Review of Why God Allows Evil and Suffering
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Michelle Tuinstra
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- Latest Review: Why God Allows Evil and Suffering by Sine Nomine
Review of Why God Allows Evil and Suffering
[Following is a volunteer review of "Why God Allows Evil and Suffering" by Sine Nomine.]
Because of a recent tragedy involving the father of young children, I chose to read” Why God Allows Evil and Suffering”. It intrigued me because I know this topic will come up in conversations with friends. The book is divided into two main parts. The author seeks to explain the attributes of God and events of creation, the Fall, and how God is a timeless being. God is described as all-powerful, loving, just, and wise.
Reading this book requires a quiet room to fully appreciate the magnitude of ideas. For example, the author writes about examples that cause one to struggle. I found myself nodding at the posed questions, “ If God is perfectly just and all-powerful, why does he permit all who are born into this world to be subjected to undeserved suffering? Why, moreover, does God allow even the most blameless to become victims of some of the most wretched diseases and some of the worst acts of criminality and violence?” These questions cause one to think and ponder.
Reading this book also requires time. The detailed explanations for questions that involve suffering caused me to stop and reflect. I kept a notebook nearby to ponder and think about various statements. This allowed me to dissect and analyze efficiently. I reread the book several times so I could fully understand the content, but this was only due to my interest and not the author’s writing. I found it helpful to read questions aloud so I could fully grasp the meaning.
I feel that the book deserves a top ranking of 5/5 for several reasons. I ranked it highly because the content delves into areas where I struggle. The topic of pain and connecting it to God makes me want to run away. I cannot easily explain the connection between God and suffering. I often change the subject when this topic arises. The author’s explanations are ones I hope to use when conversing about this challenging topic. Second, the author explains his reasoning using over two hundred references listed at the back of the book. The quantity of references indicates that the author spent a considerable time researching a topic of interest and debate.
If I could change anything about the book, I would format it differently. The final version may include this, but inserting meaningful statements on the sidebars of the chapters will allow readers to spend more time reflecting. For example, Soren Kierkegaard’s quote, “ To cheat oneself out of love is the most terrible deception; it is an eternal loss for which there is no reparation” could be placed in bold letters on the side or bottom of a page. In addition, breaking down the text into shorter paragraphs will help readers focus. The topic is difficult, so readers will appreciate these additional ways to reflect.
In conclusion, I am grateful to locate a book that helps me in a matter where I struggle. I hope the author continues to write on similar topics in the future.
******
Why God Allows Evil and Suffering
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Because of a recent tragedy involving the father of young children, I chose to read” Why God Allows Evil and Suffering”. It intrigued me because I know this topic will come up in conversations with friends. The book is divided into two main parts. The author seeks to explain the attributes of God and events of creation, the Fall, and how God is a timeless being. God is described as all-powerful, loving, just, and wise.
Reading this book requires a quiet room to fully appreciate the magnitude of ideas. For example, the author writes about examples that cause one to struggle. I found myself nodding at the posed questions, “ If God is perfectly just and all-powerful, why does he permit all who are born into this world to be subjected to undeserved suffering? Why, moreover, does God allow even the most blameless to become victims of some of the most wretched diseases and some of the worst acts of criminality and violence?” These questions cause one to think and ponder.
Reading this book also requires time. The detailed explanations for questions that involve suffering caused me to stop and reflect. I kept a notebook nearby to ponder and think about various statements. This allowed me to dissect and analyze efficiently. I reread the book several times so I could fully understand the content, but this was only due to my interest and not the author’s writing. I found it helpful to read questions aloud so I could fully grasp the meaning.
I feel that the book deserves a top ranking of 5/5 for several reasons. I ranked it highly because the content delves into areas where I struggle. The topic of pain and connecting it to God makes me want to run away. I cannot easily explain the connection between God and suffering. I often change the subject when this topic arises. The author’s explanations are ones I hope to use when conversing about this challenging topic. Second, the author explains his reasoning using over two hundred references listed at the back of the book. The quantity of references indicates that the author spent a considerable time researching a topic of interest and debate.
If I could change anything about the book, I would format it differently. The final version may include this, but inserting meaningful statements on the sidebars of the chapters will allow readers to spend more time reflecting. For example, Soren Kierkegaard’s quote, “ To cheat oneself out of love is the most terrible deception; it is an eternal loss for which there is no reparation” could be placed in bold letters on the side or bottom of a page. In addition, breaking down the text into shorter paragraphs will help readers focus. The topic is difficult, so readers will appreciate these additional ways to reflect.
In conclusion, I am grateful to locate a book that helps me in a matter where I struggle. I hope the author continues to write on similar topics in the future.
******
Why God Allows Evil and Suffering
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Why God Allows Evil and Suffering by Sine Nomine
