How Long, O Lord? Second Edition

Reflections on Suffering and Evil

By: D. A. Carson

Narrated by: Jim Denison

Primarily, How Long, O Lord? is an audiobook of preventative medicine. One of the major causes of devastating grief and confusion among Christians is that our expectations are false. We do not give the subject of evil and suffering the thought it deserves until we ourselves are confronted with tragedy. If by that point our beliefs - not well-thought-out but deeply ingrained - are largely out of step with the God who has disclosed himself in the Bible and supremely in Jesus, then the pain from the personal tragedy may be multiplied many times over as we begin to question the very foundations of our faith.

This clear and accessible treatment of key biblical themes related to human suffering and evil is written by one of the most respected evangelical biblical scholars alive today. Carson brings together a close, careful exposition of key biblical passages with helpful pastoral applications.

©1990, 2006 D. A. Carson (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Pain, Suffering and Evil Considered

While, Dr. Carson’s book is not an exhaustive consideration of these subjects, I find it to be a helpful and instructive volume that provides food for thought and great insight into the theological aspects of the issues. I recommend this book highly for everyone. The truth is we all encounter suffering sooner or later, personally or second-handedly through someone we love.

Worthy of reading again and again

I found this reading to be delightfully dense - worthy of unpacking. Portions can be read or listened to over a cup of coffee but notepaper, laptop and a study Bible are in order to dig in and unpack what D. A. Carson writes. The study questions and reflections following each chapter offer a springboard for further study. I’d love to have access to Carson’s lectures on this subject at Trinity, if he teaches it. There is significant need for more teaching and learning around these topics. The chapter addressing the sovereignty of God is the first one I plan to revisit. It provides foundation to everything else. Understanding the mystery of God’s divine nature provides context to understanding pain and suffering.

meat....not milk

for those who are looking for God...why He does and doesn't do and allow us to hurt

Great Biblical Guide for Thinking About Suffering

Great Biblical Guide for Thinking About Suffering. The narrator does an excellent job as well.

Overlooked book with good insights

A fine book with some very good observations about suffering. Well worth the read for Christians and non-Christians alike.

Excellent, thorough, Biblical perspective of complex issues

D. A. Carson is a gift to the church. His detailed treatment of common concerns is a great blessing to those of us in the pews, without such formal theological training.

great book

Great book. It really helps you understand where God is and what He is doing through suffering. Great blessing.

Insightful & Informative

I agree with other reviewers. I finished this book and felt that I needed to read it again. There is so much to contemplate.

Biblically insightful!

Another must read from Carson. One who is trying to theologically understand where God is during the suffering process could benefit from this book. But Carson says the book is meant to be preventative, not a prescription.

Classic Self-Help w/out Depth

As the title declares: classic Christian self-help book that has little Bible reference or depth to it. Any verses mentioned are discussed instead of exposited and focuses on the ‘how can this apply in your life?’ type questions that Christians should* be thinking when reading the Bible anyways. Struggled through 7 chapters and still had not found 1 thing that helped with understanding the Bible or benefits those suffering or the beautiful verses replete in the Psalms such as #13: “how long, LORD!?”
Granted, this is targeting the general Christian or ‘christian’ masses who are still suckling at the milk after 2-20 years, but books like these keep the focus not on Christians growing in knowledge of our gracious God (2Pet1) but on how to look at God while keeping ourselves rooted in earthly things.
Want a discussion book that actually will benefit you and maybe even non-believers who are suffering? Go read C.S. Lewis’ Problem of Pain.