Every one of us will experience suffering. Many of us are experiencing it now. As we have seen in recent years, evil is real in our world, present ...
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Feb 20, 2011
Laverne
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This book by Randy Alcorn is exactly what I needed to read at this time. It clearly addressed the questions some of us have regarding evil in this world. Much scripture was used to show what evil looks like and where it started and what caused it and how God uses pain and suffering to mold us into mature Christians.
As a resource, it is so valuable, because it went into detail regarding the various solutions men have used to resolve the question of why bad things happen to all of us a More...
As a resource, it is so valuable, because it went into detail regarding the various solutions men have used to resolve the question of why bad things happen to all of us a More...
Jan 28, 2011
Pastoralmusings
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Of all of the books that I've read related to Christian living, If God Is Good ranks near the top of the list.
Randly Alcorn not only tells us how to live in the midst of grief, heartache, hardship, disappointment, and disillusionment, but he does so with a very Biblical approach. He also does so with amazing wisdom and compassion.
For the person who struggles with death, pain, suffering, and other forms of evil, Alcorn compassionately addresses these issues from a biblical perspective More...
Randly Alcorn not only tells us how to live in the midst of grief, heartache, hardship, disappointment, and disillusionment, but he does so with a very Biblical approach. He also does so with amazing wisdom and compassion.
For the person who struggles with death, pain, suffering, and other forms of evil, Alcorn compassionately addresses these issues from a biblical perspective More...
Dec 14, 2010
Kishah
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“When we consider the best and the worst things that have happened to us, we often see a startling overlap” (236.)
“God gives us choices to test us. If loving God really means something, then the choice to follow him must be real and meaningful” (245.)
To be truthful, I was a little reluctant to read the book after I realized how thick it was. Always for a challenge, I decided to find out what its many pages contained. When I opened and started reading it, I could not put i More...
“God gives us choices to test us. If loving God really means something, then the choice to follow him must be real and meaningful” (245.)
To be truthful, I was a little reluctant to read the book after I realized how thick it was. Always for a challenge, I decided to find out what its many pages contained. When I opened and started reading it, I could not put i More...
Oct 25, 2009
Gail
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I have read all of Randy Alcorn's book and must rate this as one of his top ones. Since I received it from the publisher, I wanted to read it in a timely fashion and then review it. As I started out, I found myself taking notes - then I just decided to plunge right into it and tag or highlight sections that I wanted to go back to!
Each chapter takes you into a different question about the attributes of God and questions most people have (but might not admit to have). I found certain sect More...
Each chapter takes you into a different question about the attributes of God and questions most people have (but might not admit to have). I found certain sect More...
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Jan 05, 2010
Jessica
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This book reads like a thesis. I said I would give it until the tenth chapter and I stopped at about the ninth. The reason?
He argues that "there are no good people in the world". That we are all sinners, to which I do not argue, but that we are all suffering because we are sinners and God is punishing us because of that. We cause our own suffering because of sin, and I do not agree with the way he was presenting his arguement.
I apologize. I did not get hit More...
He argues that "there are no good people in the world". That we are all sinners, to which I do not argue, but that we are all suffering because we are sinners and God is punishing us because of that. We cause our own suffering because of sin, and I do not agree with the way he was presenting his arguement.
I apologize. I did not get hit More...
Sep 22, 2009
Debbie
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If God is Good is an excellent God-focused, Scripture-based book. It gives a comprehensive and balanced look at what the entire Bible says about evil and suffering. If you have any question about why an all-good, all-powerful, all-knowing God allows evil and suffering, this book thoroughly answers it. Some parts got a bit heavy and a few chapters weren't as convincing as others (like chapter 20), but most of the book was excellent and very easy to understand.
The major drawback to thi More...
The major drawback to thi More...
Sep 06, 2011
Jared
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The problem of evil is one of the most timeless challenges surrounding the existence of God. It is also a timely problem as it lies at the heart of the currently popular debate within Christian circles regarding hell. For these reasons, books tackling the topic of hell and the broader one of evil seem to be surfacing at a rapid rate. So this week and the next I will be reviewing two books covering the same subject matter. But with that exception, these two books could hardly be less alike.
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Oct 19, 2009
Jessica
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I'm going to submit my review now, although unfinished because this book is going to take me a while to get through. It's about 500 pages of very slow reading that needs to be thought about and absorbed. Although I'm only a fifth of the way through, I will review now and update as I go along should my opinions change.
For me, this book does not flow well, it's thoughts are disjointed in the fact that there is no real storytelling to pull it all together. There are parts with real li More...
For me, this book does not flow well, it's thoughts are disjointed in the fact that there is no real storytelling to pull it all together. There are parts with real li More...
Sep 25, 2009
Clockstein
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If God is Good by Randy Alcorn is a stunning must read. Recent years have seen several books attacking Christianity, and much of the arguments against the existence of God are based upon the presence of evil and suffering within the world. Alcorn spent years pulling together materials to support his thesis that of course God is good, and that He has a reason for the suffering we face. Through liberal usage of Scripture as well as commentaries by lots of theologians, he offers case after case for
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Apr 20, 2011
Jonathan
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A few comments:
1. The book is too long and the author retraces his steps in confusing ways.
2. Alcorn mixes rock solid arguments with weak arguments to (I think, in some cases) arguments built on sand. This may seem to, in places, weaken the rock solid arguments.
3. The end of the book was the better part of the book.
4. The format of the book was somewhat confusing.
5. The purpose of the book was to show that God is good even in the midst of suffering and evil, but i More...
1. The book is too long and the author retraces his steps in confusing ways.
2. Alcorn mixes rock solid arguments with weak arguments to (I think, in some cases) arguments built on sand. This may seem to, in places, weaken the rock solid arguments.
3. The end of the book was the better part of the book.
4. The format of the book was somewhat confusing.
5. The purpose of the book was to show that God is good even in the midst of suffering and evil, but i More...
Nov 04, 2009
J.D.
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My rating obviously reflects my opinion, however I also want to explain also that I believe that I am not specifically his target audience.
My biggest qualm with the book as a whole is that it, like many others of similar disposition, gives answers that are too easy for topics far too difficult. While he certainly does take time to acknowledge that hurt is not merely a weak reaction or an indicator of "weak" faith, he still ends up at the same place as others. While this may bri More...
My biggest qualm with the book as a whole is that it, like many others of similar disposition, gives answers that are too easy for topics far too difficult. While he certainly does take time to acknowledge that hurt is not merely a weak reaction or an indicator of "weak" faith, he still ends up at the same place as others. While this may bri More...
Feb 11, 2011
Tre
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Randy Alcorn, the author of Heaven, brings us his latest non-fiction work entitled If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil in an effort to answer the question, "What if suffering is God's invitation to trust him and hope for a better world?", and to answer those who have blamed God in the public arena of ideas for the problems of evil and suffering. This is a tall order, but Alcorn, providentially prepared by trials in his own life, seems just the person to take on thi
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Oct 23, 2009
Katie
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I won this book from a giveaway and was ever so happy when the big, brown package arrived on my doorstep. I anxiously tore into the package and later the book. I must say that this book had a lot of potential. The author uses the Scriptures and anecdotes to address the problem of evil and suffering in the world. I feel that the book repeated itself several different times, only changing the scenery up a bit by using people's personal stories to corroborate the author's point of view. What I'm tr
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Oct 01, 2009
Lynn
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When I first started reading this book I realized from the beginning one does not really want to skim through or read it fast. That way one gets the full potential of the book.
Through uses of scripture;and different commentaries. Mr. Alcorn has put alot of reserch into writing this book.
Though out life we are all going to experience suffering and one of the main reason people have a hard time beliving in God. How could a God that is loving allow evil and suffering in the world. More...
Through uses of scripture;and different commentaries. Mr. Alcorn has put alot of reserch into writing this book.
Though out life we are all going to experience suffering and one of the main reason people have a hard time beliving in God. How could a God that is loving allow evil and suffering in the world. More...
Jan 02, 2012
Kenneth
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Alcorn, Randy: If God is Good… Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil
This is a book that should be read before you experience great suffering in your life if you have the opportunity. This is a read that will prepare you to suffer when inevitably you face some trials that all of us do. Randy Alcorn has provided a helpful book that will speak to a wide audience. In one sense it speaks to all because almost everyone will experience some leveling of suffering and this book deals with More...
This is a book that should be read before you experience great suffering in your life if you have the opportunity. This is a read that will prepare you to suffer when inevitably you face some trials that all of us do. Randy Alcorn has provided a helpful book that will speak to a wide audience. In one sense it speaks to all because almost everyone will experience some leveling of suffering and this book deals with More...
Jun 16, 2011
Becca
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Most people who have ever read, talked, or thought about the existence of God often wonder about the bad of the world. Why would God allow droughts, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, tornadoes… the list can go on and on.
What about the baby diagnosed with cancer or the young adult killed in a car wreck? This is a lot of suffering in the world, and this books tries to address some of the questions that have plagued people for centuries.
Randy Alcorn’s book is divide More...
What about the baby diagnosed with cancer or the young adult killed in a car wreck? This is a lot of suffering in the world, and this books tries to address some of the questions that have plagued people for centuries.
Randy Alcorn’s book is divide More...
May 19, 2011
Timothy
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We in the affluent West seem to have a nasty habit of forgetting that we are *not* the fulfillment of history, and are not really all that unique. What we cherish as our special institutions and ideas were a long time in developing. We even think that our negative traits, such as our "logical" arguments against the existence of God Himself are unique to us. Really, the "problem of evil" is almost as old as evil itself. David Hume was nothing special, for men have desperately
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Dec 22, 2011
Donna
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To really get the most from this book, read it slowly. Each chapter is short but detailed and requires some time to think about. So I read a chapter or two per day.
The book addresses the age-old question of how a good God can allow evil in the world. Obviously there are no easy or quick answers to that question. First, you have to believe that there is a God and that He is intimately involved in the world today.
One argument that Alcorn has forwarded is why people t More...
The book addresses the age-old question of how a good God can allow evil in the world. Obviously there are no easy or quick answers to that question. First, you have to believe that there is a God and that He is intimately involved in the world today.
One argument that Alcorn has forwarded is why people t More...
Jun 08, 2011
Tim
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The last thing anyone needs is one more person's opinion about the thorny subject of why God, if he exists, would allow suffering. Fortunately Randy Alcorn gives us something entirely different, something that we do need. In this well considered book, Alcorn gives us a survey of prevailing, and in some cases historical views of the issue, along with carefully considered, biblical arguments either for or against each belief or system of theology represented.
Not that Alcorn doesn't sha More...
Not that Alcorn doesn't sha More...
Mar 14, 2010
Sheila
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I usually wait to write my reviews of books I have received throught FirstReads until I have finished reading them. But in this one instance I am going to write my review before I have finished. This is a book to be savored, to be read slowly, to be meditated on, to be thought about, to be digested. And with 512 pages and 45 chapters, there is alot to think about. I have been reading Randy Alcorn's book Heaven for several months now, and am doing the same thing with that book. Savoring it, read
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Apr 17, 2011
Keith
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Very informative book on the reality of evil and suffering. Randy Alcorn helps the reader see that God is there to comfort during these times and not punish. He orchestrates all things for His glory and our good and this book helps to define how and why.
A long book and sometimes hard to get through the repetition, but worth reading.
A long book and sometimes hard to get through the repetition, but worth reading.
Oct 21, 2009
Daniel
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I'm about 200 pages into this 500 page tome and I'm going to have to put it down for a time.
The book is decent. Randy has solid theology and shows it here. But nothing about the book draws me in. He has well documented all the right answers, addressing every problem people have in dealing with the topic of an all-powerful loving God, in the face of evil. I wonder if this book is better as a reference material than as a read straight through. But he does build on previous chapte More...
The book is decent. Randy has solid theology and shows it here. But nothing about the book draws me in. He has well documented all the right answers, addressing every problem people have in dealing with the topic of an all-powerful loving God, in the face of evil. I wonder if this book is better as a reference material than as a read straight through. But he does build on previous chapte More...
Jun 14, 2010
Barbw
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Life is hard, God is good. In light of that how do I live my life? Alcorn's book is long but it's so good that I plowed through most of it. I haven't seen anything as comprehensive and readable on this subject as this book. Definitely worth reading.
Jun 04, 2010
Molly
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I didn't finish this book because it had to go back to the library, though I went quite a bit of the way through it. It gets into some heavy stuff and is basically a Biblical apologetic for suffering. Good, logical and thought out. On the other hand, I have found that people who are upset with God, especially in the area of suffering, usually have heart issues, not logic issues and need to actually feel and know that He loves them and is good. Logic will probably not reach the heart. Nevert
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Apr 14, 2011
Kate
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If God Is Good is the fourth of Randy Alcorn’s “big books”–500+ page tomes which discuss just about everything one would want to know about a specific subject. In this case, the subject is the age old dilemma of evil and suffering. The book is divided into eleven sections and forty-five chapters. Each chapter is subsequently divided into sub-sections which are usually headed with a statement, such as “It’s a mistake to think God’s love overshadows his holiness, or to think his holiness limits hi
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Jul 06, 2011
Dominique
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I consider Randy Alcorn to be the C.S. Lewis, if you will, of this epoch. I knew this would be a book I would have to chew on as I read it. What I didn't realize is how much chewing I would have to do. I am only half way through the 500+ page book so any review will be a while in coming yet.
Thankful, my deadline for review it is not fixed! :-)
This is a book that must be slowly digested. I learned alot, was challenged to think about what I believe and even had some clarifi More...
Thankful, my deadline for review it is not fixed! :-)
This is a book that must be slowly digested. I learned alot, was challenged to think about what I believe and even had some clarifi More...
Dec 04, 2011
Kristie
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It has been a long time since a book has changed my life. Alcorn does an amazing job of explaining evil and suffering in the world in ways that I've never thought about before. I love his writing style -- he has highlighted sentences that summarize his thoughts with explanations following them. Some of what he writes is repetitive, but necessary. He takes every possible explanation, argument, controversy about evil and addresses it.
I feel that my faith has really deepened from reading More...
I feel that my faith has really deepened from reading More...
Nov 23, 2009
Cindy
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Delves into the really hard questions of life and delivers well thought out insights. A must read for everyone!!
Feb 07, 2011
Chuck
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Great book! Alcorn speaks right to the common man in this book. Great illustrative material for pastors.
Jan 25, 2011
excellent discussion of the difficulty of dealing with loss,death,illness and reconciliation with God
