Lamentations

Jonathan Gibson, PhD, is ordained in the International Presbyterian Church (UK) and serves as Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He is the author of The Moon Is Always Round. He is married to Jackie and they have four children.

“In a world of suffering, there’s a missing element in much of the modern-day church’s life: lament. In a fallen world, the church needs to learn this practice again. Thankfully, God provided the book of Lamentations for our instruction to this end. Yet, the study of Lamentations itself too often remains a missing element in our lives because it seems foreign and mysterious. That’s why I’m thankful for this study by Jonny Gibson. He opens up this needed book and the practice of lament for the church in our age. As long as there is suffering in a fallen world, we have need to lament. Be prepared to read, study, be humbled, weep, pray, and experience the comfort of Christ.” Jason Helopoulos, Senior Pastor, University Reformed Church, East Lansing, Michigan“Jonathan Gibson’s study of Lamentations is a ray of hope for those drowning in darkness. Written in a clear, accessible, and deeply pastoral style, this book gently charts a path forward both for sufferers and those called to help. What do you do when God seems to forsake his people, forget his promises, and direct judgment your way—when your life’s a mess and you have only yourself to blame? Gibson provides a grammar of grief, masterfully connecting the lament of Lady Zion to Jesus, the lonely Man of Sorrows. If you are adrift in life’s turbulent sea, here is a buoy of hope placed within reach of even the weariest soul.”Neil C. Stewart, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC“The book of Lamentations is often neglected by the church, and as a result, we are left unprepared when tragedy strikes. This study helps us to learn how to lament, facing up to the brokenness of this world without losing hold of the God who loves us faithfully in the midst of our suffering.”Iain Duguid, Professor of Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary; author