“Behold, I make All Things New!” is a book recently launched in the U.S by a Nigerian born aerospace engineer, Dr. ‘Tunde Caleb Agboola. The immediate past national president of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance, Rev. (Dr.) Supo Ayokunle endorsed the book as “a compendium for all people in difficult situations and are asking the question of where is God?” Agboola, the author of the book, in the below interview with Christian Benefits on Exploits of Nigerian Preachers in the Diaspora, shares how the book was inspired by his daughter’s genetic disorder experience, and how the book is helpful in healing or restoring people going through perpetual and inexplicable evil, pain, and suffering that has or is leading them to question or doubt the goodness of God. Excerpts below.
Congratulations on your new book, “Behold, I Make All Things New!” Please, can we meet you sir?
I am Dr. Babatunde Omogbolahan Caleb Agboola (I prefer the short form, Dr. ‘Tunde Caleb Agboola). I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, a husband, a father, a lay Bible teacher who focuses on disciple-making; a mentor to many, a worship leader in songs, a public speaker, and an engineer who earned a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University.
Briefly share with us about your upbringing and background, including your rebirth encounter.
I was born in Somolu-Bariga, Lagos State Nigeria. My primary education began at Maxwell Nursery/Primary School, and I completed it at Alubarika primary school Bariga. My secondary education was at CMS Grammar school in Bariga. I grew up in a Christian home. I was born again in 1996 at the annual refreshing camp of the Lagos State Baptist Students Fellowship.
Since when have you left Nigeria for overseas, and how will you describe your experience living outside the country over the years?
I left Nigeria for the United States in 2008 for my graduate studies. My experience living outside the country has been a mix of both ups and downs, but God has worked it all together for good.
Tell us about your new book, “Behold, I Make All Things New!”
The book provides a logical but Biblical defense and rationalization for the goodness of God in light of the existence of evil to provide ultimate purpose, meaning, and hope amid experiences of evil, pain, and suffering. The book speaks to what theologians call “the problem of evil” or “Theodicy,” using logical, scientific, philosophical, and spiritual approaches.
What is the inspiration behind the book?
My experience raising my beloved daughter, Ayanfe, with my wife inspired this book. Ayanfe was born with a genetic disorder.
Specifically, what is the central message of the book, and who are its target readers?
The book’s message is that a good God exists even though evil exists and that God has an eternal purpose and desire to have mature children from among human beings for all eternity. God’s eternal desire and purpose is what God is working all things (including every evil, pain, and suffering) to accomplish. All the evil, pain, and suffering that God allows (although inflicted by the devil and human beings) is because he has seen how he will work it all together to produce sons/daughters from among human beings. He is working everything (good or evil) for the ultimate good of bringing many sons to glory. The target reader are people who may be going through or knows someone who might be going through perpetual and inexplicable evil, pain, and suffering that has or is leading them to question/doubt the goodness of God.
How can the readers appropriate the message or the benefits of the book to their situations or endeavors?
They will find understanding, ultimate meaning, purpose, and hope in and beyond their life’s difficult and painful experiences. And they will be able to appropriate the promises of our good God and, confidently, become God’s agent of promoting good in this world filled with so much pain, suffering, and evil. Below is a quote on the book’s message from the endorsement by Rev.(Dr.) Supo Ayokunle, CAN president 2016-2022, and the vice president of the Baptist World Alliance “This book is a compendium for all people in difficult situations and are asking the question of where is God? or why has the good God allowed this to happen to me? It is an antidote for depression caused by troubles of life. Its academic, theological, spiritual, and practical richness makes it useful for readers from different backgrounds. It is a must-read for all who want to finish their life’s journeys well.”
How do you relate the book’s import to the situations around the world today, particularly in Nigeria, if you are in tune with the situations in the country today?
I believe reading the book will answer the questions in people’s minds about where God is in all of the suffering and pain. It will also show what people can do to partner with God to help minimize the pain, hopelessness, and evil perpetrated in the world and our beloved country, particularly regarding the church and other earthly institutions with delegated authority.
How long or short is the book in terms of its chapters and pages?
The book has four sections, 13 chapters, and 262 pages.
How affordable and accessible is the book for interested buyers and readers; that is, how can people get copies of the book, and at what cost?
People can purchase the e-book on Selar and Amazon in Nigeria and some other countries. People can buy a paper copy on Jumia in Nigeria. Outside of Nigeria, the book is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other stores worldwide. Links to all purchasing platforms are on the book page on my website drtundecalebagboola.com/dtransfer-books.
Thank you for your audience
Thank you for the opportunity
