|
Why does suffering exist in the world? How does suffering fit into God’s plan for human history? What are we to think when a believer’s prayers are not granted? Is it biblical for a Christian to expect to be suffering free? Does the fact of suffering and evil defeat belief in a loving, all powerful God? How can we help hurting, grieving people?
Where Is God When We Suffer? faces these and other questions. The book gives biblical teaching about suffering. It provides a resource to help the church to give biblical teaching concerning suffering so that Christians can be more adequately prepared for dealing with suffering. It also gives encouragement to help sufferers and caregivers to deal with the experience of suffering.
The book begins with a recounting the author’s family’s experience with suffering. Old and New Testament teaching on suffering is summarized. Specific expository studies provide insights for facing suffering with faith, joy, and hope. The author wrestles with the question of harmonizing a loving, all-powerful God with the reality of suffering. The book concludes by addressing grief and what helps and what doesn’t help the hurting.
Sam Stone, retired editor of Christian Standard, from Foreward
"All of us suffer, but some people seem to have more than their share.
That's Lynn Gardner.
Some people seem to handle suffering better than others.
That's Lynn Gardner too.
This book provides a valuable overview of the biblical teaching on suffering, but it does much more. It is filled with practical counsel, drawn both from the teaching of Scripture and a lifetime of ministry.
Where Is God When We Suffer? addresses the topic from various perspectives. It begins with Lynn's own personal story of loss and suffering. Dr. Gardner then guides us through a study of both Old and New Testament examples of people who sufffered. Why did they? How did they deal with it? What can we learn from their experiences? The book also includes a philosophjical discussion of evil and suffering for those who want an analysis of this difficult topic from a biblical perspective. How can an all-powerful, all-loving God permit such pain and tragedy in the world He created?
This book also lists scriptural principles that offfer help and hope for those going through hard times and for the family and friends trying to help them.
Always the author points us back to what the Bible itself says about suffering. And in the end, that's the best place anyone can go."
Dr. Wayne Bigelow, retired medical doctor and minister to seniors in Adventure Christian Church in Rocklin, CA.
"Where Is God When We Suffer? is scholarly, sensitive and practical. Born of years of biblical research, tempered by personal crises and tested in the cruciible of life, Dr. Gardner's work is the best I've read on this topic. The format is pleasing. Retrieval of useful material is made easy by inset boxes, bold headings and extensive indexing. It is a welcome addition to every Christian's library."
Bob Russell, retired minister, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, KY.
"I found Lynn's book very helpful for two reasons. First, it is a transparent and inspirational perspective from one who has maintained a strong faith through horrible experiences. Secondly, Lynn does not take the typical Calvinistic approach that all suffering comes from God but acknowledges that much suffering occurs because we live in a fallen, painful world. It is helpful to be reminded that instead of being bitter against God we should be angry about the consequences of sin and the destructive work of Satan."
Kathryn Ransom, retired educator, Springfield, IL.
"Dr. Gardner's honest and forthright account of suffering and God's response should be helpful to each and every Christian. The mix of a careful review of the scriptures on what God has to say about suffering and the Christian matched with the practical, everyday, 'What Do We Do Now' creates a guide for all who have either experienced suffering personallly or watched a loved one struggle. Lynn's heartfelt work has the potential to impact the Christian brotherhood as Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life did a few years ago. We plan to use it as a guide for study in our Bible school class even if it takes us 'Forty SunDays' to complete. Perhaps Paul Claudel's comment summarizes the message of the book: 'Christ did not come to do away with suffering; He did not come to explain it; He came to fill it with His presence.'"
|
