Friday, October 1, 2010

Book Review: Surprised By Suffering

I read the Kindle edition of Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in The Christian Life by R.C. Sproul.  Pastor Sproul is an American Calvinist theologian and pastor. He is the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries and can be heard daily on the Renewing Your Mind radio broadcast in the United States and internationally.  He has written 60 books on Christian living. This book was first published in 1988.  This edition features a new chapter on God's sovereignty in relation to suffering (Chapter 4), as well as  new Scripture and subject indexes.

I think all people are surprised when faced with suffering and death.  We are never prepared to handle these unpleasant circumstances in life.  The author examines and discusses the following questions;

Why do good people suffer with sickness and disease?
Is there a heaven where we will live after death?
Will we see our loved ones again?

Pastor Sproul leads the reader in a detailed Bible study on these topics.  He examines both Old Testament and New Testament Scpritures to find the answers to these questions.  He uses the Scriptures to provide comfort to Christians who have lost loved ones.  He also shares his views on how to deal with family members who are terminally ill.
I was drawn to this book because my father recently had a heart attack.  He is very ill and I am having a hard time dealing with this.  Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in The Christian Life was like a gift straight from God.  Pastor Sproul helped me understand the process of death and grief. 
The index at the back of the book is a very helpful reference tool.  This book is well worth the time it will take you to read it. 

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