If you are looking for simple answers to the why of suffering, this isn’t the book for you. But if you are searching for the God of comfort and hope, this is the book for you.
When tragedy strikes, we are quick to try figuring out why it’s happening. We want to answer the questions everyone asks in a time of tragedy. Perhaps you’ve asked or been asked these questions. Does the Bible tell us why? Does God send tragedy? Or at least, why doesn’t He stop it? Can He really be a loving God and let these disasters strike the innocent?
Lutzer shows us, from the Bible, that the answers to those questions are challenging. They call on us to trust despite the pain and unanswered questions. They ask us to determine if we will respond in obedient faith. Then they turn our eyes to eternity and the love that offers eternal life to all who will trust. Once we understand the awesome love that Christ has, we understand the hope and comfort available to everyone.
Parts of this book aren’t exactly easy to read, because they remind us that we are sinners living in a fallen world awaiting God’s judgment. Much like Job, we want answers, but God doesn’t always give them. Instead, He reveals Himself to us in His power and glory then promises us comfort and hope in every tragedy. That is where this book becomes encouraging. It reminds us just how God loves each of us with an eternal love.
I would recommend it to everyone. Even if it doesn’t give you the answers you thought you were looking for, I believe it will encourage and strengthen your faith and show you the true God of the Bible.
I received this book as a free ARC through NetGalley and Moody Publishers. No favorable review was required, and it was my pleasure to provide my honest opinions.

If you have any questions. God has answers. But do we listen? Do we really want to know? Do we care? Are we in peace even when we don´t get an answer? or the answer we all want? This pandemic time in history has brought so many questions. Every single day since day number 1, I have been listening to questions. Not just from my family or children but from everyone I have been in touch.

This is absolutely not the kind of book that I pick to read for fun (to be honest) but since I have read Erwin W. Lutzer in the past and I think he has a sober mind and I truly enjoy the way he orders the info in his books I just couldn´t help it and have to try this one, also because Moody Publishers don´t disappoint.

I find this very short 96 pages, book very useful if you have questions about pain, suffering, the future, you start to lose hope or feel like losing faith, also if you want to have an interesting chat with the next people who approaches you with this topic. If we think there is suffering right now, we don´t know anything about eternal suffering... it is something we must have in mind. It helped me to focus on the important in the middle of this turmoil.

The covid-19 global pandemic has caught many off-guard and caused many to question what God is doing in human history. For those looking for a biblical perspective, Erwin W. Lutzer takes a deep dive into the subject with his latest release, Pandemics, Plagues, and Natural Disasters. While he doesn't offer easy answers, Lutzer does help readers dig into God's Word for a fresh vision of how God works.

In the introduction, Lutzer sets the tone for the whole book saying, "we need a hope that is not dependent on whether things work out, or whether the pain ends, or whether we see the answers to our prayers. Trust in God, yes; but trust in Him even in the face of setbacks, discouragement, and unending grief."

While it may not be a popular view, it is a biblical one, for in His Word, God does not promise that life will be free from pain and struggles, but he does promise to be with us to the end. I think Lutzer's purpose is to help readers trust in God's sovereignty and to look at things from an eternal persepctive rather than a temporal one. He definitely challenges readers to live out what they believe.

This book isn't for the faint of heart or the easily offended or those who think they deserve an easy life. But it is biblical encouragement for those who desire to follow Jesus wholeheartedly no matter what it takes. Lutzer reminds readers of their eternal hope as they trust in a sovereign God who rules over human history and nature.

Note: I received a copy of the book in exchange for this honest reivew. The opinions expressed are my own.

June 28, 2020
PANDEMICS, PLAGUES AND NATURAL DISASTERS
ERWIN LUTZER

I received this free for the purpose of review from Net Galley.

Well, how timely is this title. Erwin Lutzer has written a very up to date book that invites us to
seriously consider what is happening today in the world. Most of us are isolated because of COVID-19. For some the isolation has been a marvelous chance to relax, enjoy family and prioritize our lives. Others have been "essential" and are working more than usual and are exhausted. Sadly, there is no way to balance that between the two groups. Certainly we have seen more than we want to know on that subject. Fear has gripped many as the counts have risen and deaths have been reported. That being said, Pastor Lutzer reminds us that our future is in God's hands. His choice of scripture is reassuring and comforting.

Plagues-in the US I don't know of any plagues but certainly they happen other places with horrible results and loss of life. All this to say that all these things are out of man's control and cause a certain amount of stress and anxiety in people.

Natural disasters, hello hurricanes in Florida, fires and tornadoes in many locations, again out of man's control. Each of these things leave a trail of destruction and chaos in peoples lives. An aching that doesn't go away when possibly everything we own, know or planned is swept up into a fire, tornado, hurricane or an earthquake. The difficulty in all these things takes place first in our "space" and then in our hearts, head and families. Those losses are debilitating and healing is quite a process.

Pastor Lutzer reminds me I am not in control ever and these things simply bring it into full view.
These things, in my opinion, are elements in life that our great God allows to happen so we can have questions we cannot answer and will turn to Him. Prophecy in the Bible plays into the details of these current events. Believers certainly look for the blessed Hope in Christ but we are here today and that may be many years away.

The book is comforting and encouraging to read as a Christ follower. For the non-Christ follower,
I recommend to look seriously at his references and determine where you are because all these things will one day pass but eternity is just that eternity.

The book is excellent and I highly recommend it.

First sentence: COVID-19, is the pandemic that changed everything. The “new normal” will not be the same as the “old normal.” For years to come we will talk about BC (Before COVID) and AC (After COVID). Normal might not be back.

Erwin Lutzer's newest book is current-event driven. Many, many, many things are going on in 2020. When this book was written, I believe the biggest issue was COVID 19--and to some degree some natural disasters (tornadoes, locusts, etc.). I do not believe the racial tensions had escalated with protests and looting.

Lutzer uses the Word of God AND the historical past to speak to this generation of believers. Lutzer shows readers that they are not the first generation to experience pandemics, plagues, and natural disasters. How believers choose to respond and do respond perhaps has changed a great deal. For sadly we live in a culture that would rather God be a caring bystander powerless to do anything but say, "there, there" while patting believers on the shoulder than a sovereign, providential God that allows pandemics, plagues, and natural disasters as part of His will.

In chapter one, Lutzer writes, "In the following pages I will discuss God’s relationship to pandemics, plagues, and natural disasters. I believe that realistic answers have to be given that will ground our faith in our sovereign Lord even in a time of fear and grief—or I should say especially in a time of fear and grief. Although God appears to be silent, I want to point out that He has actually spoken through the Scriptures, and furthermore, His promises are to be believed."

God has a message for believers; it's not a new message, but an old one. "No special revelation from God here, just the Bible in one hand and a hurting world in another." He encourages believers to cling to hope AND to also offer comfort to those that are grieving and confused. Lutzer writes, "We must begin any discussion of tragedy by grieving for those who are in pain. Many of us are better at trying to explain the whys and wherefores of pandemics and disasters than we are weeping over them!"