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Be Not Afraid: Facing Fear with Faith by Samuel Wells
Look deep into the questions of your life and deep into the heart of there is no need to be afraid.In Be Not Afraid, preacher and ethicist Samuel Wells compassionately explores topics we are often reluctant to face—death, weakness, power, difference, faith, living life to the full—and offers down-to-earth help in overcoming common fears in the life of faith.
"A modern day C. S. Lewis, Sam Wells draws us closer to God's story of eternal love in Be Not Afraid. At times bracing, at other times funny, his words plumb the dark depths of despair and offer hope without triviality, correction without cruelty. This book is a witty, vulnerable, challenging delight, a perfect bedtime companion in dark nights of the soul and a worthy friend when the lights come back on."—Lillian Daniel, coauthor of This Odd and Wondrous The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers; contributing editor at Leadership "In this book of reflections, Samuel Wells makes profound theological insight and artful language seem effortless. Each essay is a gem, the product of deep thought and the wordsmith's craft. This book is so directly addressed to the reader's heart and mind, so precisely on target about the fears that ensnare us, that Wells comes across not as a distant thinker but as a wise, understanding, and compassionate friend."—Thomas G. Long, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
"Sam Wells has given us good medicine in this book that both diagnoses the fears of our times and offers the remedy of the gospel. In these engaging and wise essays, Wells addresses not only our fear of death but also our fear of life in all its messy complexity. With a deft mix of storytelling, biblical interpretation, and theological reflection, Wells assiduously tells us the truth about the world—a truth we can face because the way beyond fear is not through denial but through patience, hope, and courage. This is a timely and much-needed book for a church tempted to make self-protection more important than discipleship."—Scott Bader-Saye, Seminary of the Southwest
"A modern day C. S. Lewis, Sam Wells draws us closer to God's story of eternal love in Be Not Afraid. At times bracing, at other times funny, his words plumb the dark depths of despair and offer hope without triviality, correction without cruelty. This book is a witty, vulnerable, challenging delight, a perfect bedtime companion in dark nights of the soul and a worthy friend when the lights come back on."—Lillian Daniel, coauthor of This Odd and Wondrous The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers; contributing editor at Leadership "In this book of reflections, Samuel Wells makes profound theological insight and artful language seem effortless. Each essay is a gem, the product of deep thought and the wordsmith's craft. This book is so directly addressed to the reader's heart and mind, so precisely on target about the fears that ensnare us, that Wells comes across not as a distant thinker but as a wise, understanding, and compassionate friend."—Thomas G. Long, Candler School of Theology, Emory University
"Sam Wells has given us good medicine in this book that both diagnoses the fears of our times and offers the remedy of the gospel. In these engaging and wise essays, Wells addresses not only our fear of death but also our fear of life in all its messy complexity. With a deft mix of storytelling, biblical interpretation, and theological reflection, Wells assiduously tells us the truth about the world—a truth we can face because the way beyond fear is not through denial but through patience, hope, and courage. This is a timely and much-needed book for a church tempted to make self-protection more important than discipleship."—Scott Bader-Saye, Seminary of the Southwest
Paperback
First published November 1, 2011
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About the author
Samuel Wells
137 books46 followersSamuel Wells (PhD, University of Durham) is vicar of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Anglican Church at Trafalgar Square in London. He previously served as dean of the chapel and research professor of Christian ethics at Duke University. Wells is the author of several books, including Be Not Afraid, Improvisation: The Drama of Christian Ethics, and Transforming Fate into Destiny: The Theological Ethics of Stanley Hauerwas. He also coedited, with Stanley Hauerwas, The Blackwell Companion to Christian Ethics.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 31, 2025
Leerzaam, maar ingewikkeld theologisch boek. Sommige hoofdstukken heb ik diagonaal gelezen.
August 9, 2014
Most of the fears that plague us are, fortunately, more mundane than a celestial visitation. Or is it fortunate, after all? In taking our fears for granted, we may miss the message they carry to our hearts, for fear is revelatory, churning our soul and our stomach until we discover what we value.
[Fear] is an emotion that identifies what we love. The quickest way to discover what or whom someone loves is to find out what they are afraid of. We fear because we don’t want to lose what we love. We fear intensely when we love intensely . . .
With this in mind, Samuel Wells takes aim for the places in us where fear abides. Gut, head, heart, and hand — these are the targets for Samuel Wells’ reflections on overcoming fear.
Wells sets his sites on six huge nemeses that keep us awake at night (death, weakness, power, difference, faith, and life itself), and then chisels away at them in essays that are both incisive and surprising. His connections between the Bible and life inspire a simultaneous “Wow” and “Of course!” For instance, having loved Francis Thompson’s Hound of Heaven since college days, and having taught Jesus’ parables of the lost coin and the lost sheep countless times, how have I missed putting them together?
God is the hound of heaven who searches us out and knows us; God in Christ is the good shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to come and find us; God in Christ is the women who cared so much that she set everything aside to find us . . . Faith is not a heroic journey: faith is the acceptance of being found.
With an eye for detail balanced by an ability to see Scripture as a whole, Wells crisscrosses between the testaments ( Red Sea crossing to Jesus’ baptism); points out startling similarities between biblical narratives (“If you are the Son of God . . .” was hurled at Jesus in His temptation as well as on the cross); and skewers his reader with theological concepts that are practical and convicting (“The Trinity isn’t a support structure for the Father to be the star.”)
Samuel Wells develops his arguments with a writing style that is as methodical as an equation and as poetic as the gospel. The progression of thought in his view of healing as the “sandwich filling” between salvation and eternal life occupied my mind for an afternoon on a riding lawn mower.
With humor that is really more a crooked smile than a chuckle, he quotes C.S. Lewis, referring to him simply as “one Irish writer,” and laments the lack of dentists and deodorant in first century Palestine. Many evangelicals will find that when Wells uses the term “baptism,” we would use the term “salvation,” (and he makes the connection himself in his chapter called “Born Again”), but based on Chapter 21, Wells would say that we should not fear that difference.
Fearless, the author takes on the language of “Father,” challenges us to shed the “cloak” of status, and invites the body of Christ to use the language of lament to look squarely into the sadness of AIDS. Most practically, the three words, “Can We Talk,” will go with me as a bridge into my next confrontational conversation. Most unforgettably, the author brings the journalist’s “Five W’s” into Isaiah 43 to address the “profound and justified fears that can bring us to our knees: death, pain, guilt and isolation.”
I recommend a slow and thoughtful reading of Be Not Afraid, although you will be tempted to take it on in great gulps. Since Wells has presented it in thirty-one chapters, a chapter a day for a month would be delightful. And life-changing.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers http://www.bakerbooks.com/bakerbooksb... program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa....
[Fear] is an emotion that identifies what we love. The quickest way to discover what or whom someone loves is to find out what they are afraid of. We fear because we don’t want to lose what we love. We fear intensely when we love intensely . . .
With this in mind, Samuel Wells takes aim for the places in us where fear abides. Gut, head, heart, and hand — these are the targets for Samuel Wells’ reflections on overcoming fear.
Wells sets his sites on six huge nemeses that keep us awake at night (death, weakness, power, difference, faith, and life itself), and then chisels away at them in essays that are both incisive and surprising. His connections between the Bible and life inspire a simultaneous “Wow” and “Of course!” For instance, having loved Francis Thompson’s Hound of Heaven since college days, and having taught Jesus’ parables of the lost coin and the lost sheep countless times, how have I missed putting them together?
God is the hound of heaven who searches us out and knows us; God in Christ is the good shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to come and find us; God in Christ is the women who cared so much that she set everything aside to find us . . . Faith is not a heroic journey: faith is the acceptance of being found.
With an eye for detail balanced by an ability to see Scripture as a whole, Wells crisscrosses between the testaments ( Red Sea crossing to Jesus’ baptism); points out startling similarities between biblical narratives (“If you are the Son of God . . .” was hurled at Jesus in His temptation as well as on the cross); and skewers his reader with theological concepts that are practical and convicting (“The Trinity isn’t a support structure for the Father to be the star.”)
Samuel Wells develops his arguments with a writing style that is as methodical as an equation and as poetic as the gospel. The progression of thought in his view of healing as the “sandwich filling” between salvation and eternal life occupied my mind for an afternoon on a riding lawn mower.
With humor that is really more a crooked smile than a chuckle, he quotes C.S. Lewis, referring to him simply as “one Irish writer,” and laments the lack of dentists and deodorant in first century Palestine. Many evangelicals will find that when Wells uses the term “baptism,” we would use the term “salvation,” (and he makes the connection himself in his chapter called “Born Again”), but based on Chapter 21, Wells would say that we should not fear that difference.
Fearless, the author takes on the language of “Father,” challenges us to shed the “cloak” of status, and invites the body of Christ to use the language of lament to look squarely into the sadness of AIDS. Most practically, the three words, “Can We Talk,” will go with me as a bridge into my next confrontational conversation. Most unforgettably, the author brings the journalist’s “Five W’s” into Isaiah 43 to address the “profound and justified fears that can bring us to our knees: death, pain, guilt and isolation.”
I recommend a slow and thoughtful reading of Be Not Afraid, although you will be tempted to take it on in great gulps. Since Wells has presented it in thirty-one chapters, a chapter a day for a month would be delightful. And life-changing.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Bloggers http://www.bakerbooks.com/bakerbooksb... program. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/wa....
September 8, 2021
Expected something really different because of the title and backside of the book. Was dissapointed and didn't get anything useful for fear from the book.
November 19, 2015
I’m very glad I read this collection of sermons (at least I’m pretty sure that’s what it is). It’s an incredibly thoughtful, insightful reading of scripture and insight into life in this world. It is moving. It doesn’t repeat itself. The author does a terrific job of keeping your interest at least in the reading of these essays/sermons.
August 11, 2016
I loved this book. It's a great compilation of essays about fear. It's gritty and real and wise.
May 14, 2012
Easy to read, split up into sections that can be focused on individually. Made great points. Would be good material for a Bible study.
March 12, 2013
Amazing. These are 31 of Rev Dr Well's sermons in written format. No one like him.
March 17, 2013
Similar to Simply Jesus by Wright, I'm not sure if this book was absolutely phenomenal or simply exactly what I needed. I found it to be profoundly insightful and encouraging. An answer to prayer.
September 15, 2016
Gripping
Helpful, like a guide to Christian living, especially on the personal issue of fear. We perhaps even fear living and countless times we are told, "Be not afraid."(
Helpful, like a guide to Christian living, especially on the personal issue of fear. We perhaps even fear living and countless times we are told, "Be not afraid."(
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews