Journal: Journal of Dispensational Theology
Volume: JODT 19:58 (Winter 2015)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

---

JODT 19:58 (Winter 2015) p. 283

Book Reviews

Answering Christianity’s Most Difficult Question – Why God Allows Us to Suffer by Kevin Tewes. Chapel Hill, NC: Triune Publishing Group, LLC, 2015. 134 pp., paper, $11.99.

Kevin Tewes is a former United States Army officer who served in Iraq. While there, he had experiences that led him to investigate the problem of pain. Over the years, there have been many books, both theological and philosophical in nature, that have attempted to answer the question, “Why does God allow us to suffer?” In this book, Tewes attempts to examine the problem of pain from a unique perspective, which in itself is a lofty goal.

At the outset of the book, Tewes expressed the logical problem that God is all-powerful and all loving, yet evil exists (p. 5). Throughout the book, he expanded on this problem, going through the attributes of God and attempting to demonstrate what the underlying issue of pain and evil actually is. While Tewes does share some insightful stories, this work should be considered more philosophical in nature than theological. The author stated, at the end of the introduction, that “what follows is the definitive solution to the problem of pain and the problem of evil” (p. 14). While the author should be commended for his work, it seems he has exaggerated a bit by stating that his work is the definitive solution to the problem of pain when there is no more definitive work than the Word of God in regards to the problem of pain and evil. Throughout the book, the reader will notice a lack of biblical support for the author’s arguments. While what the author has to say is for the most part biblical, he fails to mention verses that the reader can reference for further investigation.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part is a redefinition of the logic problem previously stated. In this section, Tewes added to the problem that God is all-wise, and God is all-just. While both of these things are certainly true and biblical, the author failed to express what the Word of God has to say regarding either of these truths. The underlying theme in both sections of the book is love. The author’s unique perspective on the problem of pain and evil in the world is the lack of love: both for the Lord and for one another. He certainly discussed the sin problem, but the emphasis is upon love throughout the majority of the book.

The second section begins with quoting Genesis 1:26–27, showing that mankind was created “in his own image.” He stated, “Since God possesses all of the attributes that are necessary for him to experience

JODT 19:58 (Winter 2015) p. 284

love, it follows that any creature that i...

visitor : : uid: ()