Finding Faith: A Search for What Makes Sense

While I agree with the reviewer below that the book would have been better packaged along with its companion, let me recomomend this first book as an outstanding contribution to exploring the big questions of life. It really does make sense!The text is easily accessible; it's not a detailed analysis meant for specialists in philosophy of religion (like me). I plan to require it for my university students, but I think it will work especially well in my general theology courses aimed at adults who are not tightly connected with the Church.My only substantive criticisms are that 1) I wish Brian had openly embraced evolutionary theory as compatible with belief in God. His general position in this book and others seems especially compatible with theistic evolution. Perhaps he wanted to side-step the complexities of the evolution controversy, but I think the book would have been stronger had he explored the issues directly. (He did mentioned that he enjoys the work of theistic evolutionist John Haught.)I also think that 2) Brian's general position on the God-world relationship is a version of pan-en-theism (not pantheism). He doesn't address that possibility in the book -- again probably because it's aimed at a broad audience.Having mentioned these minor criticisms, I should come clean and acknowledge that I'm willing to look past just about any differences of opinion upon learning that Brian likes listening to Bruce Cockburn! : ) (p. 117)Thomas Jay Oord

I have been disillusioned by the religion of my childhood. I stopped believing anything for a long time as the church of my youth had me fearful of hellfire. I was fearful and ashamed all the time, so I turned it all "off." I started seeking again a year or so ago. I was surprised to see almost that exact story outlined in this book. The author clearly articulates and attempts to answer my questions. I look forward to reading his other Finding Faith book.

Easy read. Author details all the arguments for and against faith with himself that he has at times questioned his own faith. Many of us who are professed Christians have at different times questioned our faith when things were against us not of our own doing such diseases of children, wars, various genocides, etc. It is easy to blame God for these but in Genesis, man made a choice for freedom to our own thing. God gave us freedom of choice. The points made by Brian will be used by me in a "moot court" to be held as a kickoff for a fall of a adult Sunday School class named "animate" published and available through Augsburg Press.

I liked this book of Brian McClaren for the fact that it open one 's mind on your own journey with God. The things which struck me was:Stages of faith which I see in mynown life and in manynpeople I encounter.The rejection of a view of 'we know and have the final answer on religion (and/or God). We don't. God is bigger than our thoughts or 'knowldge'.The definition of 'good faith' vs 'bad faith'. Many 'good Christians' are actually living out 'bad faith'.Off to the second volume...

As a person who struggles with faith, McLaren opened my mind, and led me to think for myself about spiritual matters. I highly recommend this book.

For anyone who has had doubts or even would like to learn more about faith - This is the book to read. He outlines it and works through issues with a sense of factuality, reality and spirituality. He never pushes his beliefs, but encourages the reader to look at the issues of faith with a new perspective.

Great book! I used the first few chapters with my teenage son as we prepared for his church confirmation. I also plan to keep this book in my "tool bag" because I think will be beneficial in the future.

Brian McLaren has been in my spotlight for several years. Consequentally, I have several of his books that I intended to read upon receiving them but have not done so. Later.

A interesting insight into building faith. The author is highly knowledgeable and has the experience required to guide the reader to improve. A reflective read that can be very useful at time of hardship.