Randy Alcorn’s latest book on the theology of suffering is so good, even Chuck Norris mentioned it.
Yes, the Chuck Norris. Check out http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/ for proof.
Alcorn, the author of over 30 best-selling titles including “Heaven,” “The Purity Principle,” “Restoring Sexual Sanity” and “Deadline,” again takes on another tough theological debate with “If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil.”
Throughout the book, Alcorn takes on chief atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, former believer Bart Ehrman and many other renown scholars, and debates the idea that “the existence of suffering and evil proves there is no God.”
Using sound theology and doctrine, “If God Is Good” balances the tough reality of suffering while explaining the love and comfort of a just God.
Topics include understanding the problem of evil and suffering as well as problems for non-theists such as moral standards, goodness, and extreme evil. The book also covers proposed solutions to the problem of evil and suffering such as limiting God’s attributes, and ultimately, why does God allow suffering?
Written like its counterpart “Heaven,” “If God Is Good” can be used a topical study book much like Wayne Grudem’s “Systematic Theology” or as a cover to cover read. However, as a disclaimer, it’s a lot to handle in one solid read.
Alcorn’s abilities as a writer are exemplified throughout the book, but it’s also easy to understand even if the reader has limited views of the theology of God, which is its intent.
Since the audience is not just limited to the Christian realm, Alcorn uses word pictures to illustrate example after example and quote after quote from well-known theologians, including Biola’s own R.A. Torrey.
With the Torrey Bible Conference having recently covered the subject of suffering, the book is a good fit to the themes and topics that have been covered in chapels and sessions.
However, “If God is Good” goes a step further in explaining why God would allow suffering and evil into the world, and how to handle adversity in the wake of trials and tribulations to glorify God.
Also dotted throughout every single paragraph is scripture, which is a beautiful and much needed break from many theology books that don’t seem to carry much sound doctrine, and are instead filled with a lot of flimsy ideas.
“One day, evil will end. Forever,” states Alcorn in a chapter simply titled “Finding God in Suffering. “Suffering and weeping are real and profound but for God’s children, they are temporary. Eternal joy is on its way.”
This is a must-read for anyone who ever has carried suffering in their life or knows as Christians that we will face trials and tribulations.
Another pro to purchasing the book, which is about $18 on his Web site, www.emp.org, is that the majority of his proceeds go towards charities that include pro-life centers as well as many other relief organizations.
If you’d like to understand why you are suffering, and not just being told how to be comforted in times of trials, then “If God is Good” is the perfect fit.
With Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks on the horizon, pull out the Bible from the desk, grab Alcorn’s latest book, and get going. At the very least, you’ll learn how to comfort others in times of needs. Above that, you may learn some key theology as well.
