Where is God in a Messed-up World?: Living With Questions, Looking For Answers

by Roger Carswell

If God exists, and really is a God of love, then why doesn't he stop the suffering and problems in our world?
Roger Carswell is realistic enough to admit that there are things God reveals to us, and things he doesn't reveal. He argues that the starting point is to find out who God is, and figure out if he can be trusted - even if we don't have all the answers.
'God has not only been faithful to me, he has been overwhelmingly kind, incredibly merciful, consistently good and unbelievably patient,' says Roger. The author's own experience of suffering with depression, and other real-life stories that are included, make this a compassionate look at one of the toughest questions about the Christian faith. Moreover, our questioning need not be a barrier to entrusting ourselves to God.

Genres: Christian

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

From Library of Congress Authorities:
"Isleham.com WWW site, viewed January 6, 2022 (Roger Carswell was born in Leeds [England] ; lives in Horsforth ; a Christian ; worked as a teacher for several years ; now a full-time travelling evangelist)"

Reviews

[lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a very interesting read.. to start with, i am pretty conflicted with my experience with this book, and i will try to be as objective in my evaluations as possible.

i did, on the whole, enjoy my time reading this book. there were numerous “case studies” that had me crying. i did also overall agree with most of what he said. however, i had a couple of (personal) “issues” with this book, and they are as follows:

(1) i don’t think that (objectively) this book set out to do what it aimed to. the book’s aim was to show readers where God is in a messed-up world, and if i were not a christian, i would not have the answer to the thesis he lays out at the book’s start. to be honest, as a christian i wouldn’t have been able to get the answer from his book either. much of the book’s argument seems to rest on the presupposition that God exists and that one already believes in God; which of course, great if you do, but for non-religious people/non-christians, this book makes absolutely no attempt to remove itself from its heavily christian perspective to try and reach a broader audience, which i felt was a huge missed opportunity. there are so many individuals struggling with faith or who just have questions about christianity who would have perhaps been able find some answers in this book had it been made more approachable and easier to follow. lots of the logic lines would be something like “life sucks. insert terrible world scenario xyz. God has his reasons for doing things, and God is good. believe in God and your life might still suck but at least it won’t suck after you die.” which. if i wasn’t a believer this logic definitely wouldn’t encourage me to start believing.

and herein lies my second issue. (2) this book reeked with agenda, which is something that i always really dislike when speaking to any kind of religious figures. having a heavy emphasis on or an “aim” of conversion, in my opinion, clouds and undermines the agency of the individual and the sacredness of everyone’s own religious journey, but also places addition pressure that can end up being counter-productive, as it largely was for me. as i believe, if God’s timing is truly the best timing, then what christians need to work on is providing information in a way that invites conversation, because conversation and connection is what gets people to change their minds.

(3) something else that really bugged me is just how white the author is. its no secret that christianity has been co-opted as the white man’s religion (which is so sad by the way), but i really felt the discomfort of being a person of colour in a white-dominated religious space while reading this, especially towards the last few chapters. the way in which carswell openly dismisses the validity of other perspectives of thought, lifestyle, and more feels very insular, and contradictory to the all-loving God that he speaks of. not everyone has the privilege of being christian in a white country where ones race and their religion don’t conflict in any way.

i am aware that this reading of carswell’s work might not be very charitable, but unfortunately this is how i felt at the end of the book. that being said, however, for christians this is by no means an unpleasant read; in fact at the start i was really really moved by portions of this, and even at the end saw the God that carswell writes of, and recognised elements of Him as my God. but as a book with an aim i have to say that this doesn’t really deliver on it, and i urge any non-christians who are curious about the christian God to please not read this haha there are other books that better illustrate God’s grace and heart.

[EmmaJulia Edsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sprinkled with tear jerking case-studies and the personal testimony of the author, this little book reads like a Biblical counseling session. The Gospel message is clearly stated throughout, continuously and compassionately, reminding the reader that while the world is broken, God is good.

[Christopher Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Where is God in a Messed-Up World?” by Roger Carswell, is essentially about the goodness of God, even in the face of human suffering. I would classify this book as a beginners outline to a Theodicy— a defense of God‘s goodness and righteousness, even in the midst of human suffering.

One of the most asked questions of those who question the gospel, and the goodness of God is, if God is so good, then why is there suffering? One can certainly not deny that there is endemic suffering in this world. Even Paul, in Romans, chapter 8, asserts “The whole creation has been growing in the pains of childbirth until now….” Thus, it is incumbent on the followers of Christ to have biblical answers to the legitimate questions of fellow sufferers.

One of the greatest truths manifested by Carwell in this book is the fact that Jesus Christ entered into this world, fully human, and yet fully God, and he entered into our suffering. He even died on the cross so that we could have that suffering redeemed if we place our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.

This is a helpful book to begin developing a biblical Theodicy. Hopefully, this book also Spurs believers on to greater empathy with those who are suffering. As followers of Christ, we look forward to the blessed hope of the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ. That is the ultimate hope for the world in the midst of suffering. Happy reading!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encouraging and realistic. Carswell tackles the toughest of subjects with compassion, honesty, and a scriptural foundation. “Case studies” of real life christians, and an appendix detailing his own struggle with depression, make this book unique and timely in our messed-up world. He uses examples from the Bible, history, and current events and does not gloss over the misery of our world, while offering solid hope in the object of our faith: our loving, Heavenly Father.

[Tatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book read in a day after the Good News talk.
Very insightful, nice to look into Louis’/devout Christians’ minds. I feel myself turning, am I being seized by God? that scary beautiful power….
Things are so complicated and conflicted in my mind at the moment, gosh, this book swayed me, I learnt a lot, but I can’t fully let myself go just yet.
V easily readable and liked the examples (‘facts’) for my logical analytical mind.

[Peter Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively short book that will be good for Christians who are having a hard time with their faith as well as general issues. Contains some inspiring and difficult stories that will help comfort many.

[Beth Troon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It gives you such a insight into who and where God is. It's a book I feel can help you see there is a light even in the darkest place you are at. I definitely recommend anyone to read who keeps asking the question 'why?'.

[Helen Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful book. Answers tough questions and has real life stories.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely couple I met at a conference in England sent me this book. Their family was used as an illustration as they have two children with Sanfilippo syndrome. The author is a friend of theirs, and his book is less an apologetic for the problem of pain but a personal testimony of God's faithfulness through trials.

[Emily G · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an honest and painfully human way to see God's loving and unceasing determination to walk with us through our sufferings.

[Rodie King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have now started chapter 3

I will be using chapter 3 with Wednesday's Lent study