Wonder of the Cross, The

Book Description

In a world where suffering seems relentless and evil appears to triumph, many believers find themselves wrestling with an age-old question that may be fundamentally flawed. Richard A. Shenk invites readers to reconsider how we approach the problem of evil, suggesting that our traditional framing might rest on questionable assumptions about divine power and intervention.

Rather than asking why a good and powerful God permits suffering, Shenk proposes we examine whether coercive divine force can actually achieve God's ultimate purposes. This theological exploration centers on the transformative power found in Christ's sacrifice, positioning the Cross not as a symbol of defeat, but as the key to understanding how divine love operates in a broken world.

The author guides readers through a reframing of our fundamental questions about suffering and evil. Instead of demanding explanations for why pain exists, we might better ask how God is actively working to eliminate evil and why this process requires time. Shenk suggests that divine strategy involves using the very experiences of suffering and evil as instruments for their own destruction, particularly in the lives of believers.

This investigation offers no simple solutions to life's hardest questions, but it provides a framework for finding joy and meaning in God even when circumstances seem overwhelming. For those seeking deeper understanding of faith amid life's trials, this work presents a thoughtful alternative perspective on one of Christianity's most challenging theological puzzles.