I just finished reading an extremely moving book called Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff. It is Wolterstorff’s journal of sorrow following the tragic death of his twenty-five year old son who died in a climbing accident. The book reminded me a lot of Lewis’ A Grief Observed. Wolterstorff’s and Lewis’ journeys through grief are considerably different, but both books give us a deeply personal account of suffering. Both give us hope that God can be trusted, even in the midst of tragic and unexplainable pain.
These books remind me that philosophical arguments are often rendered powerless in the face of existential suffering. Reason provides little comfort to those whose loved ones have tragically died. It is difficult to see the point of philosophical arguments through eyes soaked with tears. In times of great personal suffering, it is the resources of divine revelation that give us hope. The suffering of Christ reminds us that we do not suffer alone. The Resurrection reminds us that death has been conquered. The presence of the Holy Spirit fills us and allows us to go on living despite our pain.
7 comments:
Tristan, Chuck had us read this book along with A Grief Observed for our Lamentations course in college. That was quite a thing, reading the two of them together at the same time. Thanks for your thoughts on the topic.
Wolterstorff is definitely in my top 10 favorite philosophers of all time. A great man. I read "Lament" a few years ago and it is a lot like A Grief Observed in many ways. I wonder if anyone can point their finger at some significant differences between the two books.
BTW, what do you have in mind when you say "existential suffering?"
Here's a few of the difference I noticed between the two books. Lewis' loss led him to question his faith and God's existence. There are times when he is plainly angry with God. Wolterstorff says that he is not angry at God; he is "baffled and hurt."
Lewis seems to need some explanation for Helen's death. In the end he concludes that God allowed her to die to reveal that his faith was a "house of cards." Wolterstorff doesn't seem to be seeking an explanation. I think his book is simply a reflection on mourning. It is a “lament.”
When I say “existential suffering,” I simply mean personal/experiential/embodied suffering (as opposed to the mere idea of suffering; theoretical suffering).
That's a good difference between the two. I haven't read them in quite a while and don't really remember all the distinctions.
(Speaking of suffering, I played existential golf yesterday (as opposed to just thinking about golf) with an existential golf ball (as opposed to just playing with an idea of a golf ball--i.e. golfing in theory) :)
Duns,
I'm going to have to give you an existential butt-kicking.
:)
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