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Audiobooks > Religion >  Christianity > The Problem of Pain

Download The Problem of Pain Audiobook

The Problem of Pain Audiobook, by C. S. Lewis Extended Sample Click for printable size audiobook cover
Author: C. S. Lewis Narrator: Simon Vance Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download Audio Length: Release Date: June 2005 ISBN: 9781481541251
4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 4.00 (16,828 ratings) (rate this audio book)
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For centuries, Christians have been tormented by one question above all: “If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain?” Is there justice or wisdom to be won by suffering, or some reward beyond understanding? And what of the suffering of animals, which neither deserve pain nor can be improved by it? Is the quantity and variety of suffering in the world inconsistent with, or evidence against, an omnipotent and perfectly loving God?

The greatest Christian thinker of all time sets out to disentangle this knotty issue. With his signature wealth of compassion and insight, C. S. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to help heal a world hungering for a true understanding of human nature, free will, and the will of the Divine.

Download and start listening now!

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Quotes & Awards

  • “The point about reading C. S. Lewis is that he makes you sure, whatever you believe, that religion accepted or rejected means something extremely serious, demanding the entire energy of the mind.”

    Harper’s

  • “It is really a pleasure to be able to praise a book unreservedly, and that is just what I can do with The Problem of Pain.”

    Guardian (London)

  • “Lewis succeeds in lifting the reader from his frame of reference by artfully capitulating these topics into a conversational tone, which makes his assertions easy to swallow and even easier to digest. Lewis is straightforward in aim as well as honest about his impediments…The mind is expanded, God is magnified, and the reader is reminded that he is not the center of the universe…While many of us naively wish that God had designed a ‘less glorious and less arduous destiny’ for his children, the fortune lies in Lewis’ inclination to set us straight with his charming wit and pious mind.”

    Amazon.com, editorial review

  • “This is an incredibly lucid and unprejudiced work…Lewis’ treatise on suffering, read by [Simon Vance], is like listening to a very interesting, yet intellectually revered, friend talk about a thorny subject over a cup of tea.”

    Paradise
  • A Paris Review Selection for Anti-Beach Reads

Listener Reviews

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  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Casey | 2/7/2014

    " he just...writes in a straighforward classis way "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kyle | 2/3/2014

    " Great intro to the problem of evil. Well written and accessible. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 April | 2/1/2014

    " Again audiobook...definitely would not have survived this otherwise. Many dull parts that I spaced out through, but the parts that kept my attention made me want to buy this book so I can highlight all of my favorite quotations. Worth the effort. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Joshua | 1/30/2014

    " Would've given it a higher rating if I could understand what the hell C S Lewis is talking about half the time. I need the Idiot's Guide to his books. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Mike | 1/23/2014

    " The Problem of Pain was a problem, but not insurmountable. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Rita | 1/20/2014

    " again an audio book. I did miss a lot when I was out of the room and will listen several times. I enjoy Lewis because he moves so clearly and logically from one point to the next, often places you didn't even think about as predecessors to the main point. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Judy | 1/12/2014

    " I love anything CS Lewis....this one is a slow read, keep a dictionary close by and a pencil to make margin notes... it's worth the pain, though! :) "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Carolyn | 1/8/2014

    " Didn't absorb much of this book. Probably being tired and reading on the train didn't help. Picked up a couple of good analogies though. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Bob | 1/6/2014

    " A decent look at the problem of pain, but not entirely from a biblical perspective. Worth a read but not the best treatment of this subject by any means. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 John | 12/5/2013

    " Possibly one of the greatest books on the subject of theodicy. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Matthew | 11/3/2013

    " I think I'd like to give this a 3.5. It was well thought out and interesting to think about, but difficult to read at times. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Lyndsey | 10/5/2013

    " CS Lewis Never disappoints. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Teju | 8/24/2013

    " Gotta love C.S. Lewis. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kenny | 4/25/2013

    " C.S. Lewis-style apologetics. I like. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Cori | 1/15/2013

    " I just ordered this book "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Jan | 12/27/2012

    " Will read again. Excellent insights. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Poetreehugger | 11/20/2012

    " To be read as part of my August Project reading list. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Don | 10/3/2012

    " Strongly thoughtful work on the philosophical problem of pain and suffering in the world. It should be read right before or after, "A Grief Observed". "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Sheba | 4/23/2012

    " I like the way Lewis responded to questions of pain. I think he deals with the issue fairly rather than simply placing the onus on the one who raises the question to answer it. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Kevin | 1/15/2012

    " Lewis is a master of his craft. I have yet to be disappointed by one of his works, although our theological views differ slightly. The arguments in this text are compelling and thought provoking and center around the necessity of pain in a universe that contains both a supreme deity and free will. "

  • 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Jill | 12/11/2011

    " Had a difficult time following it. "

  • 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Dean | 8/15/2011

    " How come there is only one option for books we don't like? I thought this book was ok but I don't want to give it two stars. I read this for school, maybe I'd like it better if I hadn't. Oh well, I'm not going to find out. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Jessie | 7/26/2011

    " Lewis has a gift for wording the most difficult, confusing theological concepts in a way that will it you like a brick. I don't buy many books (all the librarians know me by first name and book preference) but after listening to this on audio book I went out and bought a whole CS Lewis collection! "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Kevin | 3/6/2011

    " This is a collection of amazing books - if I could rate this collection higher that 5 I would have. Mere Christianity has explained so many things and strengthened my faith in God. I can hardly wait to read the remaining books "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Sonia | 1/31/2011

    " These books put together are a shame since each and everyone of them carries so much weight and subject. C.S. Lewis, called the Reluctant Convert was one of the most brilliant Christian writers of out time. My only regret is that I did not meet him. "

  • 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Reid | 1/7/2011

    " A lot of reading but well worth the effort. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Jed | 10/29/2010

    " I cajoled my family into buying this for me one Christmas. Maybe my favorite gift ever? Anyway, Lewis is excellent and you should read him. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Beth | 4/27/2010

    " Probably one of my favorite books of all time. Re-read it frequently and it continues to blow my mind! "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Darrell | 8/29/2009

    " Incredible book!! Love to read apologetics due to my history and struggle back to faith. Read it twice to absorb the info. The chapter on Pride will change your life and humble you. "

  • 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Linda | 6/29/2009

    " This book is amazing. Mere Christianity is a life changing read. "

About the Author

Clive Staples Lewis (1898–1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day. He was a fellow and tutor in English literature at Oxford University until 1954, when he was unanimously elected to the chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. His major contributions to literary criticism, children’s literature, fantasy literature, and popular theology brought him international renown and acclaim. Lewis wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include the Chronicles of Narnia, Out of the Silent Planet, The Four Loves, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.

About the Narrator

Simon Vance (a.k.a. Robert Whitfield) is an award-winning actor and narrator. He has earned more than fifty Earphones Awards and won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration thirteen times. He was named Booklist’s very first Voice of Choice in 2008 and has been named an AudioFile Golden Voice as well as an AudioFile Best Voice of 2009. He has narrated more than eight hundred audiobooks over almost thirty years, beginning when he was a radio newsreader for the BBC in London. He is also an actor who has appeared on both stage and television.