In his book, How Long O Lord, D.A. Carson gives reflections on the problem of a good, all-powerful God and a world with evil. This book is now being republished so I don’t know how many differences there are between the newest version and my 1990 copy.
What I appreciate about Carson’s approach is that there is a serious effort to examine the Biblical data. Most of the book deals with the various forms of evil and suffering as they are found in Scripture. Even as he puts the pieces together towards the end of the book, he builds his case from Scripture. Carson is quite clear and easy to follow.
Plus this book is helpful. You don’t just feel intellectually satisfied (or challenged), but you are given wisdom in dealing with suffering and evil. For example, I liked his section on Job. Carson spends quite a bit of time going over the setting, the people, what exactly they are saying, how Job is responding, what God does, etc. But the end is packaged rather convincingly:
“This is, at the end of the day, the ultimate test of our knowledge of God. Is it robust enough that, when faced with excruciating adversity, it may prompt us to lash out with hard questions, but will never permit us to turn away from God?” (p 178)
Great book; it is a great read and resource. I am sure the new version is just as good.
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