Divine Providence: God's Design in Your Life

Theodicy, the struggle to understand how evil prevails in the world under the watch of a good God, informs these reflections by African cardinal and Vatican official Arinze. The book lucidly states that God has a plan for all human beings and we should not question this when confronted with life's treacheries, since "God is infinitely above us." Tracing providence throughout Scripture, Catholic tradition and the lives of the saints, Arinze posits that God's divine plan has succeeded throughout history, even when it is not obvious to worshippers. The cardinal carefully chooses Scripture quotes that make for useful meditation, especially for those who face suffering in their lives. Arinze is very careful and balanced in his description of human freedom, which he sees as a gift from God that people frequently abuse. Too often, however, he seems to advocate for prayer and blind acceptance in the face of injustice, rather than impelling readers to carry out the Christian mission to serve others with love. This work will be most helpful to faithful people seeking comfort in the midst of life's trials, but those who are passionate about working for social change will be frustrated. (Dec. )