A Traveler’s Guide Through Suffering and Joy

There are ivory-tower books that go on and on about the philosophical/theological problem of human suffering. They’re called theodicies—they attempt to vindicate God. This is not one of them.

There are self-centered accounts of personal suffering. Authors of such books attempt to vindicate themselves against all those who have wronged them. They’re shallow narcissists who are singing along with Gloria Gaynor: “I Will Survive“. Or maybe they’re resolute secular intellectuals whose anthem is W. E. Henley’s Invictus:

In the fell clutch of circumstance

      I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

      My head is bloody, but unbowed.

This is obviously not that type of book either!

Christian books on suffering tend to be either theoretical/intellectual or personal/experiential. Not so this Traveler’s Guide by Dr. Karen Thomas Olsen. Karen dares to tell us that we can be changed by theology that feeds and leads. Imagine this, our lives can be changed if we take sound biblical doctrine to heart and live by it! Truth transforms!

I recently learned about Dr. Olsen’s book from a mutual friend (thanks Mary!). It turns out Karen and I both spent time at Grace Theological Seminary years ago, but we were like the proverbial two ships in the night. I’m grateful for this opportunity to connect with Karen, and for a copy of her book.

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Join my conversation with Karen Olsen here as she speaks of what God has taught her through suffering, and how her book can help individuals and groups walk through the deep valleys of life in this fallen world.

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Pedestrian theology, eh?

A Traveler’s Guide to Suffering and Joy is a unique large format book that speaks truth in love from pain to pain. The ruling metaphor or motif (see below) of the book is drawn from Colossians 2:6, As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him. Olsen styles herself and her readers as pedestrian theologians, but her theology is any but pedestrian! In God’s providence her own suffering has led her to read extensively and think deeply. The result is sound theology, contextualized and accommodated to those who are in deep pain.

Each chapter is laid out with walking in mind. The pedestrian motif is used to structure the chapters with sections labelled as travel scopes, maps, guideposts, trekking the trail, and rest stops. There is development of biblical truth (narratives and declaratives) followed by and reflection and application. Application includes singing—songs are placed in the “Rest Stop” conclusion of each chapter, and there’s even a QR code to access all the songs.

What’s in the Book?

The book has three sections, plus additional resources in an appendix. Part 1, “The Ground Under our Feet,” invites us to sample the soil. It situates suffering and joy in the grand story of the Bible by laying out three worlds— the original good world God created, the broken world that resulted when Adam and Eve sinned, and the glorious world to come when God in Christ puts everything back together. Olsen explains how our being created in God’s image factors into each of these three worlds. Three foundational types of suffering are also explained. This section helps us realize that our suffering is not unique—many of our biblical heroes and heroines have already walked this rugged path.

Part 2 encourages us to explore new territory as we walk the winding upward path of discipleship. In this section Olsen shows how our sufferings become opportunities for for us to learn and to form deep, compassionate relationships with fellow-sufferers. Three additional types of suffering and joy are unfolded. Olsen shows us how God stepped into human suffering and grief when he sent his Son into this world. Even Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered (Heb 5:8). In this section we begin to realize that our lives will be shallow and sterile if we do not walk the path of suffering and joy hand in hand with others.

Part 3 shows us the surprising depths and peaks we encounter as we continue the upward trek. Olsen unpacks the communal nature of suffering and joy in view of God’s ultimate plan for us. She asks the question, “How does my tomorrow change my today?” Here she shows us how understanding biblical eschatology provides power and hope for today’s struggles. Who knew eschatology wasn’t just about arguing about how to interpret the book of Revelation?!

The book’s Appendix is also very useful. Olsen provides a glossary with definitions of the theological terms she has used. If you scared by such words, Olsen has got you. There are also helpful summary charts, including one that displays the nine types of suffering and joy Olsen finds in the Bible and another of the main Greek words for suffering found in the New Testament. There are also directions and options on how to use the book individually and in groups. Plus a bibliography and blank pages for journaling.

A Rare and Valuable Book

I sometimes joke that I have the gift of obfuscation and that my writings are a sure cure for insomnia. I’m good at taking a simple concept and complexifying it beyond all recognition. I get that my penchant for detailed analysis is not for everyone. Karen Thomas Olsen is gifted in the opposite direction. She has found a way to package profound biblical and systematic theology in a winsome way that will communicate to her readers and, more importantly, equip them for rough roads ahead.

Those who are already suffering shouldn’t have to slog through difficult, burdensome books that will only add to their pain. Shallow books full of seemingly pious yet insipid platitudes aren’t the answer either. What’s needed are resources like Olsen’s, books that package Christian worldview and biblical truth in a way that invites readers to take the narrow path and sustains them along the way.

I highly recommend that you buy this book, but don’t read it alone. Ministry leaders should consider using this book as a resource for small groups, Bible studies, grief share groups, and Sunday School classes. Some will think this book will be most useful to women’s groups, but men as well as women will also grow by reading the book and implementing its insights. All of us need regular reminders that our heavenly Father works all things together for our ultimate good, that our present sufferings are not worthy to be compared to the glory that awaits us, and that Jesus has already been down our path of suffering.

Get to know Karen a bit better by joining our conversation and visiting her website.

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One More Thing!

Dr. Olsen is really onto something with her pedestrian theology! The biblical metaphor of walking to describe life in relationship with God is pervasive. The same metaphor is used for life in rebellion against God. Check it out! See e.g. Gen 5:22; 6:9; 17:1; 24:40; 48:15; Exod 16:4; 18:20; Lev 18:3; 26:3; Deut 5:23; 10:12; 13:4; 30:16; Josh 22:5; Judg 2:22; 1 Sam 12:2; 1 Kgs 2:3-4; 6:12; 8:23, 25; 11:38; 15:3; 2 Kgs 10:31; 17:19; 20:3; 22:2-3; 2 Chron 6:14, 27; 21:12; 34:21; Neh 5:9; 10:29; Ps 1:1; 15:2; 23:4; 78:10; 81:13; 84:11; 128:1; Prov 2:20; 14:2; Isa 2:3; 38:3; 40:31; Jer 6:16; 7:23-24; 32:23; Ezek 5:6-7; 11:12; 20:18-19; 36:27; 37:24; Dan 9:10; Hos 11:12; 14:9; Amos 2:4; Mic 2:7; 4:2,5; 6:8; Zech 3:7; 10:12; Mal 2:6 // Luke 1:6; John 8:12; 11:9-10; Acts 9:31; 21:21; Rom 4:12; 6:4; 8:4; 13:13; 14:15; 2 Cor 5:7; Gal 5:16; 6:16; Eph 2:2, 10; 4:1, 17; 5:2, 8, 15; Phil 3:17-18; Col 1:10; 2:6; 1 Thess 2:12; 4:1; , 12; 2 Thess 3:6, 11; 1 John 1:6-7; 2:11; 2 John 4, 6; 3 John 3; Jude 11; Rev 3:4; 21:24.

For further reflection on the walking motif, consider the poem “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” by James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938). The poem with its memorable line, Stoney the road we trod, bitter the chast’ning rod, was meant to encourage Johnson’s fellow African-Americans and is sometimes called the Black National Anthem. All Christians should appreciate Johnson’s skillful use of biblical imagery to portray the difficulties of our earthly pilgrimage.