Broken Planet

Sharon Dirckx

Description

In Broken Planet, Dr. Sharon Dirckx tackles one of the toughest hurdles to faith in God, Why is there suffering?, with credibility and compassion.
In Broken Planet, Dr Sharon Dirckx, scientist and apologist, offers a measured and thoughtful case for how there could be a God of love that allows natural disasters.

The question of suffering is one of the greatest hurdles to Christian faith. When believers respond to the question of why there is suffering in the world, they often turn to the free-will defence. This states that humans make choices for good or ill that can bring about suffering in the lives of others. However, that doesn't explain why children die of cancer, or why the latest earthquakes, tsunamis or pandemics have been so destructive. These seem to happen not because of our choices, but in spite of them. So how do we make sense of these events?

Dr. Sharon Dirckx blends argument, science and first-person narrative in this unique book, weaving answers to real questions with compassion and empathy, while also acknowledging the element of mystery we will always live with while on earth.

Dr Dirckx addresses topics such as:
If God exists, why would he make a world with earthquakes and tsunamis?
Why is there so much suffering in a natural disaster?
Are natural disasters God's judgement?
Is my illness a punishment from God?
What kind of God would allow natural disasters and diseases?

If you have ever struggled to reconcile the idea of a loving God with all the pain in our world, this book will encourage you that belief in such a God is not as unreasonable as it may seem. In fact, it may be where God is revealed most profoundly.

Contents
Acknowledgments xiii
Tsunami, Sri Lanka 2004: morning 1
Introduction 5
Tsunami, Indonesia 2004 8
1 If God is real, why are there natural disasters? 14
Earthquake, Haiti 2010 26
2 Is this the best of all possible worlds? 34
Hurricane Irene, USA 1999 45
3 Why do so many suffer and die in natural disasters? 51
Wildfires, Australia 2019 - 20 62
4 Are natural disasters the judgment of God? 68
Taal Volcano eruptions, Philippines 1977, 2011 and 2020 79
5 Can science now answer all of our questions? 84
Drought and conflict, South Sudan 2006 94
6 Natural disasters or national disasters? 99
Locusts, Ethiopia 2019 - 20 117
7 What about insects that devastate? 122
COVID-19 pandemic, UK 2020 132
8 Why would God allow pandemics? 137
Earthquake, Nicaragua 1972 148
9 Why doesn’t God just intervene anyway? 154
Earthquake, Japan 2016 168
10 What should my response be to a natural disaster? 174
Tsunami, Sri Lanka 2004: evening 184
Notes 186

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Christian Theology
• Philosophie et théologie
• Apologetics

Informations

• Publié par: IVP
• Date de parution: 16 février 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781789740936
• Langue: English

Extrait

‘Natural evil is one of the toughest questions that Christians grapple with. Sharon has combined real-life accounts with insightful theological reflections to create a book that will help anyone looking for answers. Most importantly, Sharon explains why, despite the suffering and evil we face, Christians can offer the redemptive hope of Christ to a broken world. Thoroughly recommended.’
Justin Brierley , host and author of Unbelievable?
‘ Broken Planet is a book that speaks deeply to the question, “If there is a good God, why is the created world riddled with natural disasters which wreak havoc and devastation?” In this honest and profound exploration, Broken Planet addresses the pain that can be associated with this question, while opening up fresh and meaningful avenues for thought and consideration. Amongst these perspectives are moving and inspiring accounts of humanity’s longing for justice, restoration, hope and a willingness to sacrifice for others, which provoke one to consider the power and presence of goodness within a broken planet. Sharon has provided a helpful and impressive response to a difficult question.’
Lara Buchanan , Speaker, OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics
‘ Broken Planet is an honest, insightful and much-needed book. Dr Dirckx does not shy away from the intellectual and emotional challenge of natural disasters. As a scientist, she brings a unique perspective to the difficult question of how a loving God could allow earthquakes, forest fires, viruses, tsunamis and other kinds of natural forces that often cause such pain and devastation. This is my new go-to book on the natural problem of evil.’
Sean McDowell , Professor at Biola University and the author or co-author of more than twenty books, including Evidence that Demands a Verdict
‘If you’ve ever thought that belief in God cannot be squared with the existence of a natural world that teems with viruses, parasites, earthquakes, tsunami and a host of other horrible ways to kill us, then this compelling, informative and lucidly argued book will make you think again.’
Professor Nick Megoran , School of Geography, Politics and Sociology, Newcastle University, UK, and author of Big Questions in an Age of Global Crises
‘I don’t recommend this book for bedtime reading, for it raises profound and disturbing questions. But therein lies its greatest value. Sharon Dirckx offers no easy answers. In fact, she makes clear that we will never fully understand natural disasters this side of eternity. But her book compelled me to examine my shallow assumptions and dig down to bedrock truths about God, our broken world and our ultimate hope.’
Glenn Oeland , Senior Editor, National Geographic
‘How can there be a good God when there are hurricanes, tsunami and starvation? This question is often overlooked in conversations around the problem of evil. Rather than shying away from disaster, disease and death, Sharon Dirckx demonstrates that Christianity has the resources to face these issues – as well as to give us hope in the midst of them.’
Lee Strobel , New York Times bestselling author and founding director, Lee Strobel Center, Colorado Christian University, USA
‘The occurrence of disasters and all the associated grief and suffering that they cause poses a major problem for both religious and secular people. In a series of thoughtful chapters, Sharon Dirckx discusses how we might approach this problem, finally landing on a Christian perspective of hope even in the midst of perplexity. The chapters are interspersed with moving personal reflections from both survivors and aid workers that keep the discussion grounded; they brought tears to my eyes.’
Bob White, FRS , Emeritus Professor of Geophysics, University of Cambridge, UK
‘Using stories, science, Scripture and philosophy, Sharon helps us to think through the problem of suffering caused by natural disasters. This moving book is honest, and yet it is grounded in the hope of the Christian message.’
Clare Williams , founder of Get Real Apologetics
Dr Sharon Dirckx is a freelance speaker and author and an adjunct lecturer at OCCA, The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. Originally from a scientific background, she has a PhD in brain imaging from the University of Cambridge and held research positions in the UK and USA before moving into the area of apologetics. Sharon speaks and lectures regularly and has appeared on several BBC programmes in the UK, including Radio 2’s Good Morning Sunday and Radio 4’s Beyond Belief . She is author of the award-winning book, Why?: Looking at God, evil and personal suffering , as well as Am I Just My Brain? Sharon lives in Oxford with her husband and two children.

INTER-VARSITY PRESS
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© Sharon Dirckx, 2023
Sharon Dirckx has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as Author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version (Anglicized edition). Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Ltd, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. ‘ niv ’ is a registered trademark of Biblica. UK trademark number 1448790.
First published 2023
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978–1–78974–092–9
eBook ISBN: 978–1–78974–093–6
Set in 11.75/15.5pt Minion Pro
Typeset in Great Britain by CRB Associates, Potterhanworth, Lincolnshire
Printed in Great Britain by Ashford Colour Press Ltd, Gosport, Hampshire
eBook by CRB Associates , Potterhanworth, Lincolnshire
Produced on paper from sustainable sources
Inter-Varsity Press publishes Christian books that are true to the Bible and that communicate the gospel, develop discipleship and strengthen the church for its mission in the world.
IVP originated within the Inter-Varsity Fellowship, now the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, a student movement connecting Christian Unions in universities and colleges throughout Great Britain, and a member movement of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. Website: www.uccf.org.uk . That historic association is maintained, and all senior IVP staff and committee members subscribe to the UCCF Basis of Faith.
For Abby and Ethan
Contents
Acknowledgments
Tsunami, Sri Lanka 2004: morning
Introduction
Tsunami, Indonesia 2004
1 If God is real, why are there natural disasters?
Earthquake, Haiti 2010
2 Is this the best of all possible worlds?
Hurricane Irene, USA 1999
3 Why do so many suffer and die in natural disasters?
Wildfires, Australia 2019–20
4 Are natural disasters the judgment of God?
Taal Volcano eruptions, Philippines 1977, 2011 and 2020
5 Can science now answer all of our questions?
Drought and conflict, South Sudan 2006
6 Natural disasters or national disasters?
Locusts, Ethiopia 2019–20
7 What about insects that devastate?
COVID-19 pandemic, UK 2020
8 Why would God allow pandemics?
Earthquake, Nicaragua 1972
9 Why doesn’t God just intervene anyway?
Earthquake, Japan 2016
10 What should my response be to a natural disaster?
Tsunami, Sri Lanka 2004: evening
Notes
Acknowledgments
Broken Planet has come into being with the help of many people. I am grateful to my agent, Mark Sweeney, and to IVP for publishing this book, and especially to my former and current editors, Eleanor Trotter and Joshua Wells respectively. A book of this kind, seeking to draw from experiences of natural disasters from around the world, would not have been possible without the help of the international network that I was part of during its inception. A huge thank you to OCCA The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics for helping to identify people with a story to tell. Tracy Trinita, thank you for sitting me down and sharing your heart for a book of this kind. I am grateful to Nancy Gifford for support and vision in getting the project started back in 2019 and to Richard Giles for some key introductions in 2021. I am especially indebted to Kate Faccini, for help in setting up each interview, for your insights as a geographer and for your careful transcription of each interview. This book simply wouldn’t have happened without you! The manuscript is all the better for insightful comments from friends and skilful apologists: Lara Buchanan, Tom Price, Max Baker Hytch, Simon Edwards and Nick Megoran. As for my family, your patience, understanding and encouragement gave me the freedom to write on the many evenings, weekends and school holidays that were needed. Heartfelt thanks to my husband, Conrad, for your unwavering support and crucial comments that are a litmus test for me of whether or not my writing ‘will fly’, and to my children, Abby and Ethan, to whom this book is dedicated. Final thanks go to those who have shared their stories, not all of whom were able to feature in the final version of this book. You are the true heroes of this project and have reminded us what it means to live with courage, love your neighbour and serve God.
Tsunami, Sri Lanka 2004: morning
Rosi, tourist
We were on holiday and just finishing breakfast when somebody looked out of the window and commented that the sea was doing something rather strange. People started gathering to look for themselves. The sea was unusually high and seemed to be coming in closer. At first it was just a curious sight and we went over to watch as well.
All of a sudden, the sea was coming up the beach, over a wall and across the grass, and began to su