“Meaningful”
John Lennox’s Where Is God in a Coronavirus World? is a short but powerful book that speaks directly into the fear, confusion, and uncertainty many people experienced during the pandemic. As a youth pastor, I found this book especially helpful in addressing the kinds of questions students often ask when facing suffering: Why is this happening? Where is God? Can we trust Him in times like this?
Lennox approaches these questions with both clarity and compassion. He doesn’t pretend to have all the answers, but he points readers back to what we can know—that God is not distant or indifferent to our pain. One of the strongest parts of the book is how Lennox centers everything on the person of Jesus. Instead of offering abstract explanations, he reminds us that God entered into human suffering through Christ, which gives us both hope and perspective.
From a ministry standpoint, this book is very accessible for students. It avoids overly technical language and instead uses real-world examples and Scripture to explain big ideas. Lennox also addresses the relationship between science and faith in a way that helps remove the false tension many young people feel between the two.
What I appreciated most is that Lennox doesn’t just focus on “why suffering exists,” but also on how we should respond. He encourages readers to trust God, seek truth, and ultimately place their hope in the gospel. That’s a message students need—not just during a pandemic, but in any season of uncertainty.
Overall, Where Is God in a Coronavirus World? is a thoughtful, encouraging read that I would recommend to both students and leaders. It’s a great resource for starting meaningful conversations about faith, suffering, and the hope we have in Christ.
Thank you so much for this review, Jacob! We're so glad that you found it to be an encouraging read and that you're able to recommend it to students and leaders.
