If God Is Good

Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil

By: Randy Alcorn

Narrated by: Will Matthews

Length: 24 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Every one of us will experience suffering. Many of us are experiencing it now. As we have seen in recent years, evil is real in our world, present and close to each one of us.

In such difficult times, suffering and evil beg questions about God--Why would an all-good and all-powerful God create a world full of evil and suffering? And then, how can there be a God if suffering and evil exist?

These are ancient questions, but also modern ones as well. Atheists such as Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and even former believers like Bart Ehrman answer the question simply: The existence of suffering and evil proves there is no God.

In this captivating new book, best-selling author Randy Alcorn challenges the logic of disbelief, and brings a fresh, realistic, and thoroughly biblical insight to the issues these important questions raise.

Alcorn offers insights from his conversations with men and women whose lives have been torn apart by suffering, and yet whose faith in God burns brighter than ever. He reveals the big picture of who God is and what God is doing in the world, now and forever. And he equips you to share your faith more clearly and genuinely in this world of pain and fear.

As he did in his best-selling book, Heaven, Randy Alcorn delves deep into a profound subject, and through compelling stories, provocative questions and answers, and keen biblical understanding, he brings assurance and hope to all.

©2009 Randy Alcorn (P)2009 Random House

Perhaps The Most Important Christian Book In Print

Randy Alcorn has tackled the toughest challenge believers will ever face: How to defend the idea that a good God could and does permit evil to flourish. Believers may read this book for spiritual growth. Unbelievers may read it for intellectual stimulation. I am reading it to help make sense of the viciously painful, chronically disabling illness with which I have unexpectedly been stricken. My illness defies diagnosis and is probably incurable but it has driven me to this book and this book has been tremendously helpful in transforming my contingent faith into a transcendent faith. I am beginning to see that transformation as far more valuable than the restoration of my health. Healing won't help me deal with the next calamity which comes my way. God's Word, elucidated by this book, will and is.

Highly Recommend for people wanting to get closer

This book has changed my life, a lot of my views were distorted and plain wrong. This book helped me figure out who god is and what he wants. If someone is looking for answers to all the hard questions whether you like them or not. This is it, I will use this book as reference for the rest of my life. Besides the Bible probably the single most interesting and thought provoking book I have ever read or listened to.

Deep and Wide

Would you consider the audio edition of If God Is Good to be better than the print version?

That's a toss-up. I'm an audible learner, so this fits my style of learning perfectly. However, the apologetics approach to Grace and Mercy is deep, rich, and sometimes complicated. Reading in print might have been better for some of the more demanding chapters.

What did you like best about this story?

Alcorn uses style and tone to make his theology come more alive than many. This isn't boring, but it also isn't mindless, passive storytelling either.

Have you listened to any of Randy Alcorn’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to most of his work. This is in the middle. His novels are awesome. I've listened to Lord Foulgrins Letters at least four times.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I sometimes abandon my dreams, comfort, or goals, but I will never abandon my faith.

Any additional comments?

Great author.

Essential!

This book is really life-changing. Although the beginning half of the book may seem tedious, stick with it because it will all be tied together in the end. Such great answers to God's plan for us in our suffering, grief and sin. It is an essential book that I have recommended to so many friends already. I plan to listen to this many times in the future,especially when I need to "right" my perspective about the will of God and his eternal sovereignty.

God is Good!

As a follower of God, doing what is right in His eyes, we will suffer for his name sake in a dark world. But God will always make a way out for his people. And we will come out better than when we went in. God said that we would suffer; and He will never leave us. God gave us a Comforter, the Holy Spirit who will guild us throught the storms of life. I stand upon His Promises and I have found peace in the " Midst of Suffering and Evil." By faith and not by sight. God is on the Throne and He watches over us! Forgetting about yesterday and keeping our eyes on Jesus, we will have His Perfect Peace in the "Midst of suffering and evil".

Good quality thinking

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I enjoyed it and was stimulated in my thinking. It was well worth listening to.
If you want to think and are willing to examine things it is excellent.

What did you like best about this story?

Good depth of though and research has gone into this excellent work. It give good and not superficial answers and thinking.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Too much depth and information for listening to in one sitting. Just the same it is not a hard listen as it involves the listener challenging and encouraging one's thinking.

If God is Good, why do we suffer?

I love books by Alcorn. Having recently finished Heaven, I needed more. He is well-researched, provides solid references, and consults many resources to reach a very clear conclusion. He presents many sides to arguments and not just one side. He makes you think. Well worth the long read! This is a question I think about a lot, and his argument makes total sense. My love for God only increased more through reading this. I'll think about this more as my battle with health issues get so much worse, even the harder I fight, and as I prepare for my own potential death and loss of QOL as a 42 yo with such love and passion for this current world, in spite of 26 years of suffering.

Great book, badly read.....buy the book & read it your self.

As usual, Alcorn's writing is great; wonderful, biblical perspective; thorough details & bible references.
IMHI, badly read; the reader sounds like he doesn't really understand nor believe what he's reading....& lacks the genuine feeling of the author. I ended up buying the book & reading it myself.

Reiterates the same thing after hour #2

If you are truly seeking to understand God's plan beyond the, "It is good for you" and "Because" explanation, then don't read this book. It starts out with trying to give examples through the Bible of suffering and possible explanations of why, then just says the same thing over and over. As a reader, the author tries to inflect his passion of the subject into the matter, but comes off as paternalistic. It is almost the argument that because he sees the answer so perfectly, it must be obvious to everyone else as well; and if you truly have faith, understanding that your answer to the question of "why am I (or ____) going through this?" may not be received until your death, you should be satisfied. I wasn't.

Solid Christian response to pain and suffering

This is a wonderful response to atheists who either do not see any meaning in pain and suffering or who use that to refute the existence of God. It also discredits the misleading teachings of many wealth and health preachers. Solid exposition of this difficult subject through study of the scriptures. It is a book that brings the only possible hope and purpose to anyone in pain through Christ alone. Great read!

Thank you

I like to thank the author for this fantastic book. It is well researched and presented with balanced arguments backed up with relevant references and illustrations. This is one of the best books I have read. I'm personally blessed. Thanks a lot.

Helpful

One of the most helpful and balanced books I have read on suffering and the nature of God. Narration a little ponderous at times but very listenable.