The reality that so few struggle with the problem of evil is a major warning sign that many are not considering the reality of a sovereign and good God. John Stott wrote, “The fact of suffering undoubtedly constitutes the single…
Ask “How Long?” Instead of “Why?”
Interacting with the problem of suffering, Christopher J.H. Wright writes: Whereas we often ask “Why?” people in the Bible more often asked “How long?” Their tendency was not to demand that God give an explanation for the origin of evil…
How Was Job Right Even When He Was Wrong?
In our series on Job, A Journey With Job, I continue to be helped by Christopher Ash’s commentary. Ash helps us understand how Job could be considered right even when he was wrong. In Job 9-10, Job is in agony.…
This is Just the Beginning of the Beginning
I am thankful for the ways that the Internet and social media allow others to suggest worship music to accompany sermon series. My youngest sister, Erin (see her blog here), suggested this song to go along with our Job series…
A Summary of Job’s Friends
Here’s a window to my world of study – – this is how I organized my attempt to understand Job’s friends. One of the real challenges of preaching Job is that it’s such a long book. There are three cycles…
Why is God Harder on Job’s Friends Than on Complaining Job?
“Job stays married to God and throws dishes at him; the three friends have a polite non-marriage . . .” Peter Kreeft Anyone who studies the biblical book of Job knows that in between Job saying, “blessed be the name…
Why Did God Allow Satan to Harm Job and His Family?
Why would God allow Satan to harm Job? Is God placing side bets while we battle cancer or lose loved ones? Here are some preliminary thoughts in response to those questions. Any study of the book of Job raises questions…
Four Questions Every Thinking Human Being Must Answer
If we are to take our heads out of the sand, and hit the hard questions head-on, so that we can be prepared for suffering, as we plan to do in the book of Job on Sunday, then we need…
The “Head in the Sand” Approach To Suffering is a Bad Idea
Everyone needs to prepare for suffering. It’s sure to come. Step forward in preparing for suffering by being part of the Job sermon series at the Red Brick Church beginning on October 5, 2014. Suffering is a fact of life.…
Would you agree that “time” is the hard part?
Do you agree – – “time” is the aspect of suffering that makes it so difficult? I have been preparing for months a sermon series: A Journey With Job: Seeing and Savoring the Beauty of Christ Amid the Long Walk…