In *Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC*, Frederick Buechner reexamines the language of God, the universe, and the human spirit. Inspired by his time as a teacher and chaplain at the Phillips Exeter Academy, the book aims to clarify and redefine religious words that had been distorted or misunderstood by his students. It explores themes such as the mysterious nature of faith, the justifiability of doubt, and the presence of God in everyday life. The book is part of Buechner’s lexical trilogy, which also includes *Peculiar Treasures* and *Whistling in the Dark*.
In 'The Problem of Pain', C.S. Lewis addresses the age-old question of how a good and all-powerful God can permit pain and suffering. Lewis argues that human suffering is a consequence of the existence of evil and free will, and that God uses suffering as a tool to draw us nearer to Him. He categorizes pain as both physical and emotional, serving as a warning signal that alerts us to potential harm and compels us to make necessary changes. Lewis also discusses the Fall of Man and how it led to chaos and disaster, emphasizing that God's goodness is not negated by suffering but rather evidenced through His merciful intervention. The book concludes by reassuring that God's wisdom is infinitely superior to ours and that pain eventually leads us back to a loving relationship with our Creator[2][3][4].
The book recounts the ten Boom family's involvement in the Dutch Underground, hiding Jewish refugees in their home in Haarlem, Netherlands. It describes their arrest, imprisonment, and the hardships endured in concentration camps, particularly highlighting Corrie's spiritual journey and her sister Betsie's unwavering faith. After the war, Corrie ten Boom became a global speaker and writer, sharing messages of forgiveness, hope, and love.
In 'Night', Elie Wiesel narrates his harrowing experiences as a Jewish teenager during the Holocaust. The book follows Eliezer, a slightly fictionalized version of Wiesel, from his hometown of Sighet in Hungarian Transylvania to various concentration camps, including Auschwitz, Buna, Gleiwitz, and Buchenwald. It chronicles his struggles with faith, the inhuman conditions of the camps, and the tragic events that unfolded, including the death of his father. The memoir is a poignant and personal account of the Holocaust, highlighting themes of faith, silence, inhumanity, and the importance of human bonds.
In 'When Bad Things Happen to Good People,' Rabbi Harold S. Kushner confronts fundamental questions of life and faith, particularly the conundrum of why there is suffering in a world governed by a benevolent God. Written after the loss of his son Aaron to progeria, Kushner argues that conventional religious explanations for suffering are inadequate. He suggests that God is good but not all-powerful, and that true faith comes from confronting the randomness of life. Kushner emphasizes that God does not cause suffering but provides solace to those afflicted, and he highlights the importance of community and human support in times of tragedy. The book offers a fresh interpretation of the Book of Job and has been widely read and translated into at least 12 languages[1][3][5].
In *Where Is God When It Hurts?*, Philip Yancey addresses the age-old question of why a loving God allows suffering. Using examples from the Bible and his own experiences, Yancey delves into the nature of pain, whether it is a message from God, and how people should respond to suffering. The book helps readers understand and cope with pain, emphasizing God's presence and comfort in times of hardship. It has been a Gold Medallion Book Award Winner and has sold over a million copies, making it an inspirational classic for more than thirty years.
In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss how when natural disasters strike (like the wildfires currently happening in California), it is fascinating to witness the spectrum of ways in which people claim God's involvement. There are some who express anger toward God, wondering how He could allow such things to happen. Some argue that God must have caused the natural disaster as an act of His judgment. Others praise God for helping them to cope with the losses and the rebuilding of their lives. So which is it? What role does God play, if any? Is He a destroyer? Is He a Savior? Or, put another way, where is God in the midst of pain and suffering?
Episode Links
The need to explain the fallout of natural disasters or other forms of pain and suffering that we all face, is something that every religion or philosophy needs to answer for - not just the Christian faith. Dr. White pulled from several sources that you may be interested in reading that will help you understand who God is in the midst of our pain and suffering, and inspirational stories to help you stay strong in your faith. These include:
Philip Yancey, Where is God When It Hurts?
Philip Yancey, Reaching for the Invisible God
C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place
Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking
Dr. White also delivered a series at Mecklenburg Community Church that you might be interested in, to take a deeper dive on this topic. The series is simply called “Why?” with installments that explore: Why Is There Evil and Suffering? Why Me, Why This, Why Now? Why Isn't God Answering My Prayers? and Why Would God Send Good People to Hell? You can find this series at Church & Culture HERE.
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