Christian M. M. Brady

Bible scholar Christian Brady, an expert on Old Testament lament, was as prepared as a person could be for the death of a child--which is to say, not nearly well enough. When his eight-year-old son died suddenly from a fast-moving blood infection, Brady heard the typical platitudes about accepting God's will and knew that quiet acceptance was not the only godly way to grieve.

With deep faith, knowledge of Scripture, and the wisdom that comes only from experience, Brady guides readers grieving losses and setbacks of all kinds in voicing their lament to God, reflecting on the nature of human existence, and persevering in hope. Brady finds that rather than an image of God managing every event and action in our lives, the biblical account describes the very real world in which we all live, a world full of hardship and calamity that often comes unbidden and unmerited. Yet, it also is a world into which God lovingly intrudes to bring comfort, peace, and grace. (Publisher's comments)

"Brady's witness is to the costly process of grief and the prospect of faith that will not alleviate but will carry us through that cost. This book will serve well those who face such anguished loss. Beyond that, the book is enriched with study questions for those who know that, sooner or later, we will all lose our loved ones and will be summoned to such grief."
--Walter Brueggemann author of Sabbath as Resistance

"When Christian Brady and his wife experienced the unthinkable, the sudden and unexpected death of their young son, waves of grief surged from this tragedy. Because Brady is both a parent and also a biblical scholar, the grief that welled up from his heart was accompanied by questions in his mind--questions of the nature of God, the meaning of suffering, and the promises of Scripture. This tender and powerful volume stands in honest solidarity with all who have suffered loss and in gentle and deep conversation with all whose loss has provoked questions of faith."
--Thomas G. Long, author of What Shall We Say? Evil, Suffering, and the Crisis of Faith… (altro)

What happens to us when we die? It is a question that every human that has walked the planet has pondered at one time or another during their lifetime, and normally comes to their mind when there is a death that hits close to home. Delving deeper can help someone cope with the loss, which is exactly what happened to Christian M.M. Brady.

"We experienced the Beautiful and Terrible Things of this life," says Mr. Brady and sadly he experienced both in his son, Mack. Losing a child is grief unimaginable, but the author used his pain and despair to dig deeper into his beliefs, and share how he has been able to cope with the biggest tragedy of his life.

"This book is my lament," but it is also a book filled with reflection and hope. Each chapter ends with Bible verses, prayers, and reflection questions that bring that chapter to a rooted and more personal level. The text doesn't come across as preachy but yet still shares the message of the Gospel from a place of brokenness. It is heartbreakingly beautiful to read.

Honestly, I don't think there is a better way to share your faith than when you are faced with your own mortality, and I commend Mr. Brady for this text. I cannot fathom how hard it is to lose a child so suddenly, and to write such a wonderful testimony. I cannot recommend Beautiful and Terrible Things highly enough!

*I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the John Knox Press through NetGalley. All views and opinions are completely honest, and my own.… (altro)