Surprised By Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian Life
R. C. SPROUL
Reformation Trust
publishing
a division of ligonier ministries • orlando, florida
Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian Life
© 1988, 2009, 2010 by R. C. Sproul
Previously published as Surprised by Suffering (1988) by Tyndale House Publishers.
Published by Reformation Trust
a division of Ligonier Ministries
400 Technology Park, Lake Mary, FL 32746
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the publisher, Reformation Trust. The only exception is brief quotations in published reviews.
All Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Sproul, R. C. (Robert Charles), 1939–
Surprised by suffering: the role of pain and death in the Christian life / R.C. Sproul.
p. cm.
Originally published: Wheaton, 111.: Tyndale House Publishers, c1988.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-56769-184-9 (alk. paper)
1. Suffering--Religious aspects--Christianity. 2. Death--Religious aspects--Christianity. 3. Future life--Christianity. I. Title.
BT732.7.S687 2009
236′.1—dc22
stillborn infant,
until we meet in heaven
Chapter One: SUFFERING, PERPLEXITY, AND DESPAIR
Chapter Two: WALKING THE VIA DOLOROSA
Chapter Three: A CASE STUDY IN SUFFERING
Chapter Four: PURPOSE IN SUFFERING
Chapter Five: THE FINAL CALLING
Chapter Seven: SPECULATIONS ON LIFE AFTER DEATH
Chapter Eight: JESUS AND THE AFTERLIFE
Chapter Ten: A VISION OF THINGS TO COME
Appendix: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Those of us who live in Western nations are blessed to a degree previous generations would never have believed possible. For the most part, we enjoy good health, comfortable lifestyles, and security. We do not face imminent threats each day to our existence or even our sense of well-being.
These blessings, however, tend to lull us into a false sense of invulnerability. When we are spared from difficulties over time, we begin to expect that we will always escape hard things. Therefore, if suffering in any of its various forms—disease, injury, grief, loss, persecution, failure—comes upon us, it tends to catch us by surprise. Thus the title of this book.
My purpose in writing this book is that you would not be surprised when suffering comes into your life. I want you to see that suffering is not at all uncommon, but also that it is not random—it is sent by our heavenly Father, who is both sovereign and loving, ...
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About Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian LifeSuffering often seems to catch us by surprise. One day we are healthy, comfortable, and happy. The next we find ourselves ill or injured, struggling, and distraught. The pain that invades our lives may come from our own suffering or that of a loved one. But no matter the source, we didn’t see it coming. All too often, our perplexity prompts us to suspect God of wrongdoing. In this classic book, republished in a revised and expanded edition, Dr. R. C. Sproul argues that we should not be surprised by suffering; instead, we should expect pain and sorrow in this life. Some are actually called to a “vocation” of suffering, and all of us are called to undergo the ultimate suffering of death. God promises in His Word that difficult times will come upon us, but He also promises that He allows suffering for our good and His glory, and He will never give us more than we can bear with His help. Dr. Sproul offers solid biblical counsel and comfort for those undergoing suffering and for those who minister to the suffering, counsel that helps believers stand in times of trial with faith in a God who is both loving and good. |
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