Grappling With Grief: A Review of “What Does the Bible Say About Suffering?”

7th September, 2016

The problem of pain and suffering is one of the more vexing – and universally experienced – mysteries in the Christian life. It’s an important subject that should always be approached with gentleness and respect. Thankfully, Brian Han Gregg, who teaches biblical studies at the University of Sioux Falls, manages to faithfully embody both of these traits in his new book, What Does the Bible Say About Suffering?. Gregg thinks that believers trying to make sense of suffering should do so in deep conversation with Scripture. After all, he writes, “Christians are people of the Word. We are convinced that God has disclosed important truths to us through the Scripture.”¹pp.13-14.

Therefore, it only makes sense that followers of Jesus should turn to the poems, narratives, and letters of Scripture to help understand the world’s brokenness and brutality. Despite wholeheartedly agreeing that Christians should seek out the Bible for its wisdom, he differs with those who think that Scripture contains a single, straightforward explanation to the problem of suffering. For Gregg, “The Bible includes a number of different approaches [to suffering]… and we do ourselves and the Bible a great disservice by adopting a one-size-fits-all approach.”²p.14.

References [ + ]

1.	↑	pp.13-14.
2.	↑	p.14.

The Wisdom of Justice: Job

Chris Wermeskerch

31st August, 2016

Theology

So far in my series on the theme of justice in the Wisdom books, we have looked at the Proverbs and Israel’s Psalter. In the Proverbs, we saw a revelation of God’s character as someone who is personally involved in bringing justice to the world and rewarding those who worked toward justice. As we sang through the Psalter, we saw God’s Son, the King, who works to bring God’s kingdom to the world and remake its citizens as people who look like God. Yet, for some, this might still remain somewhat abstract. So what if God is working to bring justice to the world? We don’t live in the eschaton: we live in the now, where violence still disrupts life and people still love themselves over their neighbors.

This is where the story of Job can help fill in the gaps.¹While it may not be completely right, for many reasons, to equate Job’s suffering with systemic injustice, I think there is still a lot to learn from Job. Job is the story of a man who had it all, even by our standards. He had a large family, good standing with God, and a lot of possessions. He even used these possessions for the advancement of his community (Job 28). He made sacrifices, anxious to keep his family right in the sight of God. His children gathered often to feast and make merry together. He had servants who watched over his cattle and his fields. One day, though, that all changed.

References [ + ]

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While it may not be completely right, for many reasons, to equate Job’s suffering with systemic injustice, I think there is still a lot to learn from Job.