Monday, October 09, 2006

How Long, O Lord?

D. A. Carson's book, How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil, is now in its second edition from Baker Books. I highly recommend it as a biblically based, pastorally sensitive, and philosophically informed.

Here are a few endorsements/reviews:

"[A] sober, encouraging book. . . . The two sides of the author, the biblical scholar who reads, thinks, and misses no detail and the pastoral teacher who understands people, feels with them, and cares for them, combine here to give us a treatment of suffering under God's sovereignty which is outstandingly accurate, wise, and helpful. All who follow the author's fast-flowing argument will find their heads cleared and their hearts strengthened."--J. I. Packer, Regent College

"Covers a wealth of biblical material with carefully reasoned clarity and umbrella-like relevance to help us prepare for whatever difficulties life may bring. This volume represents important and profoundly useful reading for pastors and counselors and for every Christian willing to think about life as it really happens."--Larry J. Crabb, New Way Ministries

"The author writes, with Bible in hand, less as philosopher than as a devout and battered pilgrim. His meditations on suffering and evil and the questions they raise and address are solid study-group materials conducive to faith, joy, and hope."--Carl F. H. Henry, founding editor of Christianity Today

"A straightforward, tough-minded, pastorally motivated treatment of the problem of evil. Carson writes not as a philosopher trying to give an account of evil to skeptics but as a biblical scholar addressing fellow believers who struggle with the challenge evil poses for their faith."--Jerry L. Walls, Asbury Theological Journal

"The best compliment I can pay to Carson's book is that I have used it in a college seminar on the problem of evil and that I would do so again. My students seemed especially to benefit from it. Carson covers many if not most biblical themes related to the topic, and therein lies the secret to appreciating his book. . . . It is truly a fine model of excellent scholarship used in the service of the Church."--Daniel B. Clendenin, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society