When Bad Things Happen to Good People

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It's a hit!

This book, composed by a Jewish Rabbi dealing with the senseless death of his son at an early age, completely changed the way that I read the Bible... (show more)

This book, composed by a Jewish Rabbi dealing with the senseless death of his son at an early age, completely changed the way that I read the Bible forever. Kushner approaches religion and guilt in a way that is very comforting. There is something about our society, maybe all societies, that wants us to blame the victim. What better vehicle for blame than religion? Guilt is something I've encountered too much in my life and it's only one of the major reasons that I don't go to church, even though I still believe in God. Like Kushner, I don't believe that God wants us to feel guilty all the time. "We may mistakenly think of pain as one of God's ways of punishing us, perhaps remembering how one of our parents would slap us when we were children, perhaps believing that all unpleasant things that come our way are punishments...But pain does not represent God's punishing us." I read it about 5-10 years ago during a particulary low part of my life. I'm reading it again because of all the stuff that Josh and I are going through these past few months. It's one of the few books I have read that is truly comforting to a guilt-ridden, former pastor's kid in times of distress. (show less)

 

 

by Kristina Ritchie Haasakker

No, it's a flop!

In "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," Rabbi Harold S Kushner makes bold theological statements, says little very well during the middle of th... (show more)

In "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," Rabbi Harold S Kushner makes bold theological statements, says little very well during the middle of the book, and reaches an important conclusion.

R' Kushner wrote this book during the year after his son died of a debilitating genetic disorder. While mourning was on the mind of R' Kushner, "When Bad Thing Happen to Good People" is useful for anyone who suffered a loss or great pain.

The first part of the book focuses on the Job story. According to R' Kushner, there are three possible statements, only two of which may be true:

(1) HaShem (God) is all-powerful

(2) HaShem is good and just

(3) Job was a good person

According to the story, the third statement is true, meaning HaShem is either not all-powerful or not good and just. (Some medieval commentators said that (3) is false. For example, Rambam said that Job actions were good, but Job did not love HaShem in his heart and understand HaShem's ways.) Most commentators say that (2) is false: HaShem is not good and just, at least in human terms; being so, humans cannot challenged the rightness of HaShem's plan.

R' Kushner claims that (1) is false: HaShem is not all-powerful. While not initially providing support for this statement, later in the book, R' Kushner examines the account of creation in Genesis. The world, our universe, was fashioned out of Chaos. While HaShem says that HaShem's creation is "good," HaShem never says it is "perfect." The seemingly random events are just that: random acts of nature. HaShem set the world in motion, and HaShem can intervene, but Hashem does not control everything.

The middle portion of the book is very well written, but says very little. For the most part, R' Kushner provides stories of how people suffer, and their reactions to suffering. Included in this middle section is an interesting interpretation of the plural "We shall make man in our image and likeness."

The final chapter of "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" provides a great insight: after suffering a loss, people often ask the wrong question. The most common reactions to a loss are: "Why did HaShem do this to me?" and "How could HaShem allow this to happen?" These questions are identical; they self-focus and look backward. R' Kushner says people should ask: "What do I need to do now?" Loss is a part of life. Mourning is necessary, but it cannot consume a person for all time. The Mourner's Kaddish, said in memory of a loved one, is not a lament, but an affirmation of life. After suffering a loss, a person must look forward, not backwards.

"When Bad Things Happen to Good People" is frustrating, but should be read. The book lacks focus. R' Kushner owes his readers a greater exploration of his theology. The section on looking forward needs expansion and emphasis. R' Kushner spends very little time writing about human's relationship with HaShem. Nonetheless, the book most useful as a jumping off point for discussion and further exploration of HaShem's power, the Book of Job, and dealing with loss. (show less)

 

 

by Facebook-användare

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  When Bad Things Happen to Good People, by Harold S. Kushner is one of those books that I’ve heard about for years, but discounted as popular self-help that I would never bother to read. I was wrong to judge it this way. Published in 1981, this book clearly has staying power for good reason.

  I am fortunate enough to be able to read this small book without the specter of tragedy hanging over me, so I may not be able to judge the helpfulness of Kushner’s arguments as a person who has suff... (show more)

  When Bad Things Happen to Good People, by Harold S. Kushner is one of those books that I’ve heard about for years, but discounted as popular self-help that I would never bother to read. I was wrong to judge it this way. Published in 1981, this book clearly has staying power for good reason.

  I am fortunate enough to be able to read this small book without the specter of tragedy hanging over me, so I may not be able to judge the helpfulness of Kushner’s arguments as a person who has suffered might. But as a person of faith in God (specifically the Judeo-Christian view of God) I found Kushner’s explanations of tragedy in the world compelling. He believes that suffering occurs as random acts of nature, evil acts of man and not punishment from our God. His arguments are comforting, easy to understand, and thoroughly examined with Biblical support.

  I would guess that an atheist or an agnostic would find little use in this book, but people of Jewish or Christian faith, even those who are not dealing with tragedy, should find a helpful outlook on the worst events in life that might shake one’s faith. (show less)

   

  by Facebook-användare on Aug 15, 2009 at 11:57PM

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  This book is the best approach to theodicy I've ever read. Grounded in the process theological tradition, it will give you a whole new perspective not only on suffering and religion, but on the nature of God. Kushner is part of a convergeance of Jewish and liberal protestant theologians who are trying to solve some of the big theological problems of history, and they are succeeding. Kushner's work has helped millions, proving the religious value of that convergeance. If you've never read this... (show more)

  This book is the best approach to theodicy I've ever read. Grounded in the process theological tradition, it will give you a whole new perspective not only on suffering and religion, but on the nature of God. Kushner is part of a convergeance of Jewish and liberal protestant theologians who are trying to solve some of the big theological problems of history, and they are succeeding. Kushner's work has helped millions, proving the religious value of that convergeance. If you've never read this book, and especially if you are struggling with questions of the place of faith in a world of suffering now, go out and pick up this book. It is an easy, good read with a powerful message and sophisticated, relevant ideas. (show less)

   

   

  by Joshua Orsak on Dec 21, 2009 at 01:19PM

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