Can God Be Trusted?: Faith and the Challenge of Evil by John G. Stackhouse Jr.

Can God Be Trusted?: Faith and the Challenge of Evil Reviews

• 
  Michael Locklear

  In his Introduction, the author opens with his intended audience in mind:
  "I offer this book... to those who want to consider seriously the question of faith in God before crushing evil befalls them or someone they care about. I offer it to people who want to prepare themselves to face the reality of life, which includes the reality of evil, with as many intellectual tools in the cupboard as they can get. I offer it to those who are so offended by God’s apparent mismanagement of the world that they cannot take faith in God seriously. And I offer it to people who have experienced bitter trouble and who long for a helpful, hopeful word on the subject of faith in God" (pp12, 13).
  Well, I believe that about covers everyone.
  Seriously, while, there are some good thoughts regarding God's faithfulness in the midst of our struggles, there are multiple times that the author places Christian, Jewish and Muslim religion and teaching on equal footing. I guess so not to offend anyone's god or religion. This I could not understand nor do I agree with.
  
• 
  Sergio Flores

  John Stackhouse starts this book by building up the problem of evil from almost every angle then proceeds to discuss how to deal with this as a Christian. He takes a look at how other people throughout history and how they dealt with this problem, people like Augustine, David Hume, and Luther. Great book overall
• 
  Poetreehugger

  Upon rereading, I realize again how helpful this book is for those of us who need to, and like to, think things through.
• 
  Tucker

  This is an overview of the problem of theodicy. (If God is all-good and all-powerful, why does evil and suffering exist?) It is examined through a Christian lens, citing thinkers like Plantinga, Kreeft, C.S. Lewis. As the book nears its conclusion, it turns toward Christian apologetics for the importance of faith. The overall argument seems to be that some questions and disappointments don't have obvious intellectual answers and that committing to Christianity is the best way to live in the face of such challenges. That is a valid approach to dealing with the existential problem posed by evil and suffering, but it skirts the intellectual conundrum (which is anyway unanswerable).
  
  Some of the apologetics runs like this: “…Christianity seems to ‘fit’ the world as we experience it, and, in the view of converts from other faiths, it does so better than other religions and philosophies.” (p. 146) Of course converts to Christianity prefer Christianity. That's why they converted. Plenty of people convert out of Christianity, too, and it would be fair to consider their opinions about whether the religion fits the world as they experience it. It would be a far more provocative, relevant statement to say — if indeed it were true, and I don't know that it is — that Christianity is superior from the viewpoint of people who are deeply knowledgeable about multiple faiths, and not just from the viewpoint of those who already prefer Christianity for whatever reason.
  
  Those who are Christians may gain something from this defense of faith, and those who are unfamiliar with the traditional expression of the "problem of evil" may benefit from its presentation here. However, there is not much in here for non-Christians who are already aware that the concepts of God's benevolence and omnipotence are at odds with the reality of suffering.
• 
  Tony

  A well-argued, thoughtful, and even respectful book. The author discusses the intellectual reasoning to trust in the God of Christianity despite a world filled with evil. I would definitely suggest reading it at some point. I have a copy if you want to borrow it!
• 
  Phillip Nash

  Having heard Dr Stackhouse in Canada a few weeks ago it was great to hear his voice again in this book. He raises more questions than answers but strikes at the heart of the significance of evil in the world and the importance of looking for validations of why the Christian faith is best placed to answer it. A very good book for Christians who secretly ask why God seems to tolerate evil in the world.
• 
  Christine Edwards

  Very tough read. Philosophical in approach and argument and I felt that the majority of the book did not speak directly to the question it posed in the title.
  
  If you like a challenge, go for it. Otherwise, there are better, more readable books out there addressing these issues.
• 
  Sarah Hubbard

  Great for those who are suffering and struggling with the question of if God is really who He says He is.
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  Darrell Mowat

  Good book...helps a person think about life in our relationship with our Creator.