The book of Job offers a study in contrasts: the introduction presents a man who declares absolute confidence in God in spite of daunting circumstances. The main body of the book then opens up to searching questions. But the conclusion affirms God’s presence with emphasis, without ever addressing the substance of Job’s questions. Does the nature of human existence suggest the impossibility of ever moving beyond skepticism to indestructible hope? When disasters touch our dear ones, is hope always tinged with a certain desperation?

Venue Crieff Parish Church (St. Michael’s), Strathearn Terrace, Crieff.