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IS YOUR GOD

GOOD?

Searching for Why We Suffer

Endorsements by Theologians, Pastors, Philosophers, and Therapists

Dave Jackson takes on perhaps the greatest single obstacle to faith in the Christian God—the widespread occurrence of seemingly unfair and senseless suffering. He does not downplay the seriousness of the problem or offer simplistic solutions. Suffering is often random and not always deserved. Nor does he dodge the difficulty of certain biblical texts that portray God as the agent of evils but emphatically urges readers to consider Jesus Christ as the definitive revelation of God that corrects these all-too-human ancient, albeit “biblical” misconceptions of God’s moral character. Jackson makes good use of personal anecdotes taken from years of experience as a pastor, writer, teacher, and Army National Guard member to offer a very readable, knowledgeable, and practically wise Christian approach to the problem of God and human suffering.

—John R. Schneider,
Professor Emeritus of Theology, Calvin University

How can we believe that God is perfectly good when so many prayers go unanswered, when so much pain and evil is allowed to take place, and when Scripture sometimes depicts him as a violent nationalistic warrior deity? In Is Your God Good?, Jackson boldly addresses these and other objections to the goodness of God, providing insightful and informed responses at every turn. Everyone who is concerned with the character of God and the problem of evil would benefit from this work.

—Greg Boyd, author, theologian, and Teaching Pastor,
Woodland Hills Church,Maplewood, Minnesota

When it comes to the core Christian belief that “God is good all the time,” the American Church is confused and divided, especially on the question of suffering and the sovereignty of God. This leaves the door open for many to assume that church-goers worship a deity who intends and causes harm. The strength of Jackson’s Is Your God Good is his willingness to step on toes to address this most complex of theological questions, and in a way understandable by regular folks. His approach is unapologetically gospel-centered, looking to Christ to ultimately clarify the nature of God. For all who long to believe that God is indeed good all of the time and that “if it isn’t good, it isn’t God,” here is a book that offers both comfort and confidence.

—Julia Pferdehirt, LPC, author of Soul Mending
and other books on mental and spiritual health

As a pastor, I can think of dozens of conversations I’ve had with people who were struggling with the very questions Jackson addresses. I wish I’d had a resource like this to give them. This book is thoughtful and accessible for anyone wrestling with some of the hard questions of faith, especially when it comes to understanding the heart of God and how God engages with humanity.

—Scott Keebles, Lead Pastor,
Copper Creek Church, Champaign, Illinois

Jackson has written a very engaging and easy to read survey of various views on God and suffering. He does not hesitate to proclaim his unwavering belief in God’s innate goodness in the face of difficult Scripture passages and hard-to-explain life situations. Whether you agree with every one of Jackson’s conclusions or not, this book will be helpful to you if you are struggling with unhelpful messages you may have received in the midst of your suffering. May it guide you deeper into the arms of our eternally loving God.

—X. Nader Sahyouni, DMin, LCPC, author of
Anxiety Transformed, Prayer that Brings Enduring Change

Is Your God Good? Searching for Why We Suffer does crucial work. Some of that work is conceptual. We subscribe to theological ideas and to ways of reading Scripture that deliver spoiled products when we suffer. Jackson names these ideas and ways and offers better alternatives. Some of the work is pastoral. By naming his own experience with suffering, Jackson makes it safe for readers to explore how their own suffering has been excused, denied, ignored, or even justified in the name of God. There are no final answers here, but if honest, productive engagement is what you are looking for, I highly recommend Is Your God Good?

—Gregory A. Clark, Ph.D.,
Professor of Philosophy, North Park University

If I praise God for the good in my life and believe God is in control, how do I not also believe I am being punished or it is my fault when bad things happen? With well documented historical references, Is Your God Good? provides a powerful foundation for understanding that God’s role in our lives always comes from a place of love. One of the biggest gifts Jackson highlights is the ongoing revelatory nature of God’s teachings. Rather than condemning past scholars or perspectives, he notes that they were based on what had been revealed and what the authors could understand at the time. When tragedies occur, we are compassionately made aware of our own beliefs and given permission to grieve, question wrong or limited teachings, doubt, experience anger, and not know everything, while holding onto God’s love and support as we heal.

—Ruth Lipschutz, LCSW, ACSW

In this present, disorienting political moment, where $60 Bibles incorporate the U.S. Constitution and “God Bless America,” Jackson’s book, Is Your God Good? could not be more timely. While the Word of God has always had a history of being misused, today’s Christ-followers (particularly the emerging generations) are disillusioned by the present American-brand of Christianity that has propagated all kinds of violence and human suffering in the name of God. In the face of such jaw-dropping displays of Christian nationalism like the January 6th insurrection, young believers have all but dismissed the Bible as dangerously archaic. Jackson’s read is a labor-of-love, helping “set the record straight” on the irrefutable goodness of God via a remarkable survey of some of the Bible’s most difficult texts and narratives, and in a way accessible to all ages. Furthermore, Jackson’s discussion ranges from the cosmic and philosophical to the on-the-ground practical. I cannot overstate the contribution this book can make to the health and renewal of a Church in crisis.

—Dr. Craig Wong
Executive Director, New College Berkeley

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