jesus is constantly pointed out as the true reflection of God the Father. Other interpretations of scripture are assuredly available, and Boyd makes no exclusive claims for his theology. However, it is the certainty of the correctness of their theology on the part of many in the reviewing population that distresses me. Hidebound doctrinal arguments and positions of self righteousness are tearing the Church apart. The Church is the body of Christ on earth. What are we doing other than the work of Satan? Where is Christian love, tolerance and corrective spirit when needed? Boyd speaks for a kinder gentler God who allows us the freedom to cavort with the devil if we wish. However, he does not attribute responsibility for the results of our iniquity to a master plan of the Lord.
This is the first and last book I will be reviewing that deals with contemporary Christianity. This book came up for me to read in the context of a structured conversation on Augustine and free will. If one looks at my reviews, they will find them centered on the history of the early Church and antiquity. The early Church suffered through just such problems of division as we do today. And to its credit, the early Church always sought to reform and reintegrate the "holier than thou" as exemplified by the Mellitians and Donatists, and it attempted to rehabilitate and bring back into communion its heretics. Each soul and life is and was precious to God. It was only later that the Church burned dissenters and heretics at the stake. And please remember, the author of this book is not some "new age" liberal theologian. He is a respected scholar at a conservative mid-western theological seminary. He is also the pastor of a major evangelical church in St. Paul, Minnesota. And yes, he has lost over twenty percent of his flock because of his theology and writings. I can only suggest that one reads and reflects on this book and makes up their own mind as to whether Boyd is right or wrong. If the idea of God as author of all evil in the world as part of His inscrutable plan for His creation disturbs you, this book will present an alternate, albeit hotly contested, look at the issue. It was in 1919 when one of the most brilliant minds of the 20th Century, Bertrand Russell, at the end of World War One stated and I paraphrase, "If this war was part of your God's divine plan, I do not wish to know Him." Do not Christians wish God to be known to all men?
Not all things that happen are God's will.......2006-05-25
Boyd explores the idea that not everything that happens in our world is God's will. He develops the thesis that we were created with true free will, which necessitates the possibility of things happening which God does not want to happen. The practical implication in regards to suffering is that when we suffer, God suffers with us, rather than causing our suffering for some higher purpose.
Another idea Boyd discusses is that rather than God's will being something which is inscrutable and creation being relatively simple, he suggests that God's will is easy to understand (it is demonstrated in Jesus Christ), but creation is incomprehensibly complicated.
Boyd emphaszies that our starting point in understanding God's character needs to be Jesus Christ. He is our starting point. Everything we need to know about God was revealed in Him. Starting from here, he seeks to develop a theology of suffering which is consistent with the picture of God which Jesus Christ presented.
A balanced view of Evil.......2005-09-19
This is a great book with a balanced view of evil. This book is a shorter version of Satan and the problem of Evil, by the same author. This book presents a theology that explains the problem of evil in a way that the layperson can fully understand how a God of Love can also be a God of Wrath. It presents a realistic theology dealing with Satan and the fallen angels, and mankind's responsibility for evil in this world. This book does all these things while preserving and even expanding God's sovereignty, and demonstrating that men and women have a free will.
...other books to read.......2005-03-18
For someone who has read some of Boyds books I don't agree with everything he says....he does get you thinking and for thinking people he has compelling answers that shouldnt be tossed aside lightly. We should be thinking reasoning christians not looking for the pat answers that plague so many christian answers to life. Not that we set aside the Biblical truth for our own but likewise we don't discard completely human reason. I find it so interesting to read others reviews that denounce his books with an almost hateful attitude. I have heard that we become just like the God that we revere. If you believe in a god of hate in any form and violence you will most likely become just that. Two other wonderful books that come from another viewpoint but support a God of love and relationship, might be interesting to people who have read this book. They are "Servants or Friends?: Another Look at God" and "Can God be trusted?" both by author Graham Maxwell. These books and I think Boyds books give christian and non christian alike, hope in biblical truth and the truth about the father and the son, that they are both for us not against us...our freedom and his wanting of a relationship with us is paramount.
Shane
Fails as serious response to evil.......2005-01-20
For those enjoying Rabbi Harold Kushner 'Why Bad Things Happen to Good People', this will make a spongy sequel.
If you are serious about answers to the problem of evil in a Good God's world, read the Book of Revelation carefully with a good commentary (Mounce, Alan Johnson, Metzger, More Than Conquerors). Suffering is the way it is in this cursed world, for believers & unbelievers alike. You can either follow the Beast and be in pain-avoidance/rationalizing mode ("I demand answers! I want out!"). Or you can follow the Lamb and see God-authorized suffering/tribulation as redemptive and conformative to Christ Who suffered unbearably, yet conquered ("Thy will be done. We must thru much tribulation enter the Kingdom of God"). Christus Victor!
Book Description
God and the Problem of Evil considers the question of whether the amount of seemingly pointless malice and suffering in our world counts against the rationality of belief in God, a being who is understood to be all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly good.Beginning with historically significant essays by Leibniz and Hume, the book then focuses on contemporary discussions of the problem of evil. The volume concludes with three important articles that sketch an explanation of why God might need to permit the terrible evils that abound in our world.The study of these essays and replies will provide students with a thorough understanding of the central issues involved in the problem of evil.
Book Description
Where does evil come from?
If there is a sovereign creator God, as Christian faith holds, is this God ultimately responsible for evil?
Does God's sovereignty mean that God causes each instance of sin and suffering?
How do Satan, his demons and hell fit into God's providential oversight of all creation and history?
How does God interact with human intention and action?
If people act freely, does God know in particular every human decision before the choice is made? In this important book Gregory A. Boyd mounts a thorough response to these ages-old questions, which remain both crucial and contentious, both practical and complex.In this work Boyd defends his scripturally grounded trinitarian warfare theodicy (presented in God at War) with rigorous philosophical reflection and insights from human experience and scientific discovery. Critiquing the classical Calvinist solution to the problem of evil, he advocates an alternative understanding of the sovereignty of the trinitarian God and of the reality of Satan that sheds light on our fallen human condition. While all may not agree with Boyd's conclusions, Satan and the Problem of Evil promises to advance the church's discussion of these critical issues.
Customer Reviews:
Boyds' best -- an excellent and compelling read.......2007-09-13
I've read a few books by Boyd in which he explores openness theology, and I think this one is the best. I won't attempt to summarize his arguments, but areas that stand out in my mind include his discussion about the necessity and efficacy of prayer and his ideas concerning hell (Chapter 12). His section on "natural evil," which is actually very unnatural, is also especially helpful.
The information is presented in a much more user-friendly manner than in past books. That is, the notes are placed at the bottom of each page for easy access. Difficult theological terms are explained in a glossary of terms and concepts. Boyd also does not fall into the trap this time of citing his own work. (Good heavens, this man must read a lot!) The only problem I have with this book is that now I'm going to have to buy a bunch of other books that he has brought to my attention. Thanks a lot, brother.
When bad things happen to good people............2007-08-07
This is a book that requires a lot of thinking and reflection. It was helpful to have a dictionary close at hand (smile). Dr. Boyd continues on from "God at War" but takes a closer look at the classical positions regarding what it means for God to be "in control", freedom and the origin of evil, risk and the sovereignty of God to mention a few. He also shares a different perspective to the "blueprint" plan. This book is premised on six foundations that structure this trinitarian warfare theodicy and how God interacts with this world as well as their implementation;
1. Love must be freely chosen.
2. Love entails risks.
3. Love and freedom entails that we are morally responsible for one another.
4. The power to influence for the worse must be roughly proportionate to our power to influence for the better.
5. Love entails freedom and this freedom, within limits, must be irrevocable.
6. Angels and humans are finite beings who thus possess only a finite capacity to embrace or thwart God's purposes for our lives.
He spends quite a bit of time discussing the open view of the future but whether you agree with his position or not one has to grapple personally with the warfare worldview of Scripture and the trinitarian warfare theodicy on its own merits. It is well worth the effort.
This is another book that is a resource to be returned to often. I highly recommend it.
Adequate, but disappointing........2007-06-15
Given the subject matter, Boyd does an adequate job of writing... but the entire book reads more like a paper to be presented to a professional community, rather than something that a layman could get anything useful from. As a senior who's taken multiple Bible courses, I was able to make sense of it... but only barely. Also, it was mostly a rehash of points made in prior books, with little new material. Overall, I was disappointed. Had this come from an author I had never read before, I would be satisfied, but this does not hold up to what I have come to expect from Boyd's writing.
MUCH NEEDED REBUTTAL TO CALVINISM AND ITS REPROCUSIONS.......2007-01-05
In contrast to the widely accepted protestent view of Calvinistic Determinism, Dr. Boyd has laid forth the early Jewish and Chruch's undertanding and view of God's foreknowledge, free agency, and evil as it is experienced. This view is definitely in more harmony with the totality of Scripture rather than the selective and illogical view of Calvinism.
The main premise is that Love Requires Freedom (choice), thus, a holy, righteous and loving God cannot arbritarly force or cause agents to "love" Him nor suffer damnation if they are not the initial cause of their "choices." Subsequently, free agents' choices may cause suffering, as we witness today in the physical and spritual realm. Since Christ never attributed evil to be an element of "God's Plan" neither should His disciples today.
Mr. Boyd does, though, get sidetracked addressing various views concerning each premise which is unneeded since once the truch is unearthed, the counterfits will be clearly exposed. Highly recommended, especially chapters 1-3. [....]
The reviewer below noted that open theology isn't the main feature of this book..........2006-08-03
...and I think that's both a fair analysis and a key point to appreciating what it offers. I'm not an open theist, although I enjoy reading some of it (it's thought-provoking), but I don't believe one must be to embrace Boyd's model of warfare theology (outlined both here and in his 'God At War', another compelling book). This is worth reading for those of us who are secure enough in our own theology to be able to hear out other ideas without feeling the need to strike them down, point-for-point. Let the man speak and don't be so quick to judge! If your theology's right, there's no risk. If it isn't, you NEED to be challenged.
Book Description
It is generally supposed that the fact that the world contains a vast amount of suffering, much of it truly horrible suffering, confronts those who believe in an all-powerful and benevolent Creator with a serious problem: to explain why such a Creator would permit this. Many reflective people are convinced that the problem, the problem of evil, is insoluble. The reasons that underlie this conviction can be formulated as a powerful argument for the non-existence of God, the so-called argument from evil: If there were a God, he would not permit the existence of vast amounts of truly horrible suffering; since such suffering exists, there is no God. Peter van Inwagen examines this argument, which he regards as a paradigmatically philosophical argument. His conclusion is that (like most philosophical arguments) it is a failure. He seeks to demonstrate, not that God exists, but the fact that the world contains a vast amount of suffering does not show that God does not exist. Along the way he discusses a wide range of topics of interest to philosophers and theologians, such as: the concept of God; what might be meant by describing a philosophical argument as a failure; the distinction between versions of the argument from evil that depend on the vast amount of evil in the world and versions of the argument that depend on a particular evil, such as the Lisbon earthquake or the death of a fawn in a forest fire; the free-will defense; animal suffering; and the problem of the hiddenness of God.
Customer Reviews:
Evil and God, No Problem!.......2006-09-02
Review of Peter van Inwagen's The Problem of Evil
Peter van inwagen provides a useful contribution to the growing literature dealing with the logical problem of evil. Inwagen's book is a collection of eight Gifford lectures delivered at the University of St Andrews in the spring of 2003. The prose of this book is often impressive, the reasoning lucid and the arguments are generally compelling. Inwagen carefully analyzes the term "evil" in order to clear away manifold confusions surrounding the concept. Before showing the deficiencies in arguing that since evil exists, God does not exist, Inwagen proffers his idea of God. That is, he suggests that there are certain attributes that God should possess in order to be the maximally excellent being, that than which a greater cannot be conceived. He subsequently offers a definition and analysis of "philosophical failure," introduces new distinctions vis-a-vis evil (local vs. global evil), addresses the subject of animal suffering, predation and the so-called hiddenness of God.
Most of The Problem of Evil is fairly easy to understand, if one is familiar with the nomenclature of metaphysics or systematic theology. Inwagen frames a number of his arguments in dialogical form by creating dramatis personae Theist and Atheist, who argue about the logical problem of evil in front of an imaginary neutral crowd. The dialogue is interesting, to a point, though I believe that van Inwagen tries to be too clever at times. Moreover, I would not call his arguments conclusive, in any sense of the word, but the read is overall enjoyable and enlightening. Finally, I must say that the author does provide compelling evidence that the counterfactuals of freedom notion cannot be used to place God in a bad light. For even if God does have middle knowledge (SCIENTIA MEDIA), there is no guarantee that the supposed counterfactuals of freedom will allow God to create a world in which humans always do what is right and never commit evil acts. This idea reminds one of Alvin Plantinga's transworld depravity notion. See Inwagen's work for further details. In the final analysis, I believe that van Inwagen shows the failure of the logical problem of evil argument and he demonstrates (plausibly) that one cannot argue from evil to the non-existence of God. The argument simply will not work.
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