At the Heart of the Gospel: Suffering in the Earliest Christian Message
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Suffering, while part of the human condition, is a state of being we would rather ignore. L. Ann Jervis here presents a convincing argument that human suffering is worth considering, and she offers the words of Paul as proof.
Paul’s insights into the predicament and significance of suffering provide the foundation for some of Christianity’s most profound and unique contributions to understanding human life. Examination of three of his letters -- Thessalonians, Philippians, and Romans -- reveals his important reflections on accepting the suffering of believers with the conviction that, even as we suffer, God’s plan for creation does not include suffering, and God will ultimately banish it. As a result, believing sufferers are not victims of suffering.
Jervis hopes that hearing Paul’s words on suffering in a fresh light may allow readers to be deeply marked, like the saints and shapers of Christianity, by the power of a gospel of which it is not necessary to be ashamed, precisely because it is not easy but transformative.
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- Explores Paul’s insights into the predicament and significance of suffering
- Examines three of Paul’s letters -- Thessalonians, Philippians, and Romans
- Reveals Paul’s important reflections on accepting the suffering of believers
- Suffering and the Approach of This Book
- Why This Investigation Matters
- The Organization and Scope of This Book
- Believer-Specific Suffering
- Suffering of Nonbelievers
- Summary
- Using 1 Thessalonians to Talk about Suffering
- Suffering as a Believer
- Suffering of Nonbelievers
- Summary
- Using Philippians to Talk about Suffering
- Humanity’s Shared Suffering
- Suffering of Nonbelievers
- The Suffering of Believers: Suffering “in Christ” and “with Christ”
- Summary
- Using Romans to Talk about Suffering