Thomas carlyle once quipped, no book that will not improve by repeated readings deserves to be read at all. Years later, struck with a daunting grief of a mourning husband he will. It is a broad based survey of the problem covering its prevalence, psychosocial and economic dimensions and perhaps. Judy foreman has written a remarkable book about pain. Sign up for bookperkdaily bookish finds, fantastic deals, giveaways, and more. In the problem of pain, lewis grapples with the problem of suffering in a world creating by an ultimately good and powerful god. Its a question that troubles believers and unbelievers alike and one which was a major hindrance to lewiss own conversion. Aug 10, 2010 just about everybody thinks there is a problem of pain. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to help. Chapter 1, introductory, traces three threads through human. Still, the sound of any one word cant contain the sensation of pains total dominion over body and spirit. The problem of pain by c s lewis, first edition abebooks. If god is good and allpowerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain.
Sep 16, 2015 provided to youtube by cdbaby the problem of pain attalus post tenebras lux. Lewis, one of the most renowned christian authors and thinkers, examines a universally applicable question within the human condition. Considered by many to be the most realistic source of chronic pain information in the world today, this chronic pain book was not written by anybody in a position to exploit or condone the existence of chronic pain for profit. Find books like the problem of pain from the worlds largest community of readers. In the natural world creatures prey upon one another 2.
The last chapter on animal pain was astonishing and presents theories id never before considered. May, 20 the guides are below, and the page numbers in the guides refer back to the 2009 edition of the book published by harperone. The fact that he later adjusted his understanding of suffering after his wife died a grief observed does not take away from the thought provoking role this work from a christian layman. Paperback in good condition, cover slightly grubby.
The problem of pain is of course the subject of focus, but the book is nearly comprehensive as an explanation of the christian worldview. The christian response to the problem of pain and evil dallas willard. God is allpowerful or almighty, so he could have created a world without suffering and would have done so. Some general quotes from the problem of pain a man can no more diminish gods glory by refusing to worship him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word darkness on the walls of his cell. Please note the image in this listing is a stock photo and may not. This is an exlibrary book and may have the usual libraryusedbook markings inside. Anyway, i loved the the problem of pain when i first read it. The problem of pain is a difficult question every religion has to deal with, and one which has been especially difficult for christianity.
Lewis sets out to disentangle this knotty issue, but adds that, in the end. The problem of pain is that it isnt a problem in the way we think it is when we first begin to look at the entire subject. It is a broad based survey of the problem covering its prevalence, psychosocial and economic dimensions and. Lewis, in which lewis argues that human pain, animal pain, and hell are not sufficient. Buy the problem of pain by c s lewis online at alibris. The book reminded me of looking at the negative image of a familiar picture. Jul 03, 2012 one of the main objectives people who do not believe in god use is the argument of pain.
Lewis questions the pain and suffering that occur everyday and how this contrasts with the notion of a god that is both omnipotent and good. The christian response to the problem of pain and evil. The problem of pain, the first of a series of popular works on christian doctrine, was written in 1940, twenty years before his beloved wife, joy davidman, died of cancer in the third year of their shortlived marriage. Lewis asserts that pain is a problem because our finite, human minds selfishly believe that pain free lives would prove that god loves us. So any chance to read a book that provides insight is a welcome thing in my world. Lewis examines the perennial problem of suffering in the world. No, christians dont have the luxury of an easy answer for the problem of pain. May 08, 2004 it is really a pleasure to be able to praise a book unreservedly, and that is just what i can do with the problem of pain. In the overall picture, that is the meaning of the book of job. But one finds an intelligent awareness of the great sourcesnot merely hooker, law, and macdonald, but aristotle, aquinas, and augustine. The problem of pain was a gift from quintessential editor. Unlike his popular series the chronicles of narnia this book is nonfiction. It is really a pleasure to be able to praise a book unreservedly, and that is just what i can do with the problem of pain.
In the book he seeks to reconcile gods power and goodness with the presence of evil. If god were good, he would make his creatures perfectly happy, and if he were almighty he would be able to do what he wished. The problem of pain focuses on one question, but thoroughly argues on every aspect. The problem of pain how god works in suffering, by someone who knows. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 176 pages and is available in paperback format. God allows job to be an unprotected target for the malice of satan. The problem of pain by cs lewis summary, quotes, and chapter. If god is good and kind why is there pain in the world. Provided to youtube by cdbaby the problem of pain attalus post tenebras lux. Miethe and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Lewis approaches the problem of pain systematically. The short answer is that god doesnt necessarily do things just because he can do them, and by giving us free will, he allows us to do things he doesnt necessarily even. Lewis, in which lewis argues that human pain, animal pain, and hell are not sufficient reasons to reject belief in a good and powerful god lewis summarizes the problem of evil as follows. If you want to order the book from amazon, click on the image of the book below. If i thought to read about pain to seek its alleviation, i might have saved myself the trouble.
Before lewis attempts to solve the intellectual problem raised by suffering page 10 he describes the origin of religion and how it creates the problem of pain. Some religions have the luxury of explaining pain as something deserved a result of bad behavior from a previous life, or perhaps pain and suffering are caused by a malevolent deity in opposition to a good. The book addresses an important aspect of theodicy, an attempt by one christian layman to reconcile orthodox christian belief in a just, loving and omnipotent god with pain and suffering. At first pain is staccato, but it becomes a wash, a downpour, a drenching. Before doing so, however, he sets the stage, providing background information on what he perceives to be the origins of religion. Lewis disambiguation page providing links to topics that could be referred to by the same search term this disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title problem of pain. How then do we reply to the objections that the creator and sustainer of a world in which there is war, deformity, suicide, depression, earthquakes, famine, pestilence, and cancer cannot be a good god, able to assist those who trust him.
So any chance to read a book that provides insight is a. He explains so well and in an easy to understand format why pain exists in the world we live in and how we can cope with it. Apr 12, 2012 get free shipping on the problem of pain by c. He was a fellow of magdalen college, a prestigious school at oxford university. Lewis 18981963 was a british literary scholar and novelist. With his signature wealth of compassion and insight, c. Oct 12, 2017 no, christians dont have the luxury of an easy answer for the problem of pain. An answer to this critical theological problem is found within these pages. In the first section, he gives three elements of religion, and a fourth that. In the most complex of all the creatures, man, yet another quality appears, which we call reason, whereby he is enabled to foresee his own pain which henceforth is preceded with acute mental suffering. Lewis, in which lewis argues that human pain, animal pain, and hell are not sufficient reasons to reject belief in a good and powerful god. Miracles the problem of pain the great divorce by lewis, c.
He looks at both human suffering and animal suffering. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Believing in a god who would cause pain and suffering in order to smite his children into behaving is not consistent with the good news, the fullest revelation of god. The problem of pain answers the universal question, why would an allloving, allknowing god allow people to experience pain and suffering. The guides are below, and the page numbers in the guides refer back to the 2009 edition of the book published by harperone. He interprets the fall of humanity not only as an opportunity for evil to thrive, but also the. If god were good, he would make his creatures perfectly happy, and if he were almighty he would be able to do what he. Apr 21, 2008 if lewiss aim in this text is to address the problem of pain that arises out of an affirmation of the existence of god as he suggests in the introduction, then appalling nature of animal pain is a central issue for theodicy because animals, in lewiss view, cannot benefit morally from it. I consider myself a christian, though perhaps the worst i know. The average person will find lewis helps him come to grips with distressing facts,new york herald tribune. The most concise and accurate way to grasp the essentials by c. The most grievous question, however, is why pain constitutes a problem, for the real problem lies elsewhere. A body experiences pain in order to protect itself.
Lewis in matched bindings, all three with slight age toning to interiors, all essentially as issued. Pain is unpleasant to ensure the brain gets the message about the damage. In the natural world life is sustained through the death of other things 3. In 1940, at age fortytwo, lewis penned the problem of pain accompanied by a humble, written admission. And what of the suffering of animals, who neither deserve pain nor can be improved by it. Everything dear to job is stripped from him, including his family, his worldly goods, and his own physical health. It may trouble you as a reader to learn of someone who thinks pain is not a problem. Lewis was an atheist in his 30s because, he says, he believed then that the universe was mostly empty space, dark, cold, and almost entirely unpopulated. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his. Indeed, the problem of pain could not exist without the reality of a good and loving and powerful god.
Feb 16, 2014 the perennial problem faced by monotheists, the problem of pain, is addressed by lewis in this book from the 1940s. Without a transcendent creator god who ultimately defines good and evil. The perennial problem faced by monotheists, the problem of pain, is addressed by lewis in this book from the 1940s. If carlyle was right, then when god weeps is a real rarityi read it twice in a. The guardian for centuries christians have been tormented by one question above allif god is good and allpowerful, why doe. Lewis, the problem of pain mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. Spoilers ahead pain posted a serious objection to christianity and to heavenly authority in general, aggravated by claiming that love is the essence of god. Free download or read online the problem of pain pdf epub book. Paperback with french flaps and deckled page edges. Ten easy answers week one problem of pain, week two. You have thought it obvious not only that there is. In the middle of all his pain and losses, job says, though he slay me, yet will i trust in him. The first edition of the novel was published in 1940, and was written by c.
One of the main objectives people who do not believe in god use is the argument of pain. Lewis asserts that pain is a problem because our finite, human minds selfishly believe that painfree lives would prove that god loves us. Small cells throughout the body remain alert for signs of tissue damage, and when damage occurs, the cells send out electrical impulses alerting the nervous system and brain about the problem. The book of job tells of a man who is pushed to the absolute limit of endurance with the problem of pain. Even philosophers assume that the most formidable theoretical problem is that of suffering. Goodreads members who liked the problem of pain also liked. The problem of pain is a 1940 book on the problem of evil by c. Fully realizing that he might be underestimating the reality of serious pain, he was compelled to intellectually address the issue, for he understood its profound implications toward belief, or disbelief, in god.
The main characters of this christian, non fiction story are. I first read the problem of pain when i was an impressionable teenager in search of the meaning of life. It occurs because there is an enemy who wishes to make you doubt god. The problem of pain was lewis first foray into the field of popular apologetics. The problem of pain seeks to understand how a loving, good, and powerful god can possibly coexist with the pain and suffering pervasive in the world and in our lives. Although aimed at an educated and curious nonprofessional readership it contains information and perspective that will be of great value to patients, scientists and clinicians as well as those interested in policy. Nov 09, 2017 pain is a short, sharp word that sounds like what it is a drumbeat, a jab, the thrust of a knife. Lewis sets out truths and speculations about why a wise, loving, kind, and omnipotent god would allow so much evil, suffering and pain in the world. In the book lewis considers the problem of suffering from a purely theoretical standpoint.
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