40 Questions about Suffering and Evil - by Greg Welty (Paperback)

About the Book

"Multifaceted answers to the multifaceted challenges of suffering and evil. Both inside and outside the Christian faith, many difficult realities trouble human hearts and minds. By being equipped to answer questions about suffering and evil, Christians can persevere in faith, share their faith, and defend the faith when confronted with these inevitable challenges of living in a fallen world. In 40 Questions About Suffering and Evil, Greg Welty shows the necessity of exploring our vocabulary around evil and suffering so we can clearly see and express the best questions. Welty explores vital ideas, backgrounds, and issues, answering questions like these: What is the difference between Moral Evil and Natural Evil? What is the Bible's role in helping us understand suffering and evil? Does God will all suffering and evil? How is the gospel relevant to counseling those who suffer? Welty provides biblically informed intellectual resources for answering significant questions about suffering and evil, exposing readers to a wide range of influential views articulated by Christians over the past two millennia"--

Book Synopsis

Multifaceted answers to the multifaceted challenges of suffering and evil.
Both inside and outside the Christian faith, many difficult realities trouble human hearts and minds. By being equipped to answer questions about suffering and evil, Christians can persevere in faith, share their faith, and defend the faith when confronted with these inevitable challenges of living in a fallen world.
In 40 Questions About Suffering and Evil, Greg Welty shows the necessity of exploring our vocabulary around evil and suffering so we can clearly see and express the best questions. Welty explores vital ideas, backgrounds, and issues, answering questions like these:

• What is the difference between Moral Evil and Natural Evil?
• What is the Bible's role in helping us understand suffering and evil?
• Does God will all suffering and evil?
• How is the gospel relevant to counseling those who suffer?

Welty provides biblically informed intellectual resources for answering significant questions about suffering and evil, exposing readers to a wide range of influential views articulated by Christians over the past two millennia.

Review Quotes

"Biblically saturated, historically attuned, philosophically and theologically astute, and pastorally sensitive, this is an excellent entryway into one of the most difficult topics in Christian doctrine. While readers may not agree with every conclusion, this is well worth your attention and consideration. I highly recommend it!"--Matthew Y. Emerson "Co-Provost, Dean of Theology, Arts, and Humanities, Professor of Religion, Oklahoma Baptist University" (6/7/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Dr. Welty tackles a substantial problem in the Christian faith with substantial arguments. The problem of suffering and evil remains difficult for all who trust and believe in the true and triune God. The apologetic dimensions of this discussion are considerable, as are the pastoral implications. Dr. Welty has addressed these and other aspects of this problem in an accessible and encouraging way, for believer and unbeliever alike. His discussion of inscrutability is a promising, even if often ignored, addition to this entire debate. This volume should be added to any Christian's library who desires to think deeply about suffering and evil."--K. Scott Oliphint "Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia" (6/7/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Greg Welty writes with insight and clarity on what is, and always has been, the primary objection to Christian faith: Why doesn't God do more to stop suffering? 40 Questions about Suffering and Evil is helpfully arranged with clear questions matched to easily accessible answers. Whether considering how best to respond to a questioning friend, preparing to preach or teach, guiding your kids, or finding encouragement for your own faith, Dr. Welty's book is one you'll want close at hand."--J.D. Greear, PhD "Pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, NC" (6/7/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"There are a lot of books on the so-called "problem of evil." There are none quite like this one by Greg Welty. Many books on this subject approach it from a purely philosophical perspective and leave out, almost entirely, any biblical perspective. The books that include a biblical perspective are often bereft of relevant philosophical approaches. 40 Questions About Suffering and Evil hits the sweet spot! It presents a clear and persuasive account of the Bible's relevance, power, and beauty in responding to sin and suffering while simultaneously weaving in philosophical material that can help illuminate the biblical account. I rarely read a book that I think needs to be read by all my friends, family, and academic colleagues. At least one of the groups would be very frustrated if I convinced them to purchase every book I read. Not so with this book. I will recommend it to everyone I know and you will too."--David E. Alexander "Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Providence Christian College" (6/7/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"This is an outstanding addition to Kregel's 40 Questions series. Greg Welty is a superb guide through the labyrinth of issues that emerge from the experience of suffering and evil. Grounded in up-to-date scholarship, this volume is a gold mine of wisdom from Scripture, theology, and philosophy, yet is marked throughout by accessibility, pastoral sensitivity, and a bold willingness to face the hard questions with humility and honesty. This book is an excellent resource for pastors, counselors, teachers, small groups, Sunday school classes, discipleship ministries, and anyone seeking answers to the tough, perennial questions about God and evil. My own faith in Christ has been bolstered by reading it. I highly recommend it to all!"--John C. Wingard "Professor of Philosophy and Dean of Humanities, Covenant College" (6/7/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"If God is good, why is there so much evil and suffering in the world? It's a question that every Christian must face at some point. In 40 Questions on Suffering and Evil, Greg Welty deals fairly with a multiplicity of perspectives and possibilities, refusing to resort to simple or reductive responses. The result is a serious yet practical work that will be useful to anyone who trusts in the unerring truth of God's Word."--Timothy Paul Jones "
Chair of the Department of Apologetics, Ethics, and Philosophy, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"This book is an extraordinary resource, and I am thrilled to see it published. The problem of evil is as important a topic as it has ever been, but it is often very difficult to know where to begin. As such, the subject matter is well served by the 40 Questions approach, and Greg Welty is the perfect person to write it. His exhaustive work, attention to detail, wisdom, and theological depth are once again on full display as he treats the various facets of the problem of evil. Without hesitation, this will be the very first volume I point people to as they explore the theological and philosophical questions surrounding evil and suffering."--Jamie Dew "
President and Professor of Christian Philosophy, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"Welty takes up the sensitive matter of suffering and evil, and it is one of the best treatments I have read. The book is characterized by biblical fidelity, careful reasoning, humility, fairness, and an irenic spirit toward those who espouse different points of view. At the same time, I found Welty's own solutions to be remarkably persuasive since they are so well supported by the scriptures and by rigorous reasoning. I should also add that the book is wonderfully clear and accessible to general readers. Interested lay persons, students, and pastors will all be helped by this insightful work."--Thomas R. Schreiner "
Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"When I first learned that Greg Welty would be writing this book, I knew it would be good. But having read the finished work, I find myself struggling to find words that adequately convey how truly exceptional it is. Saturated with Scripture, theologically robust, philosophically incisive, lucidly written, comprehensive in scope, brimming with compassionate realism and pastoral wisdom, 40 Questions on Suffering and Evil is nothing short of a masterclass in how to reason responsibly about what God has (and has not) revealed in his Word. For over three decades, Dr. Welty has been reflecting on the challenges of evil and suffering, drinking deeply from the whole counsel of God and the accumulated stock of Christian wisdom through the centuries, and we are blessed to be the beneficiaries of his labors. I do not exaggerate when I say that every pastor, teacher, elder, and counselor should add this extraordinarily rich, insightful, and rewarding book to their library. Indeed, if every Christian were to read and meditate on just one chapter a week, it would do the church a power of good. Without hesitation, this will be my first recommendation for believers looking for solid biblical answers and practical counsel on the topics of suffering and evil."--James N. Anderson "
Carl W. McMurray Professor of Theology and Philosophy,
Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)

"You will not find a more biblically based, thoroughly researched, and carefully reasoned treatment of the philosophical questions of suffering and evil. It is well organized with many helpful summaries. Some of the best things about this book are what the author doesn't do:

• He doesn't duck any of the hardest questions about suffering and evil.
• He doesn't go beyond what can be deduced from Scripture in answering these questions.
• He doesn't merely use the Bible for proof texts, but carefully expounds the scriptures.
• He doesn't claim to have all the answers.
• He doesn't go over the heads of ordinary readers, even though he is a brilliant philosopher.
• He doesn't merely present abstract philosophical concepts but offers many helpful illustrative examples.
• He doesn't merely deal with theory but provides practical gospel focused counsel to those who suffer."

--Jim Newheiser "
Professor of Christian Counseling and Pastoral Theology,
Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte" (5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM)