Play the Ball Where the Monkey Drops It: Why We Suffer and How We Can Hope [Hardcover]

Gregory K. Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2001

During colonial times the British living in India tried to play golf, only to be frustrated by monkeys who disrupted the game by chasing the golf balls and creating chaos. The British tried erecting fences and posting guards to keep the monkeys back, but eventually decided to play the ball where the monkey dropped it -- as we often must do in life, to live as best we can with forces that are beyond our control.Why must we suffer? Gregory Knox Jones tackles this enduring issue of life with clarity and intelligence, offering hope to anyone who is struggling with the pain and confusion of unjust suffering. Dr. Jones recounts the life stories he has seen in his work as a pastor: parents losing their child in a car accident, a runner coping with the amputation of his leg. Every day good people suffer, raising the question: Why is this so, if there is a just and all-powerful God? The response that God works in mysterious ways that are beyond human understanding simply isn't adequate in the face of such profound suffering. Dr. Jones, who has more than twenty years' experience in the parish, found that he had to rethink his ideas as he ministered to people in pain and grief. The wisdom that he gained enabled him to lead people through the most difficult circumstances to healing and new hope.Now, in "Play the Ball Where the Monkey Drops It," Jones gently guides us through the inadequacies of the traditional solutions to the problem of evil, offering practical and compassionate answers to the deepest questions rooted in the experience of everyday life. Notable for its relevant real-life examples and its clarity, this book offers guidance and solace to anyone who has ever wondered, "Why me?"

Editorial Reviews

Review

?Wonderfully readable and spiritually insightful, this remarkable book combines the wisdom of a parish pastor with the reflections of a serious theological thinker. "Play the Ball Where the Monkey Drops It will be of great interest not only to people dealing with loss, but to anybody who has puzzled about the reality of suffering in a world created by God.?Marcus Borg, author of "Reading the Bible Again for the First Time

About the Author

Dr. Gregory Knox Jones is a descendant of John Knox, who founded the Presbyterian Church in Scotland. He is pastor of Chester Presbyterian Church in Chester, Virginia. He and his wife have three grown children and a granddaughter.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (August 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688171427
• ISBN-13: 978-0688171421
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #687,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I experienced tears and laughter, December 17, 2001

By 

Bernie Siegal - See all my reviews

This review is from: Play the Ball Where the Monkey Drops It: Why We Suffer and How We Can Hope (Hardcover)

"I experienced tears and laughter while reading Play the Ball
Where The Monkey Drops It, which tells me this book truly
speaks of the nature of life...It can save you a lot of hard
fought learning and move you up several classes with its
wisdom."

Bernie Siegel, M.D., author of Love, Medicine and Miracles

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful exploration, December 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Play the Ball Where the Monkey Drops It: Why We Suffer and How We Can Hope (Hardcover)

"This is a wonderful exploration of how we are to understand
and respond to suffering, misfortune and death, especially
when the tragedy seems unjust or undeserved. The book is
filled with wonderful stories and personal experiences from
Greg Jones' life and ministry. He clarifies what we should and
should not expect of God in such crises. Those who heed the
wisdom of this book will grow in the face of adversity."

Edward A. White, Senior Consultant, The Alban Institute

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Healing and coping from a tragedy, September 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Play the Ball Where the Monkey Drops It: Why We Suffer and How We Can Hope (Hardcover)

I began reading this book [recently]. The world was asking "where was God" on that day. Dr. Jones discusses that very question and his insight was comforting. This book brought a new dimension to my faith and my trust in God's love and power in our daily lives. The book is easy to read and understand and very helpful for anyone that has lost a loved one or is dealing with a personal "why me, Lord" situation. I highly recommend it.