Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian Life

by R. C. Sproul

Publisher:

Reformation Trust

, 2010

Overview

Suffering often seems to catch us by surprise. One day we are healthy, comfortable, and happy. The next we find ourselves ill or injured, struggling, and distraught. The pain that invades our lives may come from our own suffering or that of a loved one. But no matter the source, we didn’t see it coming. All too often, our perplexity prompts us to suspect God of wrongdoing.

In this classic book, republished in a revised and expanded edition, Dr. R.C. Sproul argues that we should not be surprised by suffering; instead, we should expect pain and sorrow in this life. Some are actually called to a “vocation” of suffering, and all of us are called to undergo the ultimate suffering of death. God promises in his Word that difficult times will come upon us, but he also promises that he allows suffering for our good and his glory, and he will never give us more than we can bear with his help.

Dr. Sproul offers solid biblical counsel and comfort for those undergoing suffering and for those who minister to the suffering, counsel that helps believers stand in times of trial with faith in a God who is both loving and good.

With the Logos edition, Surprised by Suffering is fully integrated with the other resources in your digital library, including Bibles, maps, dictionaries, and numerous other Bible study tools. All Scripture references are linked directly to the text of your favorite Bible translation, making your Bible study and teaching preparations more effective and rewarding. You can also explore Scripture on a deeper level with powerful search features, Passage Guides, and all the other interactive features in your Logos library. That makes this important book more useful than ever before for pastors, teachers, Bible study leaders, and anyone else desiring to get deeper into the truth of God’s Word.

Don't forget to pre-order the Crossway R.C. Sproul Collection (6 vols.)

Key Features

• Preface by the author
• Questions and answers on issues surrounding the problem of suffering
• Bibliographical references and index

Product Details

• Title: Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian Life
• Author: R.C. Sproul
• Publisher: Reformation Trust
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 157

About R.C. Sproul

R.C. Sproul is the founder and president of Ligonier Ministries and president of Ligonier Academy. He also serves as the senior pastor of Saint Andrew’s in Sanford, Fla., and he has written more than 70 books including Defending Your Faith, The Truth of the Cross, Truths We Confess, and commentaries on Romans and John in the Saint Andrew’s Expositional Commentary series.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The promise of God is not that He will never give us more weight than we want to carry. The promise of God is that He will never put more on us than we can bear.” (Page 3)

“It is when we view our suffering as meaningless—without purpose—that we are tempted to despair.” (Page 7)

“We must accept the fact that God sometimes says no. Sometimes He calls us to suffer and die even if we want to claim the contrary.” (Page 17)

“God ordains everything according to His purposes. In other words, God is sovereign.” (Page 37)

“But over all injustice, all pain, and all suffering stands a sovereign God who works His plan of salvation over, against, and even through evil.” (Page 32)

Product Details

• Title: Surprised by Suffering: The Role of Pain and Death in the Christian Life
• Author: R. C. Sproul
• Publisher: Reformation Trust
• Print Publication Date: 2010
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Suffering › Religious aspects--Christianity; Death › Religious aspects--Christianity; Future life › Christianity
• ISBNs: 9781567691849, 1567691846
• Resource ID: LLS:SURPSUFFER
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:14:44Z

About R. C. Sproul

R. C. Sproul (1939– 2017) was a respected teacher, theologian, pastor. He was the founder and chairman of Ligonier Ministries in Orlando FL. He was also first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. His radio program, Renewing Your Mind, is still broadcast daily on hundreds of radio stations around the world and can also be heard online.

Sproul held degrees from Westminster College, Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary, Free University of Amsterdam, and Whitefield Theological Seminary. He taught at several colleges and seminaries including Reformed Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary. He served as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, in Sanford, Florida. Sproul’s teaching can be heard daily on the “Renewing Your Mind” radio broadcast which plays in over 40 countries.

Sproul wrote over 70 books and articles including the classic The Holiness of God and several theological articles in Tabletalk magazine.