Customer Reviews

The Gospel According to Job: An Honest Look at Pain and Doubt from the Life of One Who Lost Everything

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Here is a modern 'classic' about the Bible's oldest book, the Book of Job. Job is a 'true classic' in that everybody can relate to the narrative of Job. Mason does an EXCELLENT job of [and according to his forward, he's learned from personal experience] devotionally and practically opening up the eternal issues of doubt, suffering, faith and the human experience. Although it is not meant to be a scholarly commentary, Mason does better than most 'scholarly' commentators with the questions and answers we find in the Biblical narrative of Job. Everybody shares the things Job went through, the important thing is to see that Job [as Mason brings out extremely well] was moved TOWARD God, not away from God in Job's trials and sufferings. As Mason says people reject Jesus but no one rejects Job. And as Job found out you can't reject the Redeemer! Mason's 'Gospel According to Job' is VERY worthwhile reading for pastors, Bible students and any believer seeking a deeper walk with the Lord. With so much PLASTIC Christianity out there, it is great to find some depth. Recommended highly for anyone who faces LIFE. Another largely unknown excellent work on Job is 'Portraits of Perseverance' by Henry Gariepy [Victor Books, 1989]--I don't know if you can find it anywhere but Gariepy [a Salvation Army pastor] does an excellent job of commenting on the Book of Job in short devotional statements, showing Job as a man [like all of us] moved TOWARD God through pain, suffering and trials.

I have read and pondered the Book of Job many times in my life. But Mike Mason's book goes to the top of my all time list. It is a devotional but so much more. Mason has obviously rubbed shoulders with Joblike suffering, and he has not lost faith. Rather, his faith had been deepened. He has brought a scholarly and devotional blend to his writing. I have been deeply affected and recommend this book to everyone, seeker and believer alike.

My uncle in recommending this book said, 'If I were stranded on a deserted island and could have with me only two books--one, of course, would be the Bible, the other would be The Gospel According to Job.' My personal choices, though, would be (one) the Bible and (two) a comprehensive survival guide with detailed instructions on how to build a boat. However, if I were given a third choice, I would undoubtedly have with me The Gospel According to Job. It's the most profound commentary on Christian living I've ever read. I've handed out dozens to friends and family.

All the chapters are two pages in length and are perfect in size for devotional reading. The Gospel According to Job, in truth, is so rich and deep with insight, I find it best to chew on small pieces of its wisdom at a time. It is--in its own right--a practical and spiritual guide for life, and has built me up in ways no other book has. Please read it.

Do you ever feel like giving up trying to figure life out? Figuring religion out? Figuring out God? So did Job. The book of Job is a fascinating account of a man struggling with life and struggling with how to equate God into the seemingly unexplainable matrix of existence.

This book consists of over 200 short chapters following different verses chronologically found in the book of Job. These short chapters hold tremendous insight yet they are very easy to read. Mike Mason writes in a humble, honest way that makes for educational, edifying reading. He shares his own struggles and doubts, and these often parallel what Job experienced.

I have heard and/or read many different `answers' to the book of Job. There are dozens of different types of explanations, and some are completely opposite. Mike Mason doesn't try to give an answer to the book of Job, but instead writes a devotional type commentary that often asks more questions than provides answers.

I recommend this book to any Christian- especially those who struggle with `trying to figure God out.' In all of our searching, studying, philosophizing and debating- I believe God wants us to come to the same knowledge of Himself as Job came to near the end of the book. God wants us to say WOW.

Mike Mason's "The Gospel According to Job" creates a biblical sufferology: a theology of suffering. Point by point, or, more accurately, verse by verse, Mason guides readers, like an ancient spiritual director, into the depth of human suffering. His co-guide is the greatest human sufferer of all time--Job.

As Mason explains in his preface, "The Gospel According to Job" is not a commentary but a devotional. Those looking for an exegetical commentary will, therefore, be disappointed. However, those looking for an accurate, unique, refreshing, practical explanation of the life of Job, will be encouraged.

Mason is a skilled wordsmith which makes this rather lenghty book an easy read, as does the two-to-three page "chapters." Many of the insights, in particular that Job is about Job, more than it is about God, are startling. In fact, readers of this review are likely saying, "What!? How can Job NOT be about God?" Oh, it is. But it is MORE about God's view of Job than it is about Job's view of God. If I say more, I'll ruin the suspense . . .

Not every "chapter" provides the same depth of insight, with some more provocative and perhaps more exegetically grounded than others. But, isn't that the way with a "devotional book." More than enough chapters are "dead on" to make "The Gospel According to Job" a powerful addition to your arsenal in the battle for your soul when Satan assaults.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Soul Physicians," "Spiritual Friends," and the forthcoming "Sacred Friendships: Listening to the Voices of Women Soul Care-Givers and Spiritual Directors."

An excellent book to have by your bedside and use as a devotional during time of suffering.. What an encouragement ! Very insightful and thought provoking!

This book is the most inspired, rich, thoughtful and deep journey into the text of Job and its immediate relevance to the Gospel. C.S. Lewis would be very proud of Mike Mason's journey through the Gospel of Job. Mike Mason and C.S. Lewis have received the same gift. This book is a joy to read and reread.

This book is a wonderful commentary on Job, deep and thought-provoking. I have bought copies for friends who were having problems.

This is the best book I have ever read, bar none. I'm sixty years old. Been in ministry 30 years. Mason has turned my nice neat evangelical theology on its ear. I never read a book more than once. Ever. I am starting my fourth reading this month. I would give a month's salary to sit down over coffee with this author.

The all time best books to read if you want to survive suffering, pain, despair, pride are Mike Mason The Gospel According to Job. Peter Kreeft Making Sense out of Suffering and Paul Tournier Creative Suffering. But Mike's book goes to the only place suffering is ever faced with death, namely, the cross.
Mike Mason has gone beyond anybody, ever. Your mind, heart and volition will be comforted and the lies during suffering that come to haunt you...will scream!
I have been reading this masterpiece since 2002 without being able to put it down.
I have read all the books on suffering that are available and I want to save you time by telling you: Make Mike's book your new never-ending friend.
C.S.Lewis would love it as well as Chesterton.
No Christian should live without reading it.
SUFFERING IS THE ROAD TO MEET JESUS...and Mike Mason will walk with you during the pain...