Dream Awakener

My good friend Jim Pace (blogging here) has an excellent book that will be released April 8, 2010 entitled Should We Fire God? While the release date is still a couple of weeks away, you can actually pre-order the book now on Amazon.  It is a book that I highly recommend, if you like to go through the full range of emotions -  from tears to laughter – while you are learning more about God, reality and the problem of evil.  Let’s get on with part ii of the interview.

JR: There are a number of books that deal with the problem of evil, are you taking a unique approach, if so, how is it unique?

Jim: Wow.  When you are writing into a genre that every generation has dealt with, and one that has had some absolute brilliant writers speak to, that is an intimidating question.  CS Lewis’ The Problem of Pain, NT Wrights’ Evil and the Justice of God, Phillip Yancey’s Disappointment with God, all the way back to Origen and  St. John of the Cross’ Dark Night of the Soul.  I could give twenty others.   How is mine different?  I can guarantee that my use of semicolons and dashes is flawless.  Can they say that?  If so, why haven’t we heard it?  Yes, I am not afraid to dare ANYONE to come after my syntax.  But that isn’t all.

What made each of these books so moving and life-changing for so many is they captured the questions of their generation and spoke to them with a level of both honesty and wisdom that those who read their books felt both understood and assisted.

I tried to do the same.  I did deal with some of those generational questions that are the base of what we wonder, and are true to every generation asking them.  From the person in first century Israel that wonders why genuinely good and faithful people suffer so much, to our day and the questions we ask.  Some are quite similar.

But our questions are informed by greater sociological, neuropsychological and anthropological understanding.  My answers go to those fields and allow them to speak into the book.  The camera, for instance, is an invention that is less than 200 years old.  That first camera obscura image led us to our high definition video reality of today.  Answers about why God would allow the pain he does must deal with the fact that everyone reading those answers in today’s world has seen dead bodies floating down the streets in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans.

Some of the highest praise I have received thus far is from a number of people that have gone through some pretty terrible moments in their lives.  They said that I get them.  They feel understood, honored in their suffering.  Then they say the book helps them to reconnect with a God they have ignored or to feel loved by the God they don’t understand.  That is high praise.

JR: This is the third anniversary of the shootings, how are the students at Virginia Tech remembering the tragedy this coming year?

Jim: I really like how the university has handled the anniversaries.  This year we are focusing on how artistic expression can allow us to express our emotion and we will benefit from several artists who will be sharing their work throughout the day.  Also, throughout the day their will be a number of speakers that will give free talks on issues the victims cared about -a very nice way to allow the hearts of those who were killed to continue to impact us all.   These combine with a few events that are becoming traditional, a 3.2 mile memorial run and a candlelight vigil at the center of campus.  The days are typically low-key.  For most it is a somber day and for some it is very sad.  I have learned I really don’t know how I will feel until I feel it, so I try to be honest with that and give others the space to do the same.

JR: What was most difficult about writing this book?

Jim: I think the process of peering deeply into the suffering that so many have dealt with.  Honestly, some of the days where I did a lot of writing were very dark.  But it was also hard to wait on the Spirit to move me and not move in front of him.  This writing gig is a new thing for me, so learning how to make sure I am in a place of connection with the Lord in this new area took some time to work through.

JR: What chapter is your favorite and why?

Jim: Oh JR, JR, could a parent choose a favorite among their kids?  J  That is only me partially avoiding the question.  I like what each chapter does as a part of the whole.  Now the chapter I really don’t like is chapterafasdfadfadfafjlkl…..