Easily the premier book on the subject of pain and suffering . This great work by Phil Yancey was the Christian book of the year in the 70's, and has lasted the test of time.  This is easily the best book on the subject of pain and suffering that I have read; it's teachings are on the mark and scriptural.    Yancey nails it when he writes that the suffering in this world is a democracy; that we are all part of it, we all suffer, and we all can help.  He makes some fine points considering all areas of the subject.  He clearly balances the sovereignty of God and His will with our blessings as His children and our works.  He hits on sowing and reaping, as well as the fact that just like Job, sometimes bad things happen to us not as a direct result of anything we did.  What I like best is Yancey dives right in, going to Leper colonies and interviewing with people who have suffered life-time dehabilitating injuries.  It's interesting to see how they've coped and how they view God, and how their suffering has changed their personal relationship with God.    Indeed suffering is universal, yet there is no universal answer behind the causes of it or how to deal with it.  I've heard pastors preach that people have died because they smoked cigarrettes, or got a sexually transmitted disease because of permiscuous sex.  But the question begs to be asked, what about those who did those things and didn't die?  Is it different for a Christian as opposed to a non-Christian?  What man on this earth walks close enough with God to have the power to decide what sin resulted in what judgment?  If earthquakes are a judgment from God,... are headaches a judgment from God too?    And it's certainly an issue that none of us should be pompous about.  One reviewer gave this book a one-star rating, saying that "God gives suffering when believers desecrate his house."  This is a type of religious crap that this book dispells.  Isn't it true that none of us are righteous; even our righteous acts are like filthy rags to the Lord?  Then are we categorizing sin by saying that homosexuality can destroy a nation, but the hateful attitude of a right-wing pastor cannot?  If Christians who tithe are to be blessed by God, then why have some 'tithers' went bankrupt, while some athiests (and Christian false-teachers) become million-aires?  Did 9/11 happen because of the liberal and homosexual communities, as said Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson?  Or did it in fact happen because W and the family have gotten in bed financially with Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations, none of which give a rats a__ about America, and even profited from 9/11 when America spent billions on weapons and defense programs..... run by Saudis.    Only a true biblical view of the causes and lessons of suffering can help our walk with God to be more fruitful.  You'll find no faith/health/prosperity quick fixes in this one.  You'll also find nobody on this earth who knows all the answers.  This book definitely gives power to that journey with Jesus Christ, however.    Just wondering.... a reviewer of this book has declared a "Chinese victory over the USA", and that China is a 'more Christian nation'.  Woa, dude.  They must have better drugs in China too, apparently
Output: POS