GRIEF & PAIN IN THE PLAN OF GOD
By Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
Christian Focus. 143 pages
ISBN 1 85792 993 4
Buy this book! It is superb. In its brief compass is a sure guide through the little known Old Testament book of Lamentations.
The main theme, as the title suggests, is the problem of pain. Now there are plenty of books in the Christian market place on that particular enigma, but not enough like this one which are rooted in a mature reflection on the biblical text.
Excellent for preachers and study leaders as we are supplied in each chapter with helpful outlines, Hebrew hints and overview perspectives. The melodic line of the whole message is heard in its various tracks as the author takes us carefully through structure, content and application.
But the treatment is not so academic and theologically nuanced to hold back a young Christian with a passion for wrestling with what the text is saying.
Wonderfully well-written, simple but not superficial, short but not Bible-lite! And if you are familiar with the writings of the author, who has an eminent track record, you will need little encouragement to add this to your Kaiser collection!
But if you have never read him before, never seriously studied Lamentations and want to get a strong handle on a theology of suffering, well, here is a book to get you into an important subject area.
Peter Baker,
Senior Minister, Highfields Church, Cardiff
