This is a collection of talks given in a Christian conference called Suffering and the Sovereignty of God. All the talks deal with this theme, with some focusing on how Bible portrays suffering and the sovereignty of God, some giving advice on how Christians who are suffering should walk in faith and in their understanding of the sovereignty of God, and some sharing their testimony about how they walked in suffering. My favorite chapter is the talk given by John Piper, on six ways suffering can help Christians mature. He cites Bible verses for all six reasons. and he communicates the six reasons in an enthusiastic, passionate style that makes the reader actually feel uplifted when thinking about suffering as part of God's plan for Christian growth. Overall what stayed with me the most in explaining how suffering and God's sovereignty coexist is the account of Joseph in the Bible, in which Joseph said his brothers meant to harm him, but God meant it for good. That really helped me understand how bad things can be part of God's sovereign plan. Another detail of the book that stayed with me is David Powlison really, really, really likes the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" :P He liked it so much he gave an entire workshop on it. ( )

Este no es un libro académico, sino un libro escrito por personas que sufrieron de dolores en su vida y que desean compartir con los lectores
las enseñanzas que recibieron de Dios en medio de los momentos desagradables en sus vidas. Este libro surge a partir de experiencias reales y aplica las Escrituras al mundo en que vivimos. Servirá de motivación a los cristianos a vivir una vida más llena de la gracia de Dios.

There are dozens of books on the topic of God and human suffering, both in the popular press and from the halls of academia.

Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, however, is different from all of them.

Born out of the 2005 Desiring God National Conference, this is an anthology from seven different authors. All of the authors and their essays are deeply rooted in two things: suffering and the sovereignty of God. All of the authors have personally experienced suffering: two are paralyzed, two are suffering from prostate cancer, two have tragically lost loved ones on the mission field. And all of the authors share an unshakeable conviction in the absolute sovereignty of God, and how standing on this firm foundation makes human suffering both bearable and indeed meaningful as part of our salvation and God's glorification.

Piper starts with a theological overview of why God has ordained suffering in this world, as well as chapters on the role of Satan and the particular role of suffering in the lives of saints. Stephen Saint, son of the murdered missionary to the Aucas Nate Saint, reflects on the role of suffering in missions. Carl Ellis discusses ethnic suffering, while psychologist David Powlison opens up the grace of God in suffering. David Schramek gives an intensely personal essay on the pain of waiting for God during suffering, and Joni Eareckson Tada closes with an essay on our real hope.

Intensely personal and thoroughly Biblical, this book gives true insight and comfort for the hurting and those striving to help them. Highly recommended. ( )

http://www.tutak.com/?p=156 ( )

From Daniel Christensen