Understand the Problem of Suffering and its Redemptive Power in New Book from the Augustine Institute
Newest addition to the What Every Catholic Should Know series uses Scripture to provide practical “how-to” steps to make sense of suffering
Suffering is universal–everyone experiences it. As Catholics, we face this fact every Lent, when we meditate on the beauty of Jesus’ sacrificial love for us and reflect that love with self-denial and personal discipline. But what exactly should we think about suffering? What can suffering do for us? Author Dr. Mark Giszczak illuminates centuries of Catholic theology on this reality in his new book Suffering: What Every Catholic Should Know, available for purchase just in time for Lent.
Called “a helpful companion as we struggle to understand and respond to the mystery of suffering which none of us can escape” by Archbishop Emeritus of Philadelphia Charles Chaput, Giszczak’s new book helps Catholics understand the redemptive power of their own personal suffering.
“My experience with books about suffering is that they are either too philosophical or too anecdotal. Although we need to understand the abstract stuff on some level, I wanted to present practical strategies for living,” Giszczak said.
Giszczak, a professor of Sacred Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, draws heavily on the wisdom of Sacred Scripture itself to help readers understand the most basic question: “Why is there suffering, and why would an all-good, all-loving God allow it?”
“Once we take up the tradition of Christian biblical theology on this topic, we get some new insights, new perspectives, new ways of coping with the most pressing problems. No, this book won’t take away all of your suffering, but it might help a bit,” Giszczak said.
What truly sets this book apart is its practical strategies for living through suffering and using suffering for eternal purposes. Focusing on surrendering one’s life to God, Giszczak shows us how to practically follow in the footsteps of Jesus by offering our suffering for the redemption of the world.
The landmark What Every Catholic Should Know series from the Augustine Institute is intended for the average faithful Catholic who wants to know more about Catholic faith and culture. This series covers a wide range of topics, such as literature, mercy, salvation, and the character of God.
###
About the Augustine Institute: The Augustine Institute is a Catholic educational apostolate based in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Founded in 2005, the Augustine Institute exists to help Catholics understand, live, and share their faith through initiatives like Amen, FORMED, the Graduate School of Theology, Word of Life, and others.
Mark Giszczak (Ph.D., Catholic University of America) is a professor of Sacred Scripture at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology. His books include Wisdom of Solomon (Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture series), Light on the Dark Passages of Scripture, and Bible Translation and the Making of the ESV Catholic Edition. He writes regularly on his blog, CatholicBibleStudent.com.
