{"product_id":"broken-planet","title":"Broken Planet","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eIn Broken Planet\u003c\/i\u003e, 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.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDr. 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDr Dirckx addresses topics such as:\u003cbr\u003eIf God exists, why would he make a world with earthquakes and tsunamis?\u003cbr\u003eWhy is there so much suffering in a natural disaster?\u003cbr\u003eAre natural disasters God''s judgement?\u003cbr\u003eIs my illness a punishment from God?\u003cbr\u003eWhat kind of God would allow natural disasters and diseases?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf 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.\u003c\/p\u003e Dr Dirckx includes personal testimonies of people that have experienced natural disasters, either as victims or as professionals sent into their aftermath. These stories powerfully ground the theological theory in real life experiences. Dr Dirckx is an experienced apologist and writer, having worked with OCCA for many years in the UK. She has appeared multiple times on mainstream media discussing these topics and is a trusted voice for the Christian perspective on suffering, science and faith. The book is careful to include cited scientific data where needed, but its real strength is the warm and empathetic tone that Dr Dirckx takes when discussing the implications of these terrible events. This book stands out from other apologetic books in that it addresses natural disasters, rather than the evil caused by humanity. It, therefore, directly deals with God''s role in our suffering. This new apologetics book builds upon the success of Why?, which was Sharon''s first book and winner of Christian Book Award 2014.","brand":"MediaPlace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57315022406014,"sku":"NW9781789740929","price":10.78,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1379\/1261\/files\/9781789740929.jpg?v=1778714818","url":"https:\/\/mediaplace.com\/products\/broken-planet","provider":"MediaPlace","version":"1.0","type":"link"}