The Paradox of Christianity

It seems a fair question, doesn't it? If God is truly good, as Christians insist, then how can there be so much suffering in the world? Since ancient times this question has led skeptics to believe that God cannot, must not, exist. Even today's so-called New Atheists show how little is really knew when they use the existence of suffering and evil as a linchpin of their arguments against God's existence. Quite simply, they say, if suffering and evil exist, then God must not. Yet though people have wrestled with this question and allowed it to drive them from the faith, many more have wrestled with it and have come to the conclusion that God does exist despite suffering. They have found that suffering is God's invitation to trust in him and to hold out hope for a better world to come.

In the Introduction, aptly titled The Search We All Share, we read this:
A Barna Research poll asked, “If you could ask God only one question and you knew he would give you an answer, what would you ask?” The most common response was,”Why is there pain and suffering in the world?” This isn’t merely a problem, it’s the problem. As for the culture at large, it appears to pose a greater difficulty now than ever.
If God Is Good is the latest book from Randy Alcorn's who is probably best-known for his last major release, Heaven, which has sold well over a half million copies in hardcover. Weighing in at 512 pages, this is a good-sized hardcover that offers a thorough examination and defense of faith in the midst of suffering and evil.

The topic Alcorn deals with in this book is a particularly difficult one. Humility and practicality, trademarks of his ministry, are evident in the books earliest pages. "If I thought I had no helpful perspectives on the problem, it would be pointless for me to write this book. If I imagined I had all the answers neatly lined up, it would be pointless for you to read it." He seeks to get right to the bottom of the subject and, as we learn, a sound theology of suffering touches upon many different areas. I found this book to be a great resource. I really enjoyed that Alcorn took the space necessary to delve deep into some of these areas. As a consequence, this is a big book – almost 500 pages, with both a topic and scripture index at the end.


Read Chapter 1

The Walk

Image by mr.l via Flickr Shaun Alexander is once again scoring, this time with his writing ability. In his book, The Walk, Shaun shares with us the learnings of his life concerning relationship with the Father. “I heard the Holy Spirit say, ‘This is what happens when you walk the Walk. Not perfection. I’m not looking for perfection. I’m looking for order.’”

God invites you to grow through five stages of spiritual maturity

Walking with God is not a contest or a competition, and it has nothing to do with how you look in front of others. Your walk with Christ is the most extreme, dangerous, and intimate adventure you will ever be part of. But all you have to do is walk, which takes you to a place where it’s not about you—instead; you will become part of something that is much bigger than anything you can imagine.

God leads his followers through five stages of spiritual maturity. He begins by working in us even before we trust him, drawing us while we are still Unbelievers. He walks with us when we become Believers, training us so that we can grow to live as Examples of Christ. He works with Examples, showing them how to explain what they believe and making them Teachers. And God calls some Teachers to serve as Imparters, those who do the miraculous work of Jesus on earth.

While our tendency is to run ahead of God or lag behind, just walking with God through the stages of spiritual maturity will transform your life with biblical wisdom, God’s direction, and the power of the Holy Spirit. With God at your side, your life will have an unprecedented impact on others. If you are looking for help to direct your walk, I highly recommend this book!

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.