The journalist and author of some 20 bestselling books, Phillip Yancey is one of the most influential writers in the Evangelical world today. "I write books for myself," he says on his blog, "searching for a loving, gracious God." Yancey writes about God's grace instead of the God he feared because of the hellfire and brimstone preaching he received from what he calls a "toxic church."
In What Good is God? Yancey takes us on a global journey to ten distinct groups of people to determine whether faith in a benevolent, gracious God can hold up in situations of extreme violence or distress.
Does faith really matter? This simple question, though the answer isn't an easy find, takes Yancey to some of the most fascinating places one individual could go: from the massacre at Virginia Tech to the terror that encircled the streets of Mumbai; from the underground faith in China to the church at risk in the Middle East; from a conference full of professional sex workers to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Chicago.
During his quest, Yancey, the journalist observed with a practiced eye while Yancey, the believer, probed his soul for answers. Each of the 10 chapters begins with an narrative of the particular situation/context, followed by an excerpt from a sermon or speech. Each of the chapters underscores the book’s central message
The book’s format differs from the format of Yancey’s other books -- he uses previously unpublished material -- mainly speaches and sermons, prefacing them with an introductory chapter each that sets the stage. He draws us in to the places he visited - as if we are standing directly in the midst of the chaos erupting in Mumbai, India in 2008 or experiencing firsthand the tragedy and the pain that embodied those involved in the massacre at Virginia Tech in 2007 - and gives us, the reader, a chance to hear exactly what he said to the people he met during these difficult times.
In the end, Yancey reminds his readers of their Christian calling to be dispensers of God's grace, setting loose this powerful force on a weary, violent planet. He concludes, "May the church be known as a place where grace flows on tap: to sinners, to rich and poor alike, to those who need more light, to outcasts, to those who disagree, to oppressed and oppressors both."(282) Well said, Mr. Yancey.
I whole-hartedly recommend Yancey's latest books to all who enjoy to probe the depths of their faith and who don't shy away from asking difficult questions.
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