Finding Faith/A Search for What Makes Sense & A Search for What is Real

First published in '99 as Finding Faith: A Self-Discovery Guide for Your Spiritual Quest, this book by Brian McLaren reaches out to people who are seeking faith, or perhaps have faith that seeks understanding. Last year, Zondervan re-released the book in two volumes and a different format under the titles A Search for What makes Sense and A Search for What is Real.

Reading this book is like having a conversation with McLaren, or attending a class with him. McLaren writes very conversationally and peppers his chapters with stories, questions, charts and reflections and thoughtful quotes from classics as well as pop culture. McLaren seeks to offer a new kind of Christian apologetic that embraces both faith and reason. I think his approach would be especially appealing to those who arrive with questions and wonderings about faith.

I could easily see working through this book with a small group, particularly if the group enjoyed sharing their own stories and wrestling with questions. So much of what McLaren posits is based on the God we meet in community. For those who seek similarly, I think these volumes offer much. While I don't agree with every conclusion to which McLaren comes, I deeply respect his contribution to a conversation that brings people together from very different starting places.

"We experienced God in our friendship." p.175

Next: Adventures in Missing the Point