Christian books on pain and suffering shouldn’t give simplistic answers. Yancey is right, “Why?” is a question that doesn’t go away.
I am preparing for a series on Job this fall at the Red Brick Church– – and I’m a pastor – – and a person living in a fallen world – – all of which means I read a great deal on suffering. Today, I’ve been encouraged by reading Philip Yancey’s honest, raw interaction with the Japanese Tsunami, the murder of children at Sandyhook elementary in Newtown, Boston and other awful tragedies.
Did you know?
- The earthquake that struck Japan and caused the Tsunami released 600 million times more energy than the atomic bombs that fell on Japan (Yancey, 45).
- 410,000 automobiles were destroyed in the Tsunami.
- Approximately 19,000 people were killed or are missing.
Why?
There are no trite answers to suffering. In fact, simplistic answers are insulting. But there is real comfort in Yancey’s book.
Thankfully, there are a number of thoughtful Christan books on pain and suffering.
I will soon be reading carefully reading Tim Keller’s highly recommended Walking with God through Pain and Suffering
I have previously recommended Unspeakable: Facing Up to the Challenge of Evil
Jerry Bridges, Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts
