When Suffering Persists [Paperback]

Frederick W. Jr. Schmidt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

Sometimes pain passes quickly and small losses are easily absorbed. But when suffering goes on and on, for people of faith, the resulting crisis can be deeper and more destructive than the loss itself. We look for ways to comfort those who are hurting. But sometimes, in spite of our good intentions, the cliches and simplistic theology we offer only add to the pain and misery.

In When Suffering Persists, Frederick W. Schmidt presents a pastoral exploration of ways to understand suffering theologically, offering an approach that ministers to both mind and spirit. He questions the value of our usual comforting words and examines the pat explanations we give one another. He provides instead a theology that takes seriously the devastating character of suffering, allowing for real help to those who continue in pain. Excellent for parish study.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An accessible and pastoral challenge to the pat answers often given to those who suffer, and a new theology of suffering that takes seriously the devastating character of painful experiences.

About the Author

The Rev. Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt, Jr. is an Episcopal priest and Director of Spiritual Life and Formation at the Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, in Dallas, Texas. From 1997 to 2000, he served in numerous capacities at Washington National Cathedral, including Canon Educator and Director of Programs in Spirituality. He is the author of more than sixty books and articles, including The Changing Face of God and A Still Small Voice: Women, Ordination, and the Church.

Product Details

• Paperback: 148 pages
• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0819218294
• ISBN-13: 978-0819218292
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #802,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The Reverend Dr. Frederick W. Schmidt, Jr. is an Episcopal Priest, Director of Spiritual Formation and Anglican Studies, and Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality at Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas. Prior to his arrival at SMU, he served as Canon Educator and Director of Programs in Spirituality and Religious Education at Washington National Cathedral; as special assistant to the President and Provost of La Salle University in Philadelphia; as a Fellow of the American Council on Education; and as Dean of St. George's College, Jerusalem. In addition he as served as a lecturer in New Testament studies at Oxford University, and as a Tutor in New Testament studies at Keble College, Oxford. He has been a guest lecturer at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Maryland and the Southwestern Medical Center at the University of Texas, Dallas. He is the author of numerous published articles and reviews, including entries in Doubleday's Anchor Bible Dictionary. He is author of A Still Small Voice: Women, Ordination and the Church (Syracuse University Press, 1998); The Changing Face of God (Morehouse-Continuum, 2000); When Suffering Persists (Morehouse-Continuum, 2001), in Italian translation: Sofferenza, All ricerca di una riposta (Torino: Claudiana, 2004); Conversations with Scripture: Revelation (Morehouse-Continuum, 2005); What God Wants for Your Life, Finding Answers to the Deepest Questions (HarperSanFrancisco, 2005); and Conversations with Scripture: Luke (Morehouse, 2009). Dr. Schmidt holds a bachelor's degree from Asbury College, the Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and the Doctor of Philosophy from Oxford University.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an antidote to the dumb things people say, January 17, 2004

By 

Catherine M. Wallace Ph.D. (CatherineMWallace.com) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Suffering Persists (Paperback)

When Suffering Persists is a masterpiece of practical theology: learned, elegant, nuanced, passionate, and yet absolutely accessible to those without theological education. Schmidt delineates a theology of suffering by exploring the inadequacy of our identifying God as both absolutely omnipotent and absolutely "good." He is remarkably sympathetic to and generous with claims that he sees as ultimately wrong-headed, but he is equally clear that when suffering persists then these claims unravel in devastating ways. When Suffering Persists offers a gentle but clear account that will prove both comforting and thought-provoking for people whose suffering has been deepened at times by inadequate theology or clumsy clergy. Schmidt argues that a theology of suffering must see God as unfailingly present, compassionate, and sustaining--not as an omnipotent figure who might have stopped or prevented suffering but who chooses not to. He makes that claim convincing, and at least for me has banished forever a whole collection of the dumb things some people say when tragedy strikes.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This author doesn't flinch, March 3, 2010

By 

Mary Benton - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: When Suffering Persists (Paperback)

There are many books to be read on the topic of suffering and how to make sense of it in the light of a belief in God. This book was fairly easy to read but was anything but superficial. Of a number of books I recently read on the subject, this book was the most bold. The author was by no means letting God off the hook easily. He debunked a lot of the platitudes that are so easily tossed to suffering people and brings forth a compassionate yet intelligent perspective. I haven't yet decided if I agree with all of the author's ideas but I am very glad to have read the book and been challenged by them.