Irizarry, Iriann

English

Andrews University

233Book Reviewsdefined the roles of  men and women during antebellum America, is likewise also apparently overlooked. Another example is that the volume mentions that Ellen White frequently mentions the term “Glory” at the beginning of  her visions (14), a revivalist phrase that was commonly used during the Second Great Awakening. Stronger ties between religious revivalism and its influence upon Ellen White’s life and thought could have been drawn. The volume covers material during the critical period of  time leading up to the American Civil War, but the issue of  race relations is not mentioned. Why not? If  Ellen G. White and other early Sabbatarian Adventists were such ardent abolitionists, then why did this not filter into her unpublished writings? History is more than simply identifying facts (the work of  a chronicler); a historian also interprets. While it is very clear from this volume, at least for the White Estate, that her prophetic authority is understandably the central issue, there are many other social, economic, and cultural interests that could enrich this volume. This window into the world outside of  Adventism could shed rich interpretative light into her life and thought. The lack of  this historical milieu is therefore perhaps the greatest weakness of  the volume. Despite such weaknesses, including a handful of  typos, this volume will be a rich treasure for scholars of  Ellen White. A careful reading of  these unpublished writings, especially her 1859 diary, will give rich insight into the more personal aspects of  life as a prophet.Adventist International Institute                   MichaeL W. caMPbeLLof  Advanced StudiesSilang, Cavite, PhilippinesRice, Richard. Suffering and the Search for Meaning: Contemporary Responses to the Problem of  Pain. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2014. 170 pp. Paperback, $18.Richard Rice is professor of  religion at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California. He is the author of  several books, including God’s Foreknowledge and Man’s Free Will and Reason and the Contours of  Faith. Although much has been written on the topic of  theodicy, Rice’s contribution is original and stimulating in that it offers a modest yet insightful overview of  several of  the major theodicies, along with a proposal for a practical theodicy. While the cover, length, and style of  the book are reader-friendly, this does not by any means reduce Rice’s work to light reading. Instead, the book shows the work of  an experienced philosopher and teacher who has well learned the art of  simplifying complex matters without subtracting from their depth and meaning. In this sense, Rice is sharing with the reader the result of  years of  synthesizing. Further, I find the author to be well balanced in his use of  sources, both academic and popular. Against an avalanche of  existing theodicy-related resources, he manages to make reference to key sources from philosophy, theology, and contemporary history.  234 Seminary StudieS 53 (Spring 2015)His main argument could be fairly summarized by the following quote: “Even if  nothing makes perfect sense of  suffering, and our attempts to fit it within a rational package never fully succeed, we can still respond to suffering resourcefully.” (164) This line of  thought is successfully developed in the book and is made increasingly clear throughout its nine chapters.The first chapter consists of  an introduction in which he states the universality of  suffering and the importance of  the task at hand. The introduction is followed by seven chapters, each dealing with a different response to suffering or theodicy: Perfect Plan Theodicy, The Free Will Defense, Soul Making Theodicy, Cosmic Conflict Theodicy, Openness of  God Theodicy, Finite God Theodicy, and finally, Protest Theodicies. Every chapter offers a description rich in practical examples and stories, a philosophical-theological background, and an objective evaluation of  each theodicy. The last chapter serves simultaneously as a proposal for a practical theodicy, the author’s personal account on his response to suffering, and a brief  conclusion. Despite the indubitable value of  Rice’s overview of  the major theodicies, I believe his practical theodicy to be his major contribution. Defined as a theodicy mosaic or bricolage, this theodicy allows for tension and diversity, taking into account philosophical, religious, and personal convictions altogether in a combination of  ideas and experience. It also allows for consideration of  valuable elements pertaining to the various existing theodicies. In addition, Rice soberly admits the implausibility of  a practical theodicy that takes the form of  a one-size-fits-all logically perfect scheme. His proposal for a theodicy does not offer all the answers, yet encourages its adherents to somehow position themselves in regards to suffering. In that sense, there must be a warning to the reader: if  looking for spoon-fed or pre-packaged solutions to suffering, this book will not fulfill your expectations. On the contrary, Rice’s work carries within itself  a strong call for personal reflection and concrete individual action. It does not merely offer ready-made philosophical critiques and ambitious hypothetical scenarios, but it also constantly challenges the reader’s perspective. It demands active analysis and participation, and a willingness to embark in an ever deeper and greater—sometimes tentative and mysterious—search for meaning in the midst of  suffering.Another asset of  Rice’s practical theodicy is that it does not only focus on the self, but also on the other. He encourages the reader to find a way through suffering, not as a mere introverted intellectual exercise, but in order to somehow relate to other sufferers. In this regard, he gives practical advice for engaging in an other sufferer’s experience and thus joining them in a journey of  empathy, acceptance, and care.  Because of  its all-inclusive nature, this book is appropriate for every reader who can relate to suffering in one way or another. In that sense the author manages to show that intellectual challenges which relate to suffering are not only for intellectuals. Nevertheless, the scholar—whether philosopher 235Book Reviewsor theologian—and the health professional, who often engages with suffering individuals, will find this reading particularly helpful. In a fusion between good scholarship and practical usefulness, Rice succeeds to show that while suffering might not always make perfect sense, one can respond to it resourcefully. If  only that, I believe his book achieves much.Berriend Springs, Michigan               iriann irizarrySeifrid, Mark A. The Second Letter to the Corinthians. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2014. 535 pp. Hardcover, $50.00. This is volume number fifteen of  the The Pillar New Testament Commentary series. In his new commentary on 2 Corinthians, Mark A. Seifrid, Mildred and Ernest Hogan Professor of  New Testament Interpretation at Southern Seminary, presents Paul as the unimpressive minister of  an infinitely powerful gospel. In the scholarly world of  New Testament, Seifrid is best known for his thorough and judicious treatment of  Paul’s doctrine of  justification by faith, on which he is a competent expert. He brings exceptional erudition, exegetical accuracy, and theological reflection to the interpretation of  this commentary on 2 Corinthians, considered by some scholars as one of  the most controversial and difficult of  Paul’s letters.In their preface to Seifrid’s volume, the series editors outline the intent of  the series as a project designed for serious pastors and teachers of  the Bible. The Pillar Commentaries seek above all to make clear the text of  Scripture as we have it. The scholars writing these volumes interact with the most significant informed contemporary debate but avoid getting caught up in undue technical detail. In accord with the series format, the commentary proper is preceded by a brief  introduction, which is followed by four entries; and the rest of  the volume is divided into three main sections that cover the whole letter: I) The opening of  the letter: the call to fellowship (1:1–2:17); II) the body of  the letter: apostolic mission (3:1–7:16); III) closing of  the letter: the call to simplicity (8:1–13:14). The author of  this commentary offers a unified reading of  2 Corinthians, which has frequently been regarded as a composite of  excerpts and fragments (xxix). The contrast between 2 Cor 1–7 and 2 Cor 10–13 is more apparent than real. The notion that a letter that was instrumental in cementing the bond between the congregation at Corinth and Paul would be subject to a cut-and-paste operation, even at a later time, is difficult to imagine. The burden of  proof  clearly lies upon any hypothesis of  a compilation letter.The message of  2 Corinthians lies in its paradox: Paul is forced to legitimize his own apostolic ministry as superior to other, “super-apostle” claimants, but instead of  drawing on impressive physical presence or rhetorical flair, he appeals to his own hardship and frailty. He is the suffering apostle of  the crucified and resurrected Christ. Seifrid interprets Paul’s thanksgiving to God, who “in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession” in 2 Cor 2:14, as Paul’s participation in the suffering and shame of  the crucified Christ. Paul 

Suffering and the Search for Meaning: Contemporary Responses to the Problem of Pain [review] / Rice, Richard

https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3365&amp;context=auss

Suffering and the Search for Meaning: Contemporary Responses to the Problem of Pain [review] / Rice, Richard

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Andrews University