Everything Happens for a Reason...and Other Lies I've Been Told ★★★

[John]

As a scholar and believer in the prosperity gospel, Kate Bowler thought that she had achieved success through her faith. She had married Toban, the love of her life, and gave birth to Zach, her fair-haired son, after many prayers. She had a satisfying career as a Duke Divinity School professor and author. But, at 35 years of age, she was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. Her theological house of cards began to fall. This memoir is her journey through the diagnosis, search for treatment, and recovery period as a cancer survivor who had been given only two years to live.

One of the chapters in this book is entitled "Christmas Cheer." Once diagnosed with the cancer, she began researching for possible treatments. She discovered an experimental treatment; however, did not know if she would qualify or if her insurance would pay for it. Any Christmas cheer she possessed quickly turned into Christmas gloom. She needed a Christmas miracle.

Her poignant story is peppered with some humor, as she attempts to reconcile the prosperity gospel with life's realities, which can be more Job-like than paradise. Two helpful appendices are included detailing less-than helpful phrases to tell someone with terminal diseases and alternatives to use instead. A set of discussion questions are also available for group discussion.

[Joy D]

Nice review, John! I have always hated that phrase, "Everything happens for a reason."

[Karin]

I hate that line as well and I'm a Christian--it isn't only used by prosperity doctrine ones, either.

Technically it's factual, but not the way that line is meant!

A friend of ours died of cancer after Thanksgiving and it helped him to think that he got it for a reason, so I didn't correct him since that thought gave him some comfort.

[John]

Karin wrote: "I hate that line as well and I'm a Christian--it isn't only used by prosperity doctrine ones, either.

Technically it's factual, but not the way that line is meant!

A friend of ours died of cance..."

Sometimes I believe people feel so awkward around people undergoing a tragedy, they don't know what to say. They believe inane statements like this bring comfort. What would be a better statement is a physical one. Simply be there and be silent.

[Karin]

John wrote: "Sometimes I believe people feel so awkward around people undergoing a tragedy, they don't know what to say. They believe inane statements like this bring comfort. What would be a better statement is a physical one. Simply be there and be silent."

I agree. There are others that get my goat, too. There is a time for speaking and a time to be silent, and when one speaks it should be wisely.