"If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil" by Randy Alcorn (2009 Multnomah Press)

Each book is a journey with the reader and author keep each other company.  Through this review I get to tag along with you.  Randy Alcorn offers us an invitation in "If God is Good" to change the focus from the tyranny of the crisis to a God's eye view of our suffering. This book does not reduce Evil and Suffering to easy questions, an easy journey or simplistic answers.  It is nearly 500 pretty dense pages and is pretty daunting at first glance but reads quickly.  Mr. Alcorn does give a companion for the journey to those who dare to be transformed and even healed through its process.  

One of the strengths of the book is its organization and writing.  "If" is organized into 11 sections beginning with a few pages of explanation followed by 4 or 5 supporting chapters.  Alcorn writes efficiently and he structured the sectioned to flow from defining terms, examining Evil, chapters for "non-theists", stating the character of God, the character of people, Christ's mission and remedies and answers to the basic question of "WHY".  The final section is devoted to the life application of Christ's mission.  

Alcorn is very careful with churchy jargon, though there is some, and stuffs scripture in to every corner.  At times he stands dangerously close to the trite Sunday School, "just get saved and believe" answers that too many evangelical writers end up with.  However, he balances scripture with numerous stories from faithful, modern witnesses that have lived through evil and suffering.  He stands closely to becoming a rant against the host of athiests, or as he prefers "non-theist", works that have sold well over the last few years too.  Section 2 speaks to Dawkins, Ehrman and others with solid scripturally based arguments. "If" is even structured and looks like one of these tomes. He actually read the books and spoke to the authors rather than just condemning them.  Through this broader look there is an appeal here to those who are seeking Christ beyond the coloring pages of a spiritual childhood.   For anyone adventurous enough to ask, they will find answers, or at least find the courage to ask deeper questions.  

The author's biases are present along with some of the well worn theological arguments. I speak Mr. Alcorn's language and pretty much share his world view and still find plenty of  theological nits to disagree with.  However, he has the courage to admit to ambiguity.  One example is found on page 277 where he invites the reader to "Seek to be consistent with the Bible, not with a particular theological persuasion", and to read the entire section before making any over arching decisions. He demonstrates that the Word can lead the reader in more than one direction.  This is good advice for all readers that dare to journey through a subject this dark. I didn't feel that he was beating me with a "Jesus Stick" and do feel that he trusts his readers to make a God-led choice, even if God may not be the center of the reader's understanding of life.  The author is consistent and keeps his integrity while admitting that there are other answers to some of the deeper, universal questions.  

I rate most books good or bad by how much I can borrow (or steal if you wish) for the sermon and Bible teaching process. "If" has many small bites within to help share the subject of evil and God's nature with others.  In section 10, clergy and laity alike will find words to share in ministry to the hurting.  I would like to seen Section 11 and especially the section on "Giving Comfort" page 470, given more prominence and space.  This wasn't the author's priority and there are plenty of crisis counseling books out there but it would have added value to the Church's messengers that read this book.  

Bottom line: I am better for reading it.  It is good book to inform those ministering to the wounded and proclaiming God publicly.  It does speak to the more rationalist pre-believer/non-believer but is far more effective to someone with an understanding of scripture at some level.  This is not a light weight book and requires a lot from the reader, especially a lay reader. A human guide would be very helpful to a hurting reader. He has a study guide for the book that I have not read which would probably enhance the books usability also.   "If God is Good" would make a great small group or covenant arrangement resource.  I would not simply hand it out as a " here-go and fix it" book.  

Now the legal stuff:  Multnomah Press gave me this book free in return for this review as a part of the "Blogging for Books" program.  I thank them for the book-for which they risked negative comments- and you for reading this review.  

Alan Van Hooser- you can read more at  http://thethoughtfulpastor.blogspot.com/