AP

 John Lennox is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University (as well as being Kristyn Getty’s uncle). Essentially, this little book is a theodicy, summed up in the title of the fourth chapter: ‘How can there be coronavirus if there is a loving God?’ The coronavirus derives its name from the fact that it resembles a crown – ‘corona’ is ‘crown’ in Latin. This leads Lennox to point to another crown, the crown of thorns worn by the Saviour for the salvation of His people. 

            In theology, Lennox hovers uneasily between Calvinism and Arminianism, and it shows at times. Yet, for those struggling with the issue of suffering and the sovereignty of God, there is much here for which we must be grateful. The final quotation from Charles Spurgeon is indeed apposite: ‘God is too good to be unkind and He is too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.’ Lennox is helpful; Spurgeon is wonderful. 

                                                                                                                                    – Peter Barnes