When Bad Things Happen to Good People

"Kushner argues that God is too weak to stop the bad things of life.

He writes, "If God can't make my sickness go away, what good is He? Who needs Him? God does not want you to be sick or crippled. He didn't make you have this problem, and He doesn't want you to go on having it, but He can't make it go away. That is something which is too hard even for God."

That's not logical. How can the God be too weak to change the physical world that He created? Jesus heals the blind and crippled, changed water into wine, walked on water, and was resurrected -- all things that Kushner would say God is too weak to accomplish. Of course, Kushner is not a Christian, but a Jew, but does that mean he doesn't believe in any of the miracles of the Torah, such as the parting of the Red Sea?

And this statement is outrageous: "Are you capable of forgiving and loving God even when you have found out that He is not perfect, even when He has let you down and disappointed you by permitting bad luck and sickness and cruelty in His world, and permitting some of those things to happen to you? Can you learn to love and forgive Him despite His limitations ...?"

Yes, Kushner's God is weak. But Kushner's God is of his own creation. The true God of the Bible and of Truth and of the Universe is strong and perfect. He is Creator and Savior.

Buy "Mere Christianity" or "A Grief Observed," both by C.S. Lewis, to get a true understanding of God and suffering."
~ Written on 2008-08-10

"I chose to read this book because my Dad was diagnosed with Brain cancer and i found it to be extremely helpful, without being too 'religious'. I am not a church person, but i do believe in God. This book just seemed to wrap it's arm around me and let me think and feel exactly as i needed to, without offering any of that unhelpful help that others tend to, without thinking their words through first. I LOVED this book and it will most definitley be closely treasuerd by me, and pulled off the shelf everytime life gets a bit challlenging for me or someone i love. GREAT book!!"
~ Written on 2008-08-01

"Even though I am Methodist, I basically agree with Rabbi Kushner's philosophy. He takes a very ecumenical view. The book gives you a lot to think about, and is well written; although it may help if one has at least a little bit of Biblical literacy. Kushner references Genesis and the story of King David. He uses the book of Job as the central Bible lesson that connects to the theme of the book.

Over all, though, I would say that it is fairlt easy reading (much easier than theological complexities by someone like Albert Schweitzer, who holds a similar view).

The book gives one an explanation to a most profound and perplexing question. I appreciate that the author shares his personal experience and his heart with the reader. I too, have experienced the loss of a child and have also seen some things that were quite terrible working in the fields of nursing and inner-city high school teacher.

I only wonder about something the author writes towards the end of the book:

"'[W]hat good is God? Who needs religion, if these [bad things] happen to good people and bad people alike?'...I would say that God may not prevent the calamity, but he gives us the strength and perseverance to overcome it."

My issue is that many people do not overcome calamity. Millions who died in wars, famines, genocides, natural disasters. They did not overcome anything-they just died and in many cases, the whole family died with them. Other people who experience calamity just go nuts; they face finacial ruin; they lose their jobs and families; they become so depressed that they are forever dead inside. Some people commit suicide, or eat, drink and smoke themselves to death.

to an extent, I overcame calamities but I'm not the same person I was. I am more forgiving, more tolerant, and more philosophical; but I am also more melancholy and less idealistic.

While I can be thankful to still have enough mental health to maintain work and family life; I know a whole of other people who lost their mental health, work and family life. What about them? Why didn't God give them the strength to overcome? Am I to believe that some people are favored by God by being blessed with a higher constitution?

No, I think, rather, that some people overcome because they are LUCKY. Rabbi Kushner and I are indeed the lucky ones who can now talk rationally and philosophically about the deaths of our sons. I believe that God wants us lucky ones to turn around and help the others who weren't so lucky in any way we can. Obviously, that's why Kushner wrote the book.

Still, a great book, though.

"
~ Written on 2008-06-29

"This might be the best theological attempt to deal with human suffering I know of. No facile answers, but an honest searching of ideas relating human suffering to God. Highly recommended."
~ Written on 2008-04-28

"I was going through a horrible time in my life and really hoped this book would comfort and bring light. I was wrong. The basic message is that bad things happen because God is not ABLE to do anything to help you. (like he can't keep up or something) I know that God never left me, and the things that happened (though uncomfortable as the thought was at the time) did happen for a reason. Read Job - God will restore double, he will never leave you. This man should not call himself a Rabbi and spout this nonsense which seems a comfort only for a moment till you fall into deep darkness. I didnt want to give it a star but had to to continue."
~ Written on 2008-04-22