Where is God in a Coronavirus World?

Reviewed by 8th Grade WHERE IS GOD IN A CORONAVIRUS WORLD? ​Where is God In a Coronavirus World? ​Is a published book by mathematician and professor at the University of Oxford and is a fun fact, Northern Irish. I had no idea Northern Ireland was even a place. This book not only tells what God is doing in this current pandemic we find ourselves in right now but also how the attributes of a Christian can come into place. The book, like all other books, begins in Chapter One. This chapter is entitled “Feeling Vulnerable”. Lennox talks about the plagues and epidemics in the past, and how Coronavirus compares to them. Since Lennox is in his seventies, it’s sensible that he feels vulnerable catching Coronavirus. But the last paragraph is themed, “Is God There?” Since churches are closed, now were closed because this book was written a few months ago since the churches were closed, Lennox points out where or whom we can get a source of hope. For me, reading this told me that God was the inspiration of hope in these troubled times. “Cathedrals and Worldviews” is the title of the second chapter. This chapter talks about the moral and natural disasters, for an example, Professor Lennox talks about how humans aren’t directly responsible for natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes while moral disasters have men and women be directly responsible for acts of hate, terror, violence, abuse, and murder. Now we're changing the subject to atheism as Chapter Three is called, “Can Atheism Help”. From my or a Christian's POV, it obviously sounds like, “no”. But when we’re asked why we tend to have a weak answer, so Lennox provides a more in-depth answer to get a better understanding. My best understanding is in the part, “Atheism Can’t Help You”. Chapter Four is “How Can There Be Coronavirus If There Is A Loving God.” I think the main points come when Lennox, first says that humans are given the wonderful gift of free will. This allows humans to say yes or no and decide our actions to have a closer relationship with God. But free will also can lead to us using it in an evil way, which can cause moral disasters, maybe even natural disasters. So whether Coronavirus came from humans or animals, it still is from free will. The second point is when the Northern Irishman explains why things are the way there are. The reason for that is, when Adam and Eve first disobeyed God, the world turned itself away from God, and since God told them not to eat from the Tree Of Knowledge Of Good and Evil, but they did anyway, the world would die. The second to last chapter is “The Evidence Of Love”. Again, there are two main points that factor into the lesson. Lennox talks about the Christian and biblical view on the evidence of love, justice, and the solution to the problem, which is the resurrection of Jesus. Then the different views of the word “corona” to which Jesus suffered for us. The last, but not least, chapter six. “The Difference God Makes”, this chapter is about Lennox giving advice on how Christians should respond to the ongoing pandemic. He says to heed the advice, maintain perspective, love your neighbor, remember eternity, and finally, the climb. This book was one of the only PERFECT books I’ve read. It has a thorough explanation, it is short, and it is structured well. I’m going to put out a disclaimer that this book isn’t as easy to understand as I have explained it. But what I have done to understand this book better is to write about it. I would recommend it to anyone but especially to all you atheist fools and people that think God is punishing them by this pandemic.

Prof John Lennox, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford, has written a thoughtful and helpful booklet on the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. He offers a balanced, insightful, and hopeful view about the challenges we face. This highly accessible and surprisingly brief publication can be read in one sitting. Like the pandemic that confronts us all, there is something useful for everyone, whether believer, atheist, or agnostic. This would be an excellent resource for small groups to discuss and I highly recommend it without reservation.

Lot os applicable information, but does still not address WHY God cannot intervene if all powerful

Professor Lennox has written a brief and intelligent book that is directly concerned with today's headlines and current societal concerns. Although his book is not long, it covers the important questions that many Christians are having concerning the novel virus. It is the first book I've read by Lennox and his clarity in communicating ideas increases my interest in reading other books by him.

John Lennox has the uncommon gift of using his brilliance to connect the dots that some of us might apprehend individually but can't quite map into the bigger picture that he draws for us. Then, when, his insights seems obvious after he shares them, he's humble enough to acknowledge that reasonable people can disagree. It's hard to, though, because both his logic and his scripture-fluent faith are impressive. Yes, it's short book. But it's impact will last a long time.

While touching on moral evil in this small but powerful book Lennox presents the biblical view of natural evil. Using the coronavirus crisis as his jumping off point he shows that God is all-loving and all-powerful but he is not the author of evil. Rather, God gave humankind free moral choice and through the sin of Adam the earth was subjected to futility (Rom 8:20). And yet God is sovereign and accomplishes his purposes through the free choices of mankind. This is a very good and concise presentation of the biblical view of evil. Unfortunately John Piper’s book “Coronavirus and Christ”, in which he has many good things to say, appears to state that God is the cause of the coronavirus when he says “The coronavirus was sent, therefore, by God” (p. 42) and “to put it another way, everything happens because God wills it to happen” (p. 39).

Applicable to current events but small. More like a pamphlet.

This is a wonderful book that was very thought provoking and definitely relevant. Dr John Lennox is one of my favorite authors and lecturers; all of his books are highly recommended. He boldly defends the Christian worldview with solid argument.

I very much enjoyed reading this book, very informative and beautifully written. I am a Roman Catholic but recommend this book to anyone from any other religious group or ones who claim not to have any beliefs! There is no harm in reading other's opinion!

An important short book to be read in 2020. I was in tears at the end of the book. There were many questions still but I was filled with hope and peace.

Thanking God for John Lennox. A faithful servant of the Lord. Those on the side of truth will rejoice in what he has written.

Comforting and challenging. An openly honest presentation of God and the Coronavirus. The author wonderfully reminds us of the love of God and attempts to unravel the mystery of why God allows suffering. The book doesn’t give a definite answer, but it points to history for previous epi/pandemics and the Christian response. It is based on scripture and despite being a short book, both challenges the reader while offering moments of hope in a despairing and ever changing time in our lives. Highly recommended.

Was great information