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I have heard it said, "A story is the shortest way to truth." With this in mind, I introduced my recent book Pain as a Means of Grace with a brief narrative. A young couple were delighted with the prospect of becoming parents. However, they were subsequently informed that their offspring would be severely handicapped, and life likely cut short.
The husband, who gave the impression of being a nominal Christian, rejected the notion of God's existence. His wife struggled to maintian a troubled faith. They could not bring themselves to abort the fetus.
The baby was born, and his parents came to refer to him as their love child. Not only were they deeply fond of him, but he served to bring them closer together. In a manner of speaking, they had experienced pain as a means of grace.
Wipf & Stock decided to publish this text, considering its merit, although it was not the minimal length called for in its guidelines (72 pp.). The initial chapter concerns paradise lost, as a means not only of accounting for what happened, but why things are as we find them---including the presence of suffering. The second chapter explores the text of Job for relevant insights, a topic I discussed more at length in My Servant Job. The passion accounts next solicited my attention. My approach could be profitable compared with Kazah Kitamori's Theology of the Pain of God. Then, in turn, the voices of the martyrs takes center stage. All things considered, this is perhaps the most innovative portion of the study.
Two chapters remain. First, a more reasoned approach---interacting with C. S. Lewis' highly acclaimed The Problem of Pain. Second, a critical review---meant not only as a summary but to prime for additional reflection. (Please note that I have changed my publication website, here listed for your convenience: http://www.ourchurch.com/member/p/publications).
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