I received my latest Crossway book for review the same week the world watched and waited for the latest devastating news surrounding the horrific atrocities committed against the people of Israel and the looming threats of war hanging over us all. We wait for reports of good, we struggle to hold onto our hope in light of the constant bombardment of bad news. We wait as innocent men, women and children-specifically in Israel -many of whom have been held hostage for over 500 days- some even longer, are released. Waiting for some to be returned safely alive, and some, to our horror, and sadness in coffins. Waiting and watching for news that can only make one wonder about the same horrors committed in our not so distant past…against the Jewish people. We see evil on every side unleashed before our eyes roaming freely in our streets. We wait, we weep, we wonder. We wait wondering where is God in all this? Where is God in the evil that seems to grow faster than the good we so desire.
So the timing of this book could not have been better. Let me share with you my thoughts on this book which tackles one of the greatest questions we can ever face in our faith journey.
First, this little book: Where Is God in a World with So Much Evil by Colin Hansen newly released from Crossway, does not offer pat, unsatisfying answers to unanswerable questions. I am grateful for that. The book opens with an inside look at Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem.
Stop for a minute. Take that in. Because I think that is a perfect place to start. When I think of the Shoah – the Holocaust, I think of the six million lives in the shape of the question that is the title of the book. I think of six million whys. I think of the whys now in communist countries, like China, where the people have no voices. Evil still continues to do its work, of that there is no doubt. When I think of multitudes of lives, in the form of many people I am overwhelmed. But when the news shows me the faces of the individuals, the men, women, the children- not the six million, but the ones, twos, threes…the individuals. I am devastated. Who can stand up to that?
Who can stand up to the recent pictures of released hostages murdered by Hamas: Oded Lifshitz, and Shiri Bibas and her two children — Ariel and Kfir Bibas. Those babies especially breaking our hearts for suffering in ways we will never comprehend.
When I think about theses things my heart wants to cry out to God, “How can you let this keep happening?”
What I appreciate the most about this book, is the affirming walk through scripture that guides me to the broader place that is not sure in its answer but points me in the direction that does bring comfort. Because the direction of comfort is not always the sure answer but the direction itself and where it is pointing. Stay with me…
I probably shouldn’t have chosen to a review a book focused on something I have thought too often about myself, because I am diluting this with so many of my own most recent thoughts. Maybe you are too? I often will parent myself away from the news so I don’t make myself crazy about, well to be frank, all the evil reporting- not to mention the terrible journalism and media direction the past ten years or so. But lately, I have found myself watching or wanting to be a bit more aware. Which circles me directly into the title of this book again!
The author makes an argument that our standard for evil has been changed in the shadow of Auschwitz. Jesus was our moral standard at one time. Now, if we are not as bad as Hitler, then we are doing ok. Talk about a paradigm shift that is subtle but powerful. Please realize that I am condensing what I have read to an oversimplified statement, but if you read this book you will appreciate the author’s well thought out, and researched presentation that brings one to that conclusion.
From Ellie Wiesel to Job, those who have bravely questioned God’s silence go before us. Taking examples of those challenged by God’s seeming silence from great classic literature, as well as scripture, he leads us through the voices of those who have spoken out loud what many fear to voice – but think to themselves.
We are eventually brought to Isaiah and the Cross -which is the only way through the unanswerable questions and to the incomprehensible God who leads us.
I found this book’s gospel presentation to be especially good. Especially for those who have suffered. We are all backed up into the same corner in my estimation. Ultimately. We need the way through and out of the corner. There is no other way.
The most practical points laid out in this short read (44 pages) is that we are made in God’s image, and because of this we long for what He longs for. In our times of questioning, the answer lies not so much in the sure thing, but maybe in the one to whom we are willing to still ask the hard questions. We need to keep directing our hard questions to the One we profess to believe. Whether He answers or not, is not the most important thing. But that we stay on speaking terms. Maybe this is the answer. To keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.
This book is, as I said short, but I appreciated some very good references and book sources/suggestions. This book is also part of a series by The Gospel Coalition called “Hard Questions”. If this is representative of the rest of the books in the series, I would recommend all of them. Choose one that is a question for you.
Here are the additional topics:
- Does God Care about Gender Identity?
- Why Do We Feel Lonely at Church?
- Is Christianity Good for the World?
- What Does Depression Mean for My Faith?
- Did the Resurrection Really Happen?
Thank you for reading my thoughts (I know they were a bit all over the place) and review of “Where is God in a World with So Much Evil?” If you have a question, please comment below. I did receive this book free in exchange for an honest review. I am not otherwise compensated in any way by Crossway. I will say, I am impressed regularly by the quality and excellence of the Crossway books I review and the choices they make available through their publishing.
Enthusiastically, Dawn
P.S. Check back later this week, as I share my short version testimony! Like and share this post if you are into that kind of stuff! ( I greatly appreciate that!)
Enthusiastically, Dawn 