Comments on: Packer on God’s Purposes in Our Troubles

By: Kris

Kris — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:33:53 +0000

Great insight. I think in the self-help era (and error), it is easy to forget that it is God who transforms us, not ourselves. Trials are one His of the primary tools. Does the clay ever know what the potter is making until the work is done?

By: Stefan

Stefan — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:46:54 +0000

Wonderful, timely, providential.

There is great, great wisdom in Dr. Packer’s counsel here.

By: What’s God up to in my trials? « Strengthened by Grace

What’s God up to in my trials? « Strengthened by Grace — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:10:45 +0000

[...] Read the rest and be strengthened by the grace of God in trials. [...]

By: Michael L. Johnson

Michael L. Johnson — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:32:50 +0000

A timely quote from Packer’s pen. I know God less than I’d like to believe, particularly in the face of trying circumstances.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:39:51 +0000

I should have added this quote from Tim Keller:
In short, the problem of tragedy, suffering and, and injustice is a problem for everyone. It is at least as big a problem for nonbelief in God as for belief. It is therefore a mistake, though an understandable one, to think that if you abandon belief in God it somehow makes the problem of evil easier to handle. (TRFG, 27)

A list of some resources for responding to questions on suffering can be found here: http://communicatejesus.com/2009/09/a-list-of-resources-for-responding-to-questions-on-suffering

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:33:36 +0000

I find this quote from Tim Keller helpful:
With time and perspective most of us can see good reasons for at least some of the tragedy and pain that occurs in life. Why couldn’t it be possible that, from God’s vantage point, there are good reasons for all of them?
If you have a God great and transcendent enough to be mad at because he hasn’t stopped evil and suffering in the world, then you have (at the same moment) a God great and transcendent enough to have good reasons for allowing it to continue that you can’t know. Indeed, you can’t have it both ways. (The Reason for God, 25)

By: Paul@tmch.net

Paul@tmch.net — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:09:44 +0000

Thank you for this. I shall share it with my good friend at Baker Books who recently lost his son.

By: Sean LeRoy

Sean LeRoy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:38:30 +0000

What a great book!