Years
ago, there was a quite well-known nun -- Sister Coretta perhaps -- who
wrote that if a person had not examined his or her doubts, that person's
faith was not a truly vital faith. There seems to be a lot of that examining
going on today. The articles and surveys assessing the spirituality and
beliefs, especially of the "boomers", reveal eclectic and expanding faith.
People everywhere and of all ages are rediscovering religion--church or
synagogue or some form of religious expression.
A quick survey of the religious section in most bookstores reflects this growing search for meaning and solidity. Books seem to be aimed at helping inquiring readers whose faith or church experience or belief system has been shattered for whatever reason, for those who find the standard forms stultifying, and/or not especially relevant. Some of these books are more than just self-help how-to's and contain some very good material for seekers, as well as adding a dimension for those to whom the church has always been a source of strength. Here's a small sample:
Church: Why Bother? My Personal Pilgrimage. by Philip Yancy. Zondervan, 1998. 112 pages, hardcover $12.95.
A few of our readers have asked why I have not written about more of Yancy's books. They are very popular on their own and word of mouth has given them a pretty high profile. But since this one fits our theme this issue, I decided to list it. It's a clear, honest look at the church as it is today, at Yancy's own reconciliation with it, and what a future church could look like.
Bright Evening Star: Mystery of The Incarnation. by Madeleine L'Engle. Harold Shaw Publishers, 1998. 165 pages, hardcover $17.95.
I'm sure some will choose this book simply because it's by Madeleine L'Engle. And what a treat it is! Essentially, it's the story of her own spiritual journey and her utter joy in discovering and rediscovering Jesus -- in the wonders of science, in the stars, in holy places, hurting places, ordinary places. A whole vista of her perspectives is laid out for our enjoyment and wonder -- and some serious pondering.
Amazing Grace; a Vocabulary of Faith. by Kathleen Norris. Riverhead Books (Penguin Putnam) 1998. 385 pages, hardcover $24.95.
This is getting plenty of publicity in the popular markets and perhaps the reason is self-evident, aside from the fact that Norris is an excellent writer. It's a guide through the lexicon of "religious" words for those unfamiliar with terms of church language and a reassessment for those to whom those same words have become so familiar we don't pay attention to them any more.
A Passion For God's Reign: Theology, Christian Learning And The Christian Self. by Jürgen Moltmann, Nicholas Wolterstorif and Ellen T. Charry. Eerdman's, 1998. 120 pages, paper $12.00.
A thoroughly scholarly book for those who are having difficulty reconciling the evidence of evil and decadence in the world with a belief in a loving or interested God. Three of the most respected Christian theologian's of our age discuss the relationship between Christianity and modern world culture.
Religious Mystery and Rational Reflection. by Louis Dupré. Eerdman's, 1998. 159 pages, paper $20.00.
To a populace that seems to want rational reasoning for everything today this scholarly series of essays is a clear and thoughtful resource. It covers the variety of religious experiences and expressions, and of the place of these experiences, of religion, ritual and symbolism in today's ever increasingly "secular" society. Dupré is Professor of Philosophy of Religion at Yale University and an articulate spokesperson.
Editor's note: In the last issue (Summer 1998), Raymond Borchers was incorrectly identified as the source for the book, How To Be a Perfect Stranger. Instead, he was the author of the short review on Marcus Borg's book, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time. Our apologies for the mix-up.