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Why All People Suffer: How a Loving God Uses Suffering to Perfect Us
Suffering is one of the most challenging and inescapable mysteries of life — even for the innocent. Thinkers have long been vexed by the idea that a good God permits suffering, and it has been a stumbling block for many souls striving to live lives of faith.
But what if we’ve been looking at suffering improperly all this time? What if, instead of serving as evidence against God, suffering represented the very proof of a loving God?
In this transformative and enlightening book, Dr. Paul Chaloux — adjunct professor of theology at the Catholic University of America — demonstrates that suffering is not retribution from an angry, vengeful God but the saving action of a loving God who directs us away from evil and toward eternal joy in Heaven.
Educated in his own “school of suffering,” Dr. Chaloux explains the four tasks of suffering that are essential in the economy of salvation and why, if suffering were to be abolished, no one would be saved. Using well-known stories from Scripture and the lives of the saints, he explains numerous other aspects of God’s use of evil and suffering in His plan for our salvation, including:
How suffering is not a punishment from God but a gift to the guilty and the innocent alike
Why suffering is not evil but rather an “evil-detector”
Why suffering needs to be harsh and persistent to protect and perfect us
How to recognize and respond joyfully to God’s call in the face of loss, disability, injury, illness, and death
How we are acting as messengers of God when we witness to our own suffering
But what if we’ve been looking at suffering improperly all this time? What if, instead of serving as evidence against God, suffering represented the very proof of a loving God?
In this transformative and enlightening book, Dr. Paul Chaloux — adjunct professor of theology at the Catholic University of America — demonstrates that suffering is not retribution from an angry, vengeful God but the saving action of a loving God who directs us away from evil and toward eternal joy in Heaven.
Educated in his own “school of suffering,” Dr. Chaloux explains the four tasks of suffering that are essential in the economy of salvation and why, if suffering were to be abolished, no one would be saved. Using well-known stories from Scripture and the lives of the saints, he explains numerous other aspects of God’s use of evil and suffering in His plan for our salvation, including:
How suffering is not a punishment from God but a gift to the guilty and the innocent alike
Why suffering is not evil but rather an “evil-detector”
Why suffering needs to be harsh and persistent to protect and perfect us
How to recognize and respond joyfully to God’s call in the face of loss, disability, injury, illness, and death
How we are acting as messengers of God when we witness to our own suffering
304 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2021
31 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 1, 2021
I am delighted to have encountered a work that so clearly and methodically addresses one of the knottiest issues a faithful Catholic can face: the problem of suffering. In my experience, the problem of suffering is among the biggest reasons why a person may turn away from the Catholic faith or hesitate from embracing it in the first place. The idea that a good God, who has power over every occurrence in the world, will allow terrible tragedy is a puzzling one. It seems to undermine the core Catholic notion that God was good and loving enough to take on a human nature and become our Savior. Add to that the fact that “the problem of suffering” is rarely theoretical, and it is very easy to see why one would allow suffering to get in the way of one’s relationship with God.
The thing is, the Catholic Church has an answer to the “problem of suffering”. Why All People Suffer by Doctor Paul Chaloux is the most comprehensive, well-sourced account of this answer that I have yet come across. Drawing from such seminal theologians as Benedict XVI and St. Thomas Aquinas, Chaloux presents some of the Church’s most compelling arguments as to why suffering is an important element of our lives and how it in fact calls us to a deeper relationship with a God who also suffered on the cross.
Why All People Suffer isn’t all summery of Church teaching and past theologians’ positions, however. Chaloux also presents some fascinating original concepts. For example, one that I found to be particularly insightful was the idea that it is a categorical error to consider suffering to be intrinsically problematic. Chaloux broaches this idea immediately, during a discussion of Epicurus’ declaration that the presence of suffering indicates a deficient God. Epicurus, Chaloux points out, didn’t consider that suffering might exist to bring about good. This idea colours the rest of the book as we are invited to reconsider the nature of suffering, and view the effects of suffering in a way we never have before.
A book that recategorizes suffering, proposing it as something that can bring about good, is not just for Catholics. The idea that suffering is not meaningless ought to bring hope to anybody of any or no faith. Chaloux backs his proposition with logic and clarity that extends beyond the teachings of the Catholic Church and that can appeal to anyone with an open mind. The methods by which one can “put suffering to use” can bring fulfillment and hope to the lives of anyone. I heartily recommend this book!
The thing is, the Catholic Church has an answer to the “problem of suffering”. Why All People Suffer by Doctor Paul Chaloux is the most comprehensive, well-sourced account of this answer that I have yet come across. Drawing from such seminal theologians as Benedict XVI and St. Thomas Aquinas, Chaloux presents some of the Church’s most compelling arguments as to why suffering is an important element of our lives and how it in fact calls us to a deeper relationship with a God who also suffered on the cross.
Why All People Suffer isn’t all summery of Church teaching and past theologians’ positions, however. Chaloux also presents some fascinating original concepts. For example, one that I found to be particularly insightful was the idea that it is a categorical error to consider suffering to be intrinsically problematic. Chaloux broaches this idea immediately, during a discussion of Epicurus’ declaration that the presence of suffering indicates a deficient God. Epicurus, Chaloux points out, didn’t consider that suffering might exist to bring about good. This idea colours the rest of the book as we are invited to reconsider the nature of suffering, and view the effects of suffering in a way we never have before.
A book that recategorizes suffering, proposing it as something that can bring about good, is not just for Catholics. The idea that suffering is not meaningless ought to bring hope to anybody of any or no faith. Chaloux backs his proposition with logic and clarity that extends beyond the teachings of the Catholic Church and that can appeal to anyone with an open mind. The methods by which one can “put suffering to use” can bring fulfillment and hope to the lives of anyone. I heartily recommend this book!
January 23, 2022
A helpful explanation of how God uses suffering to draw us close to him. The discussion of the suffering of innocent people (e.g., war, natural disaster, crime, etc.) should be fleshed out a bit more, as this is the point at which many people struggle with reconciling the love of a good God with what appears to be pointless suffering. The author might consider expanding the material about helping those who are suffering from dementia, chronic illnesses, and their final illnesses into separate book.
May 14, 2021
What an enlightening dissertation of one of life’s most confusing questions. That is, why do we suffer? Dr. chaloux lays out in an easy to understand and orderly fashions the meaning of suffering from God’s perspective. Ultimately it is for our own good because of God’s love for us.
July 20, 2021
The timing for this book is perfect. During difficult times, we all search for meaning, purpose, and the guiding light. Author Paul Chaloux takes on the difficult, universal question, why do all people suffer? From his own personal experience and religious doctrine, Dr. Chaloux explores the concept of suffering and substantiates that a loving God has a purpose for suffering. In the course of our lives, we all suffer and this book shares insight into the faith and hope that can be our North Star.
May 26, 2021
Wow, what a deep treatment of an important topic! This is a great book. Probably the best part is Chaloux's own witness. He shares some of his own life and health struggles at the beginning and it gives the whole book such authenticity. That spirit carries through the book. I would highly recommend this read to anyone who is struggling to know God's love in the midst of hardship---or who knows someone who is. So basically, everyone.
May 31, 2021
If you're looking for answers to why you or a loved one has or is suffering so much, this will certainly give you a guide to understanding God's ways. It's instructional and full of meaning and purpose. Reading this book changed my perspective to the point that I feel differently about suffering and the reasons why suffering is always going to be a part of everyone's life. I now have the framework to deal with why all people suffer.
June 5, 2021
Paul's view of suffering really opened my eyes on my views of suffering. In one of his first interviews before I even read the book the term “evil detector” grabbed me. Our lives are short and we are all going to suffer at some point in some way. After reading, I may never suffer again as I will just take it as God’s plan, deal with it in the best way possible, try to make it less, and make sure my “evil detector” is set so I never display any in any form. I am better for reading his book.
May 20, 2021
Dr Chaloux provides an alternative way to look at the experience of suffering. While the book is fairly academic in nature, it demonstrates how to find the bright side of suffering and shares the positive impact you can have on others in your experience. For anyone who is feeling demoralized or hopeless by suffering or the suffering of a loved one, this is definitely worth a read.
April 15, 2022
I read this book for lent and took a class from the Avila Institute. The author, Dr Paul Chaloux, taught the class. Just read the preface to this book and you will realize that Dr. Paul is no stranger to suffering. After reading this book, I have a new approach to my suffering and understanding the suffering surrounding me. I highly recommend this book. You won’t be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews