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Simple Faith: Moving Beyond Religion as You Know It to Grow in Your Relationship with God
For many people, faith is based on creeds, doctrine, and head knowledge. It's about mastering the "facts" and having the "right" answers. But best-selling author Margaret Silf believes that faith is not about mastery but about mystery, and that living in that mystery allows us to properly shift our focus from religion to relationship - a relationship with the Divine.
In Simple Faith , Silf encourages us to rethink many of the teachings on faith that may be holding us back from the joy and freedom that can be found only in a meaningful experience of God. Through her thought-provoking, even surprising, answers to common questions about faith—Is it true that God is love? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why did Jesus have to die?&mash;she advocates radically simple yet profound beliefs that are based in a new, liberating understanding of faith itself.
Ultimately, Simple Faith , moves us beyond the complexities of conventional religion and clears the path for us to grow in a life-changing relationship with God.
In Simple Faith , Silf encourages us to rethink many of the teachings on faith that may be holding us back from the joy and freedom that can be found only in a meaningful experience of God. Through her thought-provoking, even surprising, answers to common questions about faith—Is it true that God is love? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why did Jesus have to die?&mash;she advocates radically simple yet profound beliefs that are based in a new, liberating understanding of faith itself.
Ultimately, Simple Faith , moves us beyond the complexities of conventional religion and clears the path for us to grow in a life-changing relationship with God.
- GenresSpirituality
80 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
7 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 8, 2022
Great little book looking at faith without religion. Definitely recommend it.
June 21, 2023
Lots of good stuff in this tiny little book.
January 27, 2016
For a short book with a plain title, Simple Faith poses some tough questions and supplies many profound answers.
Its author, Margaret Silf, opens by asking Who is God for Me? Subsequent chapters raise similarly difficult questions such as Does Life Have Any Meaning? and What is My Life’s Center?
In response to the first question, Silf concedes that we are incapable of understanding fully the nature of God. God is “a mystery much deeper than human hearts can fathom”. However, she then lists several ways that God reveals “Godself” to us – through scripture, creation, the lives of saintly people, and every day events and relationships.
Silf’s answer to the meaning of life should inspire every person of faith: Each of us “can personally help nudge the human family a little bit closer to God’s dream of shalom.” In other words, the small decisions and actions of our lives do carry significance and will make a difference. As for one’s core, it is “the deeper center of gravity we call God” rather than self-interest.
Simple Faith also answers the questions Who is Jesus and How should we follow Him? Through his life and death, Jesus is “the fullness of God’s love”, and following Him means journeying in “the way of Love”.
I particularly like the advice offered in this book about how we should pray. Our prayer life should involve daily reflection on the personal significance of passages from scripture (lectio divina) and on those experiences which trigger strong reactions in us – both positive and negative.
For me though, the most probing question in this little book of many challenging questions is one near the end – How will I spend my time, and who with? Simple Faith tells us that “faith is as faith does” – that is, that we must show our faith through altruistic actions. It also reminds us that while faith is a personal journey, it must also be “a community matter”, lived out through our relationships with others.
Its author, Margaret Silf, opens by asking Who is God for Me? Subsequent chapters raise similarly difficult questions such as Does Life Have Any Meaning? and What is My Life’s Center?
In response to the first question, Silf concedes that we are incapable of understanding fully the nature of God. God is “a mystery much deeper than human hearts can fathom”. However, she then lists several ways that God reveals “Godself” to us – through scripture, creation, the lives of saintly people, and every day events and relationships.
Silf’s answer to the meaning of life should inspire every person of faith: Each of us “can personally help nudge the human family a little bit closer to God’s dream of shalom.” In other words, the small decisions and actions of our lives do carry significance and will make a difference. As for one’s core, it is “the deeper center of gravity we call God” rather than self-interest.
Simple Faith also answers the questions Who is Jesus and How should we follow Him? Through his life and death, Jesus is “the fullness of God’s love”, and following Him means journeying in “the way of Love”.
I particularly like the advice offered in this book about how we should pray. Our prayer life should involve daily reflection on the personal significance of passages from scripture (lectio divina) and on those experiences which trigger strong reactions in us – both positive and negative.
For me though, the most probing question in this little book of many challenging questions is one near the end – How will I spend my time, and who with? Simple Faith tells us that “faith is as faith does” – that is, that we must show our faith through altruistic actions. It also reminds us that while faith is a personal journey, it must also be “a community matter”, lived out through our relationships with others.
September 1, 2012
It is said that big things come in small packages and this is certainly true about this little gem of a book. Written in the format of a daily or weekly devotion, Silf packs a great deal of thought and prayer into a few pages.
June 26, 2013
A nice challenge to think beyond the creed and what it means to follow the path of Jesus. While only 64 pages it is not a "quick" read but rather a "deep" read. As a former Pastor used to say, "You can think about it!"
December 28, 2012
an easy read simplying basic Christian beliefs. Interesting perspectivies and thoughts to ponder.
May 25, 2013
A simple read BUT a very powerful message.
September 17, 2021
Simple refections. Beautiful!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews