I got this book – “Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in The Christian Life” by R. C. Sproul just because I love him. I love to listen his sermons or teaching series, love his books... but this book is like a hidden treasure in famous Jesus parable. He explained Problem of Pain in Christian life very deeply. I understand that I ignored problem of death, but I like to talk about pain. Everybody will die anyway, but pain is bringing a lot of questions in our life, how God, who is Love, can tolerate pain in his creature their life is already so short? This is the biggest question that atheists like to ask.
I read “The Problem of Pain” C.S. Lewis and another one – “A Grief Observed” he wrote after death of his wife Joy Davidman. She died of cancer at the age of 45. For me these two books are absolutely different on question of pain. First one – understanding on pain of young man without experienced it, second one – after great and heavy experience. But still no real answer about pain.
Another one - Gift of Pain by Paul Brand and Philip Yancey . Even by name of this book you will understand that authors will show how fortunate we are because of pain.
I believe that more full picture of Role of Pain in Christian life gave Dr. R.C. Sproul. His book is great and easy to read and understand. He even included Plato teaching in his book. Not so many Christian scholars do that.
For me this is very important, because without studying Ancient Greek philosophy we can’t fully understand Christianity.
Seeing Plato as God prophet will open us to a much bigger God that embraces the whole world. God did show Himself not to believers only but also to unbelievers. Remember book of Isaiah chapter 45 about King Cyrus: “Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped...” God named pagan King as Messiah (Anointed).
Now verses from Plato Republic, book 2: “Beside our picture of the unjust man let us set one of the just man, the man of true simplicity of character who, as Aeschylus says, wants “to be, and not to seem, good”. We must, indeed, not allow him to seem good, for if he does he will have all the rewards and honors paid to the man who has a reputation for justice, and we shall not be able to tell whether his motive is love of justice or love of the rewards and honors. No, we must strip him of everything except his justice, and our picture of him must be drawn in the opposite way to our picture of the unjust man; for our just man must have the worst of reputations even though he has done no wrong. So we shall be able to test his justice and see if it can stand up to unpopularity and all that goes with it; we shall give him an undeserved and lifelong reputation for wickedness, and make him stick to his chosen course until death … The just man, then, as we have pictured him, will be scourged, tortured, and imprisoned, his eyes will be put out, and after enduring every humiliation he will be crucified, and learn at last that in the world as it is we should want not to be, but to seem, just.”
That was composed 360 years before Jesus was born.
I thing this book of Dr. Sproul will be very beneficial for Christian and also non believers as well.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
$16.00
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 14
In Stock
+
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
R Pay
Decent book. Undergrad level.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 31, 2018
Ignatius
Clear and direct explanation on the problem of suffering
Reviewed in Australia on September 11, 2014contemplativereflections
Book Review: Surprised By Suffering
Reviewed in Canada on October 31, 2015