A Time for Sorrow: Recovering the Practice of Lament in the Life of the Church

Six scholars trace the role of lamentation in the Old and New Testaments in A Time for Sorrow: Recovering the Practice of Lament in the Life of the Church, reflecting on the theological significance of lament, affirming the ongoing relevance of lamentation in the life of the church, and exploring its biblical roots and application in church practice.

In a church era dominated by positive thinking and slick, upbeat “worship,” even mentioning the word lamentation is apt to cause a dismissive, disinterested shrug. But Christians still suffer, and this suffering is left mute when the church fails to integrate biblical lament in contemporary church practice. A Time for Sorrow looks to address this by recovering the biblical practice of bringing our pain before God in an honest and faithful manner. In this multiauthor work, learn about the role of lamentation in the Old and New Testaments, reflect on the theological significance of lament, and finish with thoughts on lament and pastoral practice today.

Scott Harrower (PhD, Trinity International University) is a lecturer in Christian thought at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia.

Sean M. McDonough (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Donna Petter (PhD, University of Toronto) is director of the Hebrew Language Program and associate professor of Old Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts.

Lindsay Wilson (PhD, Melbourne) is senior lecturer in Old Testament at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia.

Rhys S. Bezzant (ThD, Australian College of Theology) is lecturer in church history at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia.