Choosing Life After Tragedy: An Experience-Based Theological Journey - Hardcover

by Anson Hugh Laytner (Author)

A wave of disease and death in his immediate family led Rabbi Anson Laytner to question much of what he had learned about the meaning of suffering, the value of petitionary prayer, and the role of God in human life. As he struggled to deal with his grief and doubts, he gradually found a way forward. His spiritual healing process took him from intense grief to a renewed appreciation of life--and resulted in this book, a work of creative theology some eighteen years in the making. Choosing Life After Tragedy is written for people who struggle with the subjects of suffering, divine providence, God, and prayer; people who are looking for honest, thoughtful, provocative--and occasionally humorous--theological reflections, but no easy answers. Laytner intersperses his penetrating theological reflections with pertinent episodes from his life because, for him, theology is personal and experience-based. Trained as a liberal rabbi, Laytner riffs on Jewish themes to offer a universal message of hope in the face of suffering and loss, and of mutual support based on humanity's various teachings of lovingkindness. This book will challenge you; it will sometimes amuse you; but you will not remain unmoved.

Author Biography

Anson Laytner is a retired liberal rabbi, living in Seattle, whose career in non-profit and academic settings focused on fostering positive interfaith and interethnic relations. He is the author of Arguing with God, The Mystery of Suffering and the Meaning of God, co-author of The Animals' Lawsuit Against Humanity, co-editor of The Chinese Jews of Kaifeng, and author of the forthcoming novel, The Aboab Manuscript. Visit his website at www.ansonlaytner.com for more information.