If God is Good  by Randy Alcorn presents a biblical approach to maintaining faith and hope in the midst of suffering and adversity.

When people face adversity they often wonder,  “If God is all good, then he would want to prevent evil and suffering.  If he is all knowing, then he would know how to prevent it.  If God is all powerful, then he is able to prevent it.   And yet . . .  a great deal of evil and suffering exists.  Why?” (p. 18).

This book addresses the thoughts and questions that people have asked throughout the ages as they have encountered the problem of suffering and evil.  Alcorn provides a biblical response to this dilemma as he challenges the reader to adopt a biblical worldview.  “If we come to see the purpose of the universe as God’s long-term glory rather than our short-term happiness, then we will undergo a critical paradigm shift in tackling the problem of evil and suffering” (p. 60).

Alcorn writes with a pastor’s heart seeking to prepare the reader before the storm of adversity arrives.  “If we learn now the meaning of God’s sovereignty and goodness, a biblical theology of suffering will sustain us when suffering comes” (p. 366).  Throughout the book there are testimonies of men and women who have faced adversity as well as wisdom from the ages, “Puritan Thomas Manton said, ‘While all things are quiet and comfortable, we live by sense rather than faith.  But the worth of a soldier is never known in times of peace'”  (p. 420).

Alcorn may challenge your view of facing adversity.  Our initial response is often to pray that the suffering will be taken away – rather our response should be to learn what God is teaching us in this situation.   If you or someone you know is facing suffering or adversity then you will find this a helpful resource.  (I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review).

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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