Shaking A Fist At God

This is a study of the different responses to human suffering. It is based upon the book of Job and written from a Christian perspective.

The author examines "undeserved suffering," first from the point of view of Job from the Old Testament and then through the writings of such authors as Chaucer, Thomas Hardy, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Archibald MacLeish, and Tom Stoppard.

Timothy Findley (1930-2002) is one of the most important contemporary Canadian writers. His novels have been classified as postmodern, exhibiting characteristic features such as parody, historiographic metafiction, and hybrid genres. This classification of Findley as a postmodern writer, however, largely neglects the fact that Findley is deeply committed to the exploration of certain ethical and political themes. Recurring topics in his work are, for instance, fascism, environmental concerns, and the problem of responsibility. Sparked off by the fascinating question of how postmodernism and ethics can be reconciled at all, and inspired by the so-called ethical turn in the literary theory of the 1990s, this study supplies a closer look at Findley's ethics with regard to its postmodern potential. A detailed analysis of five of his novels (The Wars, Famous Last Words, Not Wanted on the Voyage, The Telling of Lies and Headhunter) explores the ethical dimension of Findleys work and its consequences for his categorization as a postmodern writer.

The last decade has shaken our trust in personal safety through terrorist attacks, school shootings, economic turmoil, and war. Our trust has been shattered in other areas as we have seen hypocrisy in governmental leaders as well as in the church. We are looking for relationships that are authentic and full of life, but we have many questions in regard to faith, reason, suffering and even the person of Jesus himself. Author and speaker Dave Sterrett helps us answer these and other questions: -Why Should I Trust Jesus when So Many Other Spiritual Paths Exist? The foundation of trusting in Jesus is that he is true. But if absolute truth does not exist, then to say that “Jesus is the Truth” is a meaningless statement. Many definitions of truth fail, but a good definition of truth is “that which corresponds to reality”; simply put, truth is “telling it like it is.” -Why Should I Trust Jesus When All I Need to do is Trust Myself? Human knowledge is real, but it has its limitations. Jesus, however, is all-knowing. He knows everything about me. He knows everything about you. He knows what you are thinking. He knows what you are feeling. He understands you better than you understand yourself! This is one of the many good reasons for us to pray to the Father in the name of the Son. -Why Should I Trust Jesus in the Midst of Suffering and Death? The ultimate foundation of Christianity is a historical event: the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. A man who walked this earth in history claimed to be God, died on the cross, and bodily rose from the dead. Many people in today’s culture, both Christians and non-Christians, have questions about why and how to trust Jesus. But there is hope! He is worthy of our trust.

"Emergency operator. May I help you?" "Yes, my name is Alex Gee, my wife is nineteen weeks pregnant and I think her water just broke! This is her second pregnancy, and . . . we lost our first baby just like this . . ." "Sir? Hello? Sir? Try to stay calm. Who is your wife's OB/GYN?" "It's Dr. Koller! Uh . . . My wife is losing more fluid . . . Hurry!" Oh God, this isn't happening again. I can't handle another loss like this. Let this be a dream! Please let this be a dream! Have you ever felt like God has let you down just when you needed him most? For Alex Gee it was the loss of his second child at birth. For others it is death, divorce, financial ruin, physical disability or a host of other trials we face in the world. In these moments of crisis our view of God is challenged and our faith is shaken. With refreshing candor in this book Alex Gee offers true companionship--though not easy answers--as you search for the way to hope.

The secular, scientific world challenges faith in many ways. Many people have left the Christian church in disappointment. Yet in the midst of this complicated world, many people feel a deep hunger for spiritual depth and experience. Where does faith come from? How does a person get faith? How can doubts be surmounted? How does a person experience the presence of God in daily life? After countless conversations with persons searching for faith, the author summarizes the questions people have about faith and the church. Faith is part of everyday life and not an opposite of science. He proposes ways to experience the living presence of God in their lives. Faith is not simply believing in creeds. It is a trust, which results in vibrant living.

In a world increasingly designed to deceive and tear a person away from God, what can a Christian father do to ensure his children come to the knowledge of our Lord and the plan He has for them? Randall Latham's "A Father's Letter to a Son" is one father's approach to providing a guiding path to his son's spiritual growth. Addressing many of the spiritual issues facing teenage boys, "A Father's Letter to a Son" provides a father's perspective of these most important issues.

Invites us to explore how our conscious and unconscious experiences have shaped our perceptions of God. This book also encourages us to develop God images that are nurturing and healing.