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The Problem of Pain Paperback – April 28, 2015

by C. S. Lewis (Author)

416 customer reviews

in Religious Ethics

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In The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis, one of the most renowned Christian authors and thinkers, examines a universally applicable question within the human condition: “If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain?” With his signature wealth of compassion and insight, C.S. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to help heal a world hungering for a true understanding of human nature.

The Problem of Pain

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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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Product details

Series: Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis
Paperback: 176 pages
Publisher: HarperOne; Revised ed. edition (April 28, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0060652969
ISBN-13: 978-0060652968
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.4 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (416 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Ethics
- #5 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living > Death & Grief
- #14 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Theology > Apologetics

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416

4.5 out of 5 stars

5 star		71%
4 star		14%
3 star		7%
2 star		3%
1 star		5%

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Top Customer Reviews

Chapter on animal pain was astonishing

BySeñor Wolfon May 29, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book. The problem of pain is of course the subject of focus, but the book is nearly comprehensive as an explanation of the Christian worldview. Lewis is a clear thinker and writer. The last chapter on animal pain was astonishing and presents theories I'd never before considered. I've given this book as a gift twice since reading it in 2014.

0Comment 12 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Thought Provoking Book

ByKyla Benderon July 17, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

It is no secret that C.S. Lewis is an incredible writer and story teller. Unlike his popular series The Chronicles of Narnia this book is nonfiction; however, it is still written in the dreamy, thought-provoking way that The Chronicles of Narnia are. Lewis has a way of taking common questions and concerns that everyone is struggling with and offer a type of explanation for them. While it was a required textbook reading for a college course that I took, I am genuinely glad that I was introduced to the book and I would absolutely recommend reading it even if it is not necessary for a class that you are taking. If you struggle with the existence of pain in a world with an all-loving God, this book is definitely for you. As with every sermon or reading that discusses theology, it is very important that you take C.S. Lewis's words and see how they line up with The Bible and your own convictions given to you by The Lord. However, I truly believe that you will find greater peace after reading this book. This book causes you to think and may challenge some existing beliefs that you have. Ultimately, it will cause you to grow as a person. I was also very happy with the seller of this book. The book arrived in perfect condition and did not have any marks on the inside or tears anywhere on the book. It was shipped the day that I ordered it and arrived the day that it said it would. If you are looking for a challenging book and want to dive deeper into the question of the existence of pain, I recommend getting your hands on this book!

0Comment 14 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Painful Problem Unsolved

ByGlen V. Mcintyreon October 6, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

"The Problem of Pain" has always been one of the great difficulties facing a devout Christian, as Lewis was. The existence of pain and suffering in this world has beena sufficient argument for many either that God does not exist or that "he" is either indifferent to the sufferings of humanity or indeed actively hostile.
I have long been a fan of C.S. Lewis and looked forward to his take on the problem. I gave this book 4 stars, since i almost always like C.S. Lewis,but I found the book to contain the writing of Lewis at his most professor- like. It was written before his marriage to Joy Davidman when he had a more personal experience with what pain was. His reaction to that situation is found in a much more satisfying book called A GRIEF OBSERVED.
I don't think Lewis solved the problem in this book, but it is worth reading.

0Comment 5 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

This is a very difficult book and one has to ...

ByPat Austinon October 29, 2015

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a very difficult book and one has to take into account the period it was written. As one sifts through book, there are a lot of nuggets that can be applied to anyone's life. Life is difficult but this book helps you to understand God and think differently about struggles experienced in life!

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Another part of the triage

ByRoxanne Jenkinson May 9, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

As always C.S.Lewis at his best. This is part of a sweet triage of the gains we are to achieve through life's many depths of. despair. Always with the Masters hand.

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For Anyone Wondering about the Meaning of Pain in a World Created by God

ByMysteryFanaticon January 1, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Lewis answers the age old question, and the one used by many to negate the existence of God - "If God were good, He would make His creatures perfectly happy, and if He were almighty He would be able to do what he wished. But the creatures are not happy. Therefore God lacks either goodness, or power, or both." Lewis then works through the argument from there, and concludes, "Try to exclude the possiblity of suffering which the order of nature and the existence of free-wills involve, and you will find that you have excluded life itself." In doing so, he explores the difference in love and kindness, explores the question how a "bad" creature could come from the hands of a good Creator, the meaning of the Creation and Fall, the meaning of evil or cruelty, the illusion of self-reliance and pain's role in breaking that illusion and re-forming it into true self-suffiency as a co-creator with God.

Lewis makes valuable, thoughtful arguments that hold together all the way to the end, building on each argument to the next. If you've ever wondered about the meaning of pain in a world created by God, this is your book.

Although the book may feel somewhat difficult to plow through, particularly at first, this is mostly due to the difference in writing style when Lewis wrote the book and the difficulty of the topic. The book becomes easier to read as you make your way through it. This is not a book to be skimmed - it requires thoughtful, thorough reading.

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Looking at pain from a higher plane

ByThomas K Thomason July 28, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is a masterpiece of a treatise on the problem of pain. CS Lewis with both an ultra wide lens and also with great precision maps out the Christian solution to the problem that has dogged the individual sufferer and theologians and philosophers through the ages. Einstein once said no problem can be solved when we remain at the state at which the problem was created in the first place. Well CS Lewis here succeeds in lifting his readers to a higher plane from which to view the problem. At this new plane somehow pain seems to diminish and Christ and His works takes on a presence of greater significance. I personally am very grateful that this book is still available and am especially grateful that the audio version came bundled with the kindle edition.

Sandeep Thomas

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CS Lewis makes us think more deeply!

ByVonion July 15, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

How does one review any book by CS Lewis?
He is one of my favorite authors... this book approaches pain as only CS Lewis can. Always an unexpected depth.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Great read

C.S. Lewis is a philosopher with a great mind. In this book the reader can gain a fresh perspective on what the purpose of pain is used for.Read more

Published 21 hours ago by Kindle Customer 1

Three Stars

Lewis denies the literal creation account. Turned me off.Read more

Published 2 days ago by experiencemattnelson

Nice and valuable.

value for this price. very well. so fast, receive it next day , arrived on time, nice package, really like the product very sharp well balanced, good heft enjoyed using it very...Read more

Published 6 days ago by Alfred

arrive on time.

very fast, receive it next day. These shears are very durable and made of high quality material. feel very good . I received this product on time and in very safe packaging.Read more

Published 6 days ago by Stev

One of his best books.

Superb! One of his best books.Read more

Published 24 days ago by Amazon Customer

partly due to the fact that his English is so much better than the average person today

C.S. Lewis can be rather difficult to read. Partly due to the fact it was written 75+ years ago; partly due to the fact that his English is so much better than the average person...Read more

Published 1 month ago by Josh Miller

Five Stars

Excellent Read more

Published 1 month ago by Thomas Lassiter

Consolation for the credulous

Casuistry deployed by a consummate writer.Read more

Published 1 month ago by Holofernes

Binding quality ☹️

Received the book today. Disappointed in the quality of the binding; the cover had unattached from the book.Read more

Published 2 months ago by Scott Rambo

Good, but not Lewis's best

There is much good in Lewis's attempt to reconcile a benevolent God's existence with the reality of a painful world that we see everyday.Read more

Published 2 months ago by DantheMan

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