Why must humanity suffer? In this elegant and thoughtful work, C. S. Lewis questions the pain and suffering that occur everyday and how this contrasts with the notion of a God that is both omnipotent and good. An answer to this critical theological problem is found within these pages.
The Problem of Pain (Collected Letters of C.S. Lewi)
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The Problem of Pain answers the universal question, "Why would an all-loving, all-knowing God allow people to experience pain and suffering?" Master Christian apologist C.S. Lewis asserts that pain is a problem because our finite, human minds selfishly believe that pain-free lives would prove that God loves us. In truth, by asking for this, we want God to love us less, not more than he does. "Love, in its own nature, demands the perfecting of the beloved; that the mere 'kindness' which tolerates anything except suffering in its object is, in that respect at the opposite pole from Love." In addressing "Divine Omnipotence," "Human Wickedness," "Human Pain," and "Heaven," Lewis succeeds in lifting the reader from his frame of reference by artfully capitulating these topics into a conversational tone, which makes his assertions easy to swallow and even easier to digest. Lewis is straightforward in aim as well as honest about his impediments, saying, "I am not arguing that pain is not painful. Pain hurts. I am only trying to show that the old Christian doctrine that being made perfect through suffering is not incredible. To prove it palatable is beyond my design." The mind is expanded, God is magnified, and the reader is reminded that he is not the center of the universe as Lewis carefully rolls through the dissertation that suffering is God's will in preparing the believer for heaven and for the full weight of glory that awaits him there. While many of us naively wish that God had designed a "less glorious and less arduous destiny" for his children, the fortune lies in Lewis's inclination to set us straight with his charming wit and pious mind. --Jill Heatherly
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“It is really a pleasure to be able to praise a book unreservedly, and that is just what I can do with The Problem of Pain .” (Guardian )
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More About the Author
Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963), known as Jack to his friends, was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. His major contributions in literary criticism, children's literature, fantasy literature, and popular theology brought him international renown and acclaim. Lewis and his good friend J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of the The Lord of the Rings, were part of the Inklings, an informal writers' club that met at a local pub to discuss story ideas. Lewis's fascination with fairy tales, myths, and ancient legends, coupled with inspiration drawn from his childhood, led him to write The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, one of the best-loved books of all time. Six further books followed to become the immensely popular The Chronicles of Narnia. The final title in the series, The Last Battle, won the Carnegie Medal, one of the highest marks of excellence in children's literature. His other distinguished and popular accomplishments include Out of the Silent Planet, The Four Loves, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
288 of 303 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A quick warning to those who have been pointed to this book but are not Christian: you are not the audience Lewis is speaking to. This book cannot be fully grasped in its original context without some degree of belief or acceptance of Christian doctrine. It is apologetics at its best, but cannot be considered in the "self-help" category like many contemporary titles are.
That said, this must be the finest treatise on the apparent contradiction between the existence of pain and the existence of a supposedly loving God that has been written.
Succint, well-organized, thorough, yet "The Problem of Pain" still reads like it was written by a human being rather than a scholar. Some chapters bring conviction. The chapter on Hell brings fear and dread, and respect for Him who can "destroy both body and soul in Hell". The chapter on Heaven, which Lewis admits is his own philosophical foray, no one else's -- brings hope and reassurance that Heaven is your true calling, your one True Home.
This is not light reading, at least not at first. This may not be a book to recommend to someone at the height of a crisis; Lewis taxes your attention and does not take any short cuts. A "Cliff Notes" version of this book would miss the point. Pain is one of the toughest theological problems a Christian can face, either in their lives or the life of another person they know -- and Lewis does not want you going in armed with half an argument or some "Precious Moments" sentiment.
From a non-Christian POV, I would be surprised if this book made much sense -- so many of the pillars are set on Christian theology, philosophy, and tradition. If you cannot (or will not) accept the possibility of the existence of Heaven, Hell, or God, this book will be just so much incomprehensible babble.
But, as I said, it is not written for that segment of the market. This book is best read by the thinking Christian who has reservations about aspects of Christianity that seem to gloss over, avoid, or ignore the issue of human suffering.
126 of 139 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book clarified many issues in my life and turned my God from One that was a bit of a stretch to fit into my everyday world, into a God which makes himself evident in every aspect of the earth, evil and pain included. I think this book frankly is a better apology for Christianity than Mere Christianity. Definitely a good introduction to the problem of pain, and the clearest exposition of the free-will defense I have read. C.S. Lewis deals with a concept lofty and philosophical in a manner that grips my attention and bolsters my faith. I recommend this book first above all Lewis' other books on theology.
63 of 67 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lewis analyzes the fundamental question, or problem, of pain: how can God be omnipotent and yet allow pain (war, injury, cruelty, etc.)? Lewis's answer has many levels. Foremost, is that nature had to be created with certain unchangeable properties. For example, the same hardness which allows wood to serve as a beam in my house allows it to serve as an instrument of potential injury, as when that beam collapses and hits my head.
The world also had to be created neutral so that humans could interact equally with one another, i.e., those same, unchanging properties of wood allow it to be manipulated similarly by anyone. But, obviously a neutral world contains the potential for good or evil. Wood can be used to build a home, which is good, or to create a weapon, which is evil. But, this is what makes us human. We have free will.
If I choose evil, God could not intervene. For to intervene some times but not others would be unjust and illogical (this is why miracles, if you believe in them, are extraordinarily rare). And to intervene once is to intervene always. Imagine if God intervened each time one person was going to cause another, or himself, pain. If he did, we all would be puppets, not humans.
Another interesting idea in this book is that of Original Sin. According to Lewis, we have not inherited Adam's sin, as is commonly believed, but instead everyday face Adam's identical choice, perhaps thousands of times a day. For Adam's sin was not disobedience in eating the apple, but in choosing himself over God. Adam had the opportunity to see himself either as a creation or an individual self existing apart from God. Thus, according to Lewis, a final reason for pain, is that it is God's wake-up call that we have, in constantly choosing ourselves, chosen the wrong thing.
This is a profound and provocative book.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very disappointed...
I just want to say first, that I hate people that just hop on and write bad reviews for things that they haven't even read because they disagree with the stance. Read more
Published 8 days ago by John Paul Kerber
Suffering, Anxiety, Depression, Angst. . . they cause pain
In picking up this volumne it has been a long time since I read anything by C.S. Lewis. I had forgotten how logic oriented he is and how these writing of his can be very academic... Read more
Published 1 month ago by William D. Curnutt
Not a light read; examines sticky subjects within Christianity
Lewis wanted to write this book anonymously because he felt he was too much an amateur and a layman to cover such a theologically difficult subject. Read more
Published 2 months ago by James R Ament
If the universe is so evil...
Suffering is not an easy subject to approach. Humans are virtually incapable of approaching the topic objectively. We all have experienced suffering in some way. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Reid Mccormick
The Problem of Pain
I am very happy with the speed of the service I received as I ordered this book during the Christmas rush. It arrived in great condition.
Published 4 months ago by pansypen
Great deal
Very fine response. Would have called the book "good" as opposed to "very good" due yellowing and aging of pages; but the book was for me and I was appreciative of the content --... Read more
Published 4 months ago by coffee lover
Excellent Philosophical Treatise on the Problem of PAIN
I have recommended this book to so many people over the years. CS Lewis's writings have a certain wit about them that keep you entertained while at the same time exploring vast... Read more
Published 5 months ago by smurphy
The Problem of Pain
If yout trying to figure out what the author is trying to say don't buy this book. Not an easy reader.
Published 8 months ago by Rob
A Must-Read Book on Christianity's Thorniest Issue
St. Thomas Aquinas said that there really is only one legitimate objection to the existence of God--the problem of pain. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Brandon Vogt
Copouts, Evasions and Hidden Assumptions Aplenty
CS Lewis is held by many to be the premier Christian apologist of the 20th century. Unless one is morbidly naive, or has yet to encounter the counterarguments to Christianity in... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Winston D. Jen
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Not many years ago when I was an atheist, if anyone had asked me, 'Why do you not believe in God?' Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
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Our Lord, God Himself, Holy Spirit New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Not many years ago when I was an atheist, if anyone had asked me, 'Why do you not believe in God?' Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
corporate guilt Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Our Lord, God Himself, Holy Spirit New!
Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 24
books:
See all 24 books this book cites
100
books
cite this book:
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- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Screwtape Letters: Includes Screwtape Proposes a Toast by C.S. Lewis in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis in Front Matter, and Back Matter
- The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis in Front Matter, and Back Matter
See all 24 books this book cites
- The Restored Gospel According to C.S. Lewis by Nathan Jensen on 24 pages
- A Field Guide to Narnia by Colin Duriez on 12 pages
- Face to Face: Meditations on the Life Everlasting by G. Thompson Brown on 8 pages
- Revisiting Narnia: Fantasy, Myth And Religion in C. S. Lewis' Chronicles (Smart Pop series) by Shanna Caughey on 8 pages
- Perspectives on an Evolving Creation by Keith B. Miller on 7 pages
See all 100 books citing this book
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