Customer Reviews

When Suffering Persists

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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.

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.