The End of Suffering: Finding Purpose in Pain

by Scott Cairns

“The extreme greatness of Christianity lies in the fact that it does not seek a supernatural remedy for suffering, but a supernatural use for it.” –Simone Weil

“Like most people I, too, have been blindsided by personal grief now and again over the years. And I have an increasingly keen sense that, wherever I am, someone nearby is suffering now.

For that reason, I lately have settled in to mull the matter over, gathering my troubled wits to undertake a difficult essay, more like what we used to call an assay, really—an earnest inquiry. I am thinking of it just now as a study in suffering, by which I hope to find some sense in affliction, hoping—just as I have come to hope about experience in general—to make something of it.”
Is there meaning in our afflictions?

With the thoughtfulness of a pilgrim and the prose of a poet, Scott Cairns takes us on a soul-baring journey through “the puzzlement of our afflictions.” Probing ancient Christian wisdom for revelation in his own pain, Cairns challenges us toward a radical revision of the full meaning and breadth of human suffering.

Clear-eyed and unsparingly honest, this new addition to the literature of suffering is reminiscent of The Year of Magical Thinking as well as the works of C. S. Lewis. Cairns points us toward hope in the seasons of our afflictions, because “in those trials in our lives that we do not choose but press through—a stillness, a calm, and a hope become available to us.”

Genres: Spirituality, Christianity, Faith, Grief, Religion, Theology, Poetry

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Seth Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but powerful read. The question of suffering and pain are on my mind a lot these days, as I watch friends deal with loss and we wrestle with the "why" of cancer. I loved the chapter on complicity and the overall perspective of moving towards experiencing suffering and pain as a part of the process of drawing closer to God.

"May our afflictions be few, but may we learn not to squander them."

[Ken · Rating 2 out of 5]

the quote at the end is worth the price of the book itself: "May our afflictions be few, but may we learn not to squander them."

Other than that, i'm not too impressed. May be the expection was too high . Good reference to St Isaac on page 18 of this edition, and some good proses here and there. Otherwise, I'd be hard-pressed to appreciate the nature of suffering.

On the topic of suffering, I'd suggest this short article

http://iamhome.org/articles/SHAMBHALA...

[Ted · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the writings/poetry of Scott Cairns. I don't always agree with what he says, but his writing style (which is poetic) opens my eyes and mind to new possible understandings. Poetry which is so abundant in the rich hymn tradition of the Church is an antidote to the wooden literalism so pervasive in our culture's reading of Scripture. Cairns is comfortable with ambiguity in the text - this is the very things that causes us to have to wrestle with God, as did Israel of old. This was my 2nd time through reading the book, this time for a group discussion.

[Jewelie Casteel · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the strongest literary arguments I've ever encountered regarding the Body of Christ and how much we need our church family and how deeply we are interconnected with one another through Christ. I felt this book, as short as it was, was laborious and arduous, and basically willed myself to complete it instead of giving up midway. The writing felt verbose and choppy, and there were far too many references to other historical spiritual figures, but there were moments of insight found within.

[Dianne Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

May our afflictions be few, but may we learn not to squander them.
There isn't a supernatural remedy for suffering but a supernatural use for it.

There is a lot to contemplate in this essay on suffering and how it's "bright sadness" can help take away the power of outside distractions and lead us to a current taste of salvation. His interpretation of the Bible, as an Orthodox and a poet, is nuanced and stirring.

[Jodie Pine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetry in this book didn't resonate with me so much, but I appreciated the author's emphasis on the communal aspect of suffering.

"We must come to recognize our suffering as a means, a circumstance of our common journey that can offer us a clearer view of the task at hand. Along that journey, our afflictions and our suffering may also provide us a glimpse of what actual virtue might require."

[Stephen Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thought Proving Essay

The author's reflection on his own journey is one that is accessible to readers. I appreciated Scott's inclusion of the works from Church Fathers and Mothers. Their writings helped demonstrate the Universality of our experiences; ancient or modern, further grounding me in what it is to be an Orthodox Christian.

[Etienne · Rating 1 out of 5]

A highly intellectual and non-pragmatic essay by an English major attempting to write about theodicy using mainly the writings of the fathers of the Eastern Church. I'm not a novice when it comes to theological approaches and discussions. Still, so many unpragmatic loose ends were prompting me to wonder often, "what's your point? Where are you going with this? "

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book really did not offer any new insights on the subject and I found the casual, conversational tone off-putting. I also found it distasteful that the author chose to start and finish this book by talking about his dogs.

[Jeff Bobin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there is some good and interesting information here the title is misleading in that there is no direction toward the end of suffering.

There is good information on addressing suffering and working through it.

[Bethany]

For such a small book, this contained more esoteric (flowery? supposedly poetic? almost academic at times?) writing than I expected, with a lot of references to saints.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible book.

[Isabel Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars— a good read, but not C. S. Lewis level.

[Anne Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This small book warrants another reading, and probably more ‘anothers’.

[Laura]

Dnf 😴

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this small essay does not delve very deep into the problem of suffering, there are some very worthwhile insights throughout. It's a quick read, and well worth it.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scott Cairns takes on one of the hard topics of religion - why is there suffering? As a Christian, this is a topic that I find difficult. I know we live in a broken world and that the brokenness is cause of suffering and pain. I do not believe that God is the cause of the afflictions of this world. I believe God's grace is how we survive our troubles.

However, this is a hard topic to discuss. We want less suffering in the world, especially among those who we care about.

Cairns does not answer all of my questions, but he certainly gave me a lot to think about. Because he is a member of the Eastern Church, Cairns refers to writings that I have not encountered before. Between the introduction to new writings and the difficulty of this subject, I know I will need to reread this book to understand all that Cairns has to tell me.

I recommend this book to those who search for answers about suffering; to those readers who like Dostoevsky since his The Brothers Karamazov is integral to this book; to those who read Scott Cairns' poetry and want to know more about him or anyone who likes excellent writing.

[Marilyn Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this from my son as a birthday present, which may tell you something about our relationship.This book is a precious gem in a sea of cheap, glass baubles. It’s deep and thick reading and the truth is, I am not smart enough to read it quickly. I find myself reading almost every sentence three times before I fully understand it. But it’s worth the time that it is taking. As a fairly new Orthodox Christian, it speaks profoundly into my journey. I take it with me on every refugee trip that I go on. It’s in this volume that I am learning more of Christ’s decision to enter into our suffering; to enter into the suffering of the refugee; of the exploited one.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you don't have this, you really need to get it. If you can't find it in the bookstore, order it. It's one of those insightful books that leaves you with an a-ha sort of feeling. A lot of it you might already know, especially if you are an Orthodox Christian, but Mr. Cairns makes things a bit clearer.

Don't get me wrong, this is not ONLY for Orthodox Christians. This is for just about anybody, and I highly recommend it.

[Michael Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not what I expected, and at first, not what I wanted. I cannot tell yet if it is what I needed. While some of the ideas may not be new to people who have spent a good deal reading this niche of literature, it is certainly more honest and better grounded, theologically and rationally, than other work I have read on the subject, including Lewis' sometimes infuriating The Problem of Pain.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different vantage on suffering, clear, Christian, increasingly Orthodox as the book progressed it talked both of the benefits of suffering and the community of suffering. It was not about the individual first, but the community and about God's purposes. Beautiful words that I have returned to many times in recent days and still a sort of foreign country.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, simple and personal book, but rich with Holy Scripture and Patristic teaching. I sense there is much more that could be elaborated in the last chapter called, "What is Lacking" about how our sufferings make up what is lacking in Christ's own suffering and about our privilege and need to participate with Him in suffering. I hope Cairns will delve into this mystery more in future works.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. The kind of read you want to read and reread. I look forward to following this author and getting my own copy of this book to heavily mark up with a hi lighter. Exquisitely written. Significant topic.

[Hans Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Constructive insight into the complexity of pain and loss in a broken world. I was particularly challenged by Cairn's compelling views on our individual and collective responsibility in building and living as Kingdom of God people.

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite quote (from the end) sums up this book: "May our afflictions be few, but may we learn not to squander them."