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How could a loving God allow suffering?
A pastor, cancer survivor and author of a book that helps answer the question “How could a loving God allow suffering?” is headed to Jackson next month for a special program.
Tim Chaffey, author of “God and Cancer: Finding Hope in the Midst of Life’s Trials,” will be at Salem Lutheran Church Sunday, Nov. 8, for a 7 p.m. talk. He will address the tough question asked by many cancer patients and their family members by drawing upon his own battle with leukemia.
Chaffey was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia in the summer of 2006 and soon found himself fighting for his life. His doctor told Chaffey he was on “the razor blade of life” and that he would die if he gave him too much or too little of anything. Chaffey battled through four rounds of chemotherapy and is now in full remission.
“I believe that we should use our experiences to help others,” Chaffey said. “As a pastor, I want to show people that even though difficult times will come, they can still trust that God is there to carry them through.”
As a result of that desire to help others, Chaffey published his latest book. The first section of the book takes the reader through the various stages of Chaffey’s own battle with cancer. Each chapter in the section includes practical advice and biblical examples of how a person can find hope in the midst of the fear, doubt, worry, pain and frustration that inevitably come with a cancer diagnosis.
While the first section of the book displays a pastoral focus, the second reveals an apologist’s heart. Realizing that many people have used the problem of suffering as an argument against God’s existence, Chaffey demonstrates that the Bible provides the best explanation for the existence of suffering as well as the best solution to the problem.
Eric Hullstrom, pastor of Salem Lutheran, said Chaffey’s book is a stunning read.
“He talks about his journey with the illness and deals with the issue of God and suffering,” Hullstrom said. “It’s a very powerful book.”
Chaffey was raised in the Midwest and attended Minnesota Bible College (now Crossroads College), where he earned an associate’s degree in theological and biblical studies. He also holds a master’s degree in biblical and theological studies as well as a master of divinity, specializing in theology and apologetics. He is currently working on a doctorate in theology and apologetics. In addition to being a pastor, Chaffey has taught high school Bible classes and speaks at camps, schools, conferences and churches on a variety of topics related to apologetics.
The Nov. 8 talk will take place in Salem Lutheran Church’s Fellowship Hall. Refreshments and child care will be provided and a freewill offering will be taken.
Hullstrom said he is excited to hear what Chaffey has to say: “I think this is going to be a really neat and powerful event since so many people have been touched by cancer in some way.”
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