The Question That Never Goes Away: Why?

There is no better Christian writer at clearly expressing how God can work in our life if we let Him. In this book, Mr. Yancey continues to take on the tough questions that come both from people with faith and those with little or none. The strongest of us seek understanding about God when it comes to His role when our lives get unexplainably turned upside down. This book provides some clear and provocative answers in Mr. Yancey's powerful and heart moving exploration of those inevitable questions that never go away.

Another good book from the author. While there is little new information that has not already been covered in his previous books we always need reminders that God is Immanuel with us in our pain and sufferings. Knowing this to be fact we can be with others in their sufferings.

Yancey provides theological and pastoral insights on the Question all of us ask. I'm touched by the narrative from around the world that makes this Question so real. Certainly a book I will recommend to others.

Very well research. He also wrote the book out of personal experience. The book make you realize that God is very active with each of us daily on a planet that was perfect but we spoiled it. Well worth the read.

The question indeed never goes away, not even after reading this book. But still, it is a question hard to avoid. I trust that Philip Yancey's candid and pastoral way of dealing with the question of evil and death, will help many, even in the midst of suffering.
I personally would have appreciated, if he would have added a quick overview of possible answers about God and suffering, and its implications cq the image of God linked to these answers. I do realise, however, that this could have undermined the pastoral character of the book.

The author did a wonderful job avoiding vacuous platitudes in this book dealing with the messiness of life. As a professional chaplain, I greatly appreciated what I read. As a human who has experienced my own versions of suffering, I greatly appreciated his words as well.

I love anything that Phillip Yancey writes. I am always trying to figure out why God allows terrible things and Phillip Yancey addresses this question - no easy answers however - it is an unfathomable question. Thus the title " the question that never goes away"

If you're like me and have been questioning where was God during tragic events the past 20 years this book will answer your question. The author offers you both insight and reflection that will strengthen your faith.

Philip Yancey has, once again, tried to tackle the tough subject of horrific acts like the Newtown shooting, that leave us all asking God "Why?". Sometimes we may never know why & that is where faith steps in.

Philip Yancey writes with a rare intimacy with The Lord and a trust that allows him to tackle the hardest questions. He is continually asked into these difficult situations because of the ways The Lord has used his gifts and sensitivity before. He is amazingly graced log God, and God's gifts to us through his writing are many and varied

Philip Yancey is my favorite contemporary author. He always points back to truth and hope, and never backs down from the toughest issues. This new book does not disappoint. Thanks for the perspective.

Geat book! Certainly food for thought. May not give the answer you are looking for but will help you to find your own answer which I think all of us need. I am reading it for the second time and finding more to ponder .One of Yancy's best, I have read most of his books Would definitely recommend this one.

Sadness for the evil in this world but joy through the grace of our Heavenly Father's mercy by sacrificing His one and only Son. That one day death will have lost its sting as we who believe will have no more weeping or sadness.

This book reviews all the recent tragedies of current history as a dichotomy - from God and man's viewpoints. It does not attempt to trivialize the tragedies and sweep them all under the rug of "everything happens for a reason" rationale that never helps those who are doing the suffering. Instead it pleads the reader into considering that we don't see the whole picture. That in these terrible events God is crying alongside us.

Overall, this is a disappointing book. Two stars is actually a fairly generous rating. I'm using it with a Men's Bible Study that I'm leading, and the overall consensus among the guys is that Yancey keeps asking the questions, but he provides very little about God's answers. Very lacking in Scripture. Attendance in the study fell off a lot after we got started in this book.

Indeed, it seems that the author mostly had the non-Christian culture in mind in writing this book, and that's okay. However, if that is the case, the level of Christ-centered apologetics is fairly low. If you're looking for a book that provides solid biblical answers to the tough questions, avoid this one. Go to something more like Randy Alcorn's excellent and much more comprehensive work, "If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil," in which the author systematically provides a Scriptural template for addressing the same kinds of questions Yancey raises but doesn't effectively respond to.

Overall, this is a disappointing book. Two stars is actually a fairly generous rating. I'm using it with a Men's Bible Study that I'm leading, and the overall consensus among the guys is that Yancey keeps asking the questions, but he provides very little about God's answers. Very lacking in Scripture. Attendance in the study fell off a lot after we got started in this book.

Indeed, it seems that the author mostly had the non-Christian culture in mind in writing this book, and that's okay. However, if that is the case, the level of Christ-centered apologetics is fairly low. If you're looking for a book that provides solid biblical answers to the tough questions, avoid this one. Go to something more like Randy Alcorn's excellent and much more comprehensive work, "If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil," in which the author systematically provides a Scriptural template for addressing the same kinds of questions Yancey raises but doesn't effectively respond to.

Very insightful look at why bad things happen to good people from the perspective of Christian belief. Whatever you thought about the question this book is sure to enlighten and strengthen your thoughts.

Calling upon decades of experience writing about and grappling with "the question that never goes away" himself, Philip Yancey methodically and anecdotally answers it best that he can or perhaps anyone can. Stories and testimonies from others underscore his own thoughts and reflections that come together toward the end in a set of conclusions that I have not seen elsewhere.

The author is well-known for his works regarding suffering and questioning where God is when God is needed most. This book gives readers an opportunity to delve deeper and get a clearer understanding of suffering and where God fits into this picture. It is a great read and worth the brief time it takes to get through the book.

I will definitely have to go back and reread this book! Very thought provoking to the timeless question of where is God in the hard times. I loved that Yancey highlights biblical history of what Jesus's neighbor hood was like as well as our more recent, modern day sufferings. Too many times our Christian views and bible stories bring across the gospel as G rated when in actuality today's sufferings are nothing new thanks to media coverage and technology.

Practical. Direct. Real. Drawing on personal experience, as well as notes from other authors, the book used multiple resources to convey to the reader that others have survived tragedy & we can too. The ways in which Gods love shown through these pages has renewed my faith.

Yancey writes so well on subjects of pain and grief. Although the question is never fully answered, since only God knows and we have to trust Him for the answer, it's comforting in this day and age when senseless things happen too frequently. This book deals with present-day tragedies; very timely.

Yancy has done it again! Clear, concise, loaded with relevant, pertinent examples backed by a lifetime of experience and thorough research. Confidence in his wisdom and advice builds on each new piece he shares with the world. We are privileged to have a Christian spokesman, as he so eloquently is, to represent us! Advice well-taken.

Philip Yancey's gentle bold writing style is timeless for all. He blesses the question, why God, with a faith and discipleship active now and fulfilled completed in the future. Yancey's voice for the gospel message of Christianity encourages me in a personal way while giving a framework for conversation, counseling and direction for the students I teach. Thank you.

Henry Beun

Mr. Yancey has so eloquently tackled the timeless question. A very emotional read and worth every word! Powerfully written; the pain in the events described are vivid. Yet, hope and comfort ring the loudest.

Philip Yancey is very honest when discussing why God allows tragic events like the Newtown shooting. As the title implies, he does not give answers. However, he gives strong encouragement to people to seek God at such times. He also encourages Christians to step into such situations to walk alongside those who are hurting (and resist the temptation to think that they have answers).

but, as usual, Philip Yancey speaks honestly about the question pain, suffering, evil, and death that so few people are willing to discuss in depth. He never gives easy answers, but is more likely to answer a question with another question, challenging the reader to keep reflecting and searching for meaning in the tragedies of life.

This book starts out with a strong dose of tragedy and suffering. It gets you wondering if there is any hope for us in our world and the state of mankind. I found it worth the trip and the ending is the whip cream on the pie. Would recommend to anyone who has suffered physical hurt, mental abuse, wronged by evil people, who has suffered the loss of a loved one and as in my own life the loss of a son.

I generally like to avoid noticing the difficult parts of life on this earth, and the difficult questions like "Why?"'. However, Yancey's book has helped me face the existence of evil and suffering -- even in the church -- and see God's grace and love behind it. I was especially touched by the personal stories from Serbia and Newtown.