Grief and Lament

with Dr. Frank James

Is it ever ok to question God’s love or wisdom, especially when you love and serve Him but experience tremendous loss? Dr. Frank A. James, President and Professor of Historical Theology at Missio Seminary in Pennsylvania joins Dr. Chuck F. Betters to talk about this very question. Frank’s story of loss started when his younger brother, Kelly, was trapped in a snow cave on Mt. Hood and an unyielding blizzard prevented rescue. News outlets from all over the world covered the fear and anguish of Frank’s family as they waited for news about Kelly. Frank describes the emotional roller coaster of hope, fear, confusion, despair and lament as they waited and then as they realized Kelly would not survive. As a professor, author, seminary president, how is it possible Frank struggled with hard theological questions about suffering and lament. Frank’s transparency will encourage you to better understand how God welcomes your questions and holds you tightly in His grip when you struggle to understand His purposes.

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Biography of Frank A. James

Frank A. James III is the President and Professor of Historical Theology at Missio Seminary in Hatfield, PA. He formerly served as Provost and Professor of Historical Theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He studied history under Alister McGrath for his DPhil at Oxford University and added a second PhD in Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary/Pennsylvania.

Frank is a prolific author, serves as the chair of the Faith and Spirituality Advisor Board for the Department of Behavioral Health in Philadelphia and has been appointed to serve on the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction subcommittee of the Mayor’s Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic in Philadelphia.

Frank is married to Carolyn Custis James, noted author and speaker. They have one daughter, Allison, and two granddaughters.