28 March, 2024

When Faith Is a Struggle: Find This Book and Read It! (Part 3)

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by | 9 October, 2012 | 1 comment

By Randy Gariss

 

Disappointment with God
Philip Yancey
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988

Reaching for the Invisible God
Philip Yancey
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000 

A Skeptic”s Guide to Faith (previously titled Rumors of Another World)
Philip Yancey
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009

Struggling with faith? Keep Philip Yancey”s works close.

In my opinion, you can never go wrong by recommending a Philip Yancey book. From the mid-1970s, his writings have made a dramatic mark on the Christian landscape with more than 15 million of his books currently in circulation. His writings are varied, but the genius of his work probably has to do with his sympathy and helpfulness to those struggling with faith.

Among the 20 primary books he has written, this trio about struggling faith stands out for me: Disappointment with God, Reaching for the Invisible God, and A Skeptic”s Guide to Faith. Every time I have recommended these books to an individual, they have ultimately responded with sincere gratitude for the experience.

Faith is relatively easy for some individuals; believing in God and sensing his hand on their life seems very normal and obvious to them. But for many others, faith is a costly and difficult choice. They struggle with doubts, and they constantly know the feelings that teeter on the edge of unbelief and heresy.

Some people attend church and worship and serve, but wonder what is wrong with them; they see “living color” faith in Christians all around them, but theirs remains a dull shade of gray. They live their life in the church, but on the “other side of the glass,” never quite able to join everyone else in the exhilaration of it all.

Others, who are not part of your congregation, know there is “something” in the church, but their doubts and questions imprison them and there seems to be no escape.

I recently received an e-mail from a friend who has long been living in the shadow land of faith. The note was simple and short: “Yancey”s book made a great difference. I see things much more clearly. Thank you!” He had borrowed my copy of A Skeptic”s Guide to Faith. Like countless others before him, in sitting down with Yancey, he found a kindred spirit who was able to sympathize; Yancey helped escort him to a different place where the wonder of God was easier for him to see.

Perhaps that is Yancey”s greatest contribution””he is a struggler who shows others the glory of God.

 

Randy Gariss is preaching minister at College Heights Christian Church in Joplin, Missouri, and a CHRISTIAN STANDARD contributing editor.

 

1 Comment

  1. kd

    thanks for sharing I can’t agree.more

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