Why Do I Suffer? Suffering and the Sovereignty of God
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
Why does God allow suffering?
It's a question that, in one form or another, rears its ugly head time and again—whether it comes from someone who has just lost a loved one, been diagnosed with an incurable illness, or surveyed the plight of the poor in the third world. A few days after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 the question that was being asked around the world was, "Where was God in this?"
The question is one that has dogged Christians down the ages. A number of answers have been offered—and indeed all worldviews attempt their own response. John Currid brings biblical teaching to bear. God does work in suffering, he is not a worried observer unwilling or unable to intervene, rather he has a purpose at work and is in control.
As Abraham said "Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right?" Grasping that truth will help us as we face the future and ensure that, when we are next faced with that most tricky of questions, we will know where to begin.
- An in-depth look at suffering and the sovereignty of God
- An appendix dealing with annihilationism
- A glossary of Scripture dealing with the subject of temptation
- All Scripture references linked to the Bibles in your library
Top Highlights
“Theodicy is the attempt to understand the nature and actions of God in the face of evil and suffering.” (Page 36)
“In the first place, Kushner argues that bad things happen to people as a result of chance.” (Page 18)
“Second, Scripture restores the downtrodden believer.” (Page 59)
“Finally, and most significantly, that position states that God has no control over bad things.” (Page 19)
“Secondly, according to Kushner, there is no reason, purpose or meaning in affliction.” (Page 18)
John D. Currid is the Carl W. McMurray Professor of Old Testament and chairman of the Biblical Studies Division at Reformed Theological Seminary. A Ph. D. graduate of the University of Chicago, he has extensive experience in archaeology. He was the Director of the Agricultural Project at Tel Halif, Israel; Field Archaeologist of the UNESCO Project at the excavation of Carthage, Tunisia; and Staff Archaeologist at the excavations of Tel el-Hesi and Bethsaida in Israel. The author of numerous scholarly articles, he has written Ancient Egypt and the Old Testament and Doing Archaeology in the Land of the Bible for Baker Books. He is the editor of the EP Study Commentary series in which he has contributed volumes on Genesis and Exodus.