When Suffering Persists

by Frederick W. Schmidt Jr.

Sometimes pain passes quickly and small losses are easily absorbed. But when suffering goes on and on, for people of faith, the resulting crisis can be deeper and more destructive than the loss itself. We look for ways to comfort those who are hurting. But sometimes, in spite of our good intentions, the cliches and simplistic theology we offer only add to the pain and misery. In When Suffering Persists, Frederick W. Schmidt presents a pastoral exploration of ways to understand suffering theologically, offering an approach that ministers to both mind and spirit. He questions the value of our usual comforting words and examines the pat explanations we give one another. He provides instead a theology that takes seriously the devastating character of suffering, allowing for real help to those who continue in pain.

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2001

Reviews

[Jane Burkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, easy-to-read candid look at our theological problems when dealing with suffering. I found his challenges to our popular images of God and his suggested alternatives to be very helpful.

[Graham Gaines · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last two chapters kind of save this book from being a 1 or 2 star rating. I think his critique of the "faith solution" is pretty heavy handed, and some of his logic in the first two chapters is faulty. But I really did appreciate his alternative solution/framework.

At the end of the day, this was thought-provoking and worth the read. This would have been great for my Doctrine & Ethics class in seminary.