The Light Shines on in the Darkness: Transforming Suffering through Faith (Happiness, Suffering, and Transcendence)

Happiness, Suffering, & Transcendence Quartet #4

by Robert J. Spitzer

Why would an all-loving God allow suffering? Aren't suffering and love opposed to one another? Does suffering have any benefit for this life? Does it have any benefit for eternal life? Is there any objective evidence for God - for a soul that will survive bodily death - for the resurrection of Jesus? If there is testable, objective evidence for a resurrection, what is this resurrection like? Who is God anyway - benevolent and loving or angry and retributive?

Father Spitzer gives a comprehensive explanation of contemporary evidence for God, the soul, and the resurrection, and helps us understand how God uses suffering to lead us to the resurrection, and to compassion for others. He also shows how the Holy Spirit guides us through times of suffering toward our salvation - and other's salvation, explaining the signs and interior movements that reveal the Spirit's actions.

But even armed with this eternal perspective, serious questions remain. If God has power over nature, why doesn't He just perform a lot more miracles when we pray for them so that we won't have to suffer? Why did God make the natural world imperfect in the first place? Wouldn't it have been better to create us in a world without suffering - without challenge, need, and self-sacrifice?

Father Spitzer not only addresses the perplexing questions associated with suffering but he teaches us how to suffer well. He points out some of the most common errors we make in interpreting God's motives for and alleviation of suffering. He explains why suffering - in combination with love - is one of the most powerful motivating agents for personal, cultural, and societal development. Suffering and love are inextricably bound up with one another on the highest levels of human meaning.

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Philosophy, Religion, Christian, Faith, Spirituality

544 pages, Paperback

Published April 12, 2017

About the author

Robert J. Spitzer, SJ, Ph.D., is a Jesuit priest, philosopher, and educator, and retired President of Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA).

Fr. Spitzer is currently the president of the Magis Center of Faith and Reason and the Spitzer Center for Ethical Leadership.

http://www.magisreasonfaith.org/

Reviews

[Ejansand · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

There’s a lot of great spiritual advice in these pages, so if you’re looking for a way to path through suffering, this book is a 5/5. All the philosophical/theological explanations of suffering in the book work towards that end (i.e. working through suffering via prayer and the knowledge that Christ will not abandon you in your suffering), so this work is an easy recommendation to those who wish to know more about the Church’s approach to suffering and the problem of evil as well as how to contend with it.

However, on a purely philosophical level, I don’t think the author’s way of defending the benefit of suffering is entirely convincing. While this book is the fourth one of a quartet (the rest of which I have not read), I still think that the ultimate conclusion and analysis of suffering, while solid, would not be recommendable to someone who has not granted assent to the preambles of the Faith. So, as a philosophical and theological explanation of suffering, I don’t think it’s as solid as it might be.

The answers we seek to the problem of evil are, in my experience, most often found in the witness of others. Hence they are not refined and communicable in the way we might like them to be. I do think that Fr. Spitzer makes this point clear, and thus it’s a matter of what you’re looking for when you crack this book open searching for answers - so, for prayerful understanding 5/5, for rigorous argument, 3/5, and in the final estimation 3.5/5.

[C. Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, the final volume in "The Happiness, Suffering, and Transcendence Quartet, is easily the best answer I know of to the question, "why does God let bad things happen?" or, as Spitzer often phrases it, "why does God allow suffering?" It is well-reasoned and readable. It does get a little repetitive at times, as Spitzer likes to restate points made and remind readers of conclusions reached earlier in the series, but for many readers this might be welcome.

[Pete Orsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This final book in Father Spitzer’s Quartet: Happiness, Suffering and Transcendence is very helpful in addressing how you can maintain your faith in an imperfect world where suffering is inevitable. I retired from the practice of law a couple of years ago and I am very aware of my mortality. The information father Spitzer shared in this book will serve me as a beacon as I strive to persevere and remain faithful to the Lord. Thank you, father Spitzer.

[Suzanne L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. A great explanation of suffering in the world and our lives, and God's part in it all. Philosophical and practical at the same time. Will be reading more of his works!

[Dave Mcclow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough catechism on suffering

Nothing like it! Exhaustive! Helpful summaries of the chapters. It is lengthy. Start with the conclusion it will help you know where to dive into the book.