cover image Where Is God When Bad Things

Where Is God When Bad Things

Luis Palau. Doubleday Books, $19.95 (240pp) ISBN 978-0-385-49263-8

Christian evangelist Palau addresses one of the most difficult topics of faith, evil. For the most part, his book is not analytic like C.S. Lewis's The Problem of Pain. Rather, it offers Christian consolation in specific situations. After an introductory chapter, 10 chapters deal with different bad things that can happen: the death of a child, domestic abuse, illness, rape, job loss. The reader is not intended to read straight through the book but to turn to the chapter that addresses his or her need. The final two chapters provide more general thoughts on dealing with suffering. Customers buying the book for a friend might like to be aware that each one of the 10 specific-need chapters contains an invitation to accept Christ, along with a footnote telling those who do so where they can receive more information from Palau regarding Christian life. A blurb about Palau by Billy Graham is a good indication that they appeal to the same audience. Those who share Palau's conservative evangelical Christian beliefs should find this book practical and comforting. (Mar.)