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To Believe in Jesus
This bestselling author writes here about contemplation and the life of prayer. †
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1978
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197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 29, 2024
114 pages of Sr Ruth Burrows roasting me. Highly recommend!
“[God] needs no winning. He only wants the chance to be good to us and that depends on our reality. If we are dodging behind this or that, pretending to be other than we are, trying to achieve sentiments we don’t have, trying to reach elevated thoughts, then we are not there, we have put a puppet in our place, and God cannot give himself to unreality”
“[God] needs no winning. He only wants the chance to be good to us and that depends on our reality. If we are dodging behind this or that, pretending to be other than we are, trying to achieve sentiments we don’t have, trying to reach elevated thoughts, then we are not there, we have put a puppet in our place, and God cannot give himself to unreality”
May 7, 2024
Read this and be exposed to all of the selfish reasons why you follow Christ that have nothing to do with true faith.
I was recommended this after asking around about Carmelite Spirituality. They seem to be doing something right with the interior life given some of their alumni.
I was recommended this after asking around about Carmelite Spirituality. They seem to be doing something right with the interior life given some of their alumni.
April 27, 2021
GAME. CHANGER. Sr. Ruth cuts deep by explaining the reality of what it truly means to believe in Jesus. If you think you’re a devout Catholic/Christian, think again. This book is extremely provocative and challenges you to see the truth of yourself and your relationship with Jesus. Not for people that recently had conversions but for those who have been living faithfully for a long time. I will forever recommend people to read this book!!!
July 7, 2024
Fire!! Heat heat flame!
July 16, 2012
This is an extraordinary book.
Burrows, a Carmelite sister who lives in England, starts with the notion that true faith in Jesus is rare, even among religious Christians who profess to be spiritual. Instead of real faith, people adopt practices that satisfy their own need to feel spiritual.
Burrow’s tough remedy is to acknowledge the soul’s inability to attain holiness through its own efforts ; holiness is a gift from God. What we can do is ask for it and prepare to receive it. Ah, but the preparation can be excruciating, as we strip away the devices, religious and otherwise, that we use to hide our selfishness from ourselves, and get about the serious business of obedience to God and love for Him and our neighbors. The journey can be brutal. It is the straight and narrow path that leads to Calvary.
Burrows is steeped in the beauty of Carmelite spirituality, which is mystical and practical at once. She is tough minded, yet compassionate. This book is a wonderful alternative to the do-whatever-feels-right nonsense that poses as “spirituality” in some contemporary books.
Burrows, a Carmelite sister who lives in England, starts with the notion that true faith in Jesus is rare, even among religious Christians who profess to be spiritual. Instead of real faith, people adopt practices that satisfy their own need to feel spiritual.
Burrow’s tough remedy is to acknowledge the soul’s inability to attain holiness through its own efforts ; holiness is a gift from God. What we can do is ask for it and prepare to receive it. Ah, but the preparation can be excruciating, as we strip away the devices, religious and otherwise, that we use to hide our selfishness from ourselves, and get about the serious business of obedience to God and love for Him and our neighbors. The journey can be brutal. It is the straight and narrow path that leads to Calvary.
Burrows is steeped in the beauty of Carmelite spirituality, which is mystical and practical at once. She is tough minded, yet compassionate. This book is a wonderful alternative to the do-whatever-feels-right nonsense that poses as “spirituality” in some contemporary books.
September 14, 2023
An excellent book. She pushes the boundaries a bit on some teachings that are borderline unorthodox, but it’s only a couple of times. A game changer for my spiritual life. Highly recommend.
July 7, 2023
Provocative, bold, ruthless. Sr. Ruth Burrows wastes no time getting to the real stuff and reintroduces the question “Do we actually believe in the Son of Man?” She addresses the idea that we have of Jesus in our heads, who He really is, and what that means for us. When I say it took me 6 months to read, I mean it. Hanging on every single word- each new chapter felt like a gut wrenching reality check and I will revisit that feeling for the rest of my life. Stirred real conversion but it’s not for the faint of heart. As a wise man (Fr. Angelus) once said on the work of Sr. Ruth: “that’s my [spiritual] girlfriend.”
April 12, 2023
This book changed a lot for me. I wish I could explain more on how, but I read it and things changed.
October 9, 2024
this little book was very hard to read despite being simple and clear. sr. burrows convicts with every sentence. essential.
June 9, 2022
Repays a second visit.
January 25, 2019
I’ve determined to clear space on my shelves, to remove the dust off books that have remained untouched, pages unturned. As a result I discovered this book by Ruth. A very honest account of the catholic faith. I would not have read material of the catholic faith had I not accidentally obtained and sat it on my shelf all these years. I read it with an err of caution as I do not subscribe to this dogma of faith. I must admit I was really challenged by the honesty of the book, felt it was a opportunity while reading to pause over and over and reflect on the challenge to really dig deep and examine my faith, what I believe and why I believe in Jesus. Is my relationship superficial or marginal. I’m impressed by Ruth’s clairvoyant understanding of God. As more of a Presbyterian I am at odds with some of the thoughts shared but more than satisfied with what I was able to glean.
March 15, 2021
This may be THE most spiritually defining book of my life. Burrows posits all the thoughts on spirituality I’ve been thinking in clear, thoughtful ways.
Ideas of Heaven and Hell being states of being in relation to our free will, how our calls may look completely different (and gasp! Maybe even sinful!) to one another, how to keep your eyes on your own paper when it comes to holiness, how purgatory is a second chance to work on things, how judgment isn’t really God striking you down to the pits of despair and is actually more like is choosing our selfishness over Him (an act of generosity and respect of free will), how traditionally holy constructs can actually hinder holiness.... it’s all here. It’s all wonderfully said. It’s a super freeing way to look at spirituality and faith. In my mind, this is the antithesis of Americanized Christianity today. I adore it so much.
Ideas of Heaven and Hell being states of being in relation to our free will, how our calls may look completely different (and gasp! Maybe even sinful!) to one another, how to keep your eyes on your own paper when it comes to holiness, how purgatory is a second chance to work on things, how judgment isn’t really God striking you down to the pits of despair and is actually more like is choosing our selfishness over Him (an act of generosity and respect of free will), how traditionally holy constructs can actually hinder holiness.... it’s all here. It’s all wonderfully said. It’s a super freeing way to look at spirituality and faith. In my mind, this is the antithesis of Americanized Christianity today. I adore it so much.
February 9, 2024
Sister Ruth passed away last year (2023) while I was reading her autobiography, and her story impacted me deeply. Picking up this book by her afterwards was like hearing advice from a close friend; advice that turns vanity and perfectionism on their (ugly) heads.
Spoiler: humility and death in Christ's death is the only way to true faith, holiness, and life. Real spiritual surrender, not easy, but the sine qua non of sanctity.
Spoiler: humility and death in Christ's death is the only way to true faith, holiness, and life. Real spiritual surrender, not easy, but the sine qua non of sanctity.
October 24, 2023
This was very accessible. I’ve tried to read other books on prayer and Christian life, and this is one of the few that made sense. It’s short and you can read it within a few days. It didn’t make me feel beat-up on like some other spiritual works. Like CS Lewis, she was good at explaining things.
September 15, 2018
YES! YES! YES! Sr. Ruth GETS IT!
February 14, 2020
Best book on faith ever. Real. Nothing fake or fluffy.
November 13, 2021
Difícil. Para volver sobre él
June 15, 2022
beautiful
May 15, 2024
Love is always a leap of faith. We can't wait for it to be pretty and neat- she makes faith in God seem raw and almost gruesome. In a way that makes you want the real thing
June 25, 2014
Ruth Burrows gives a penetrating and starkly honest critique on the common misapprehension of what faith entails among religious and spiritual-minded people. Her analysis is disturbingly accurate and very powerful for anyone sincerely seeking to have true faith in Jesus. Read this book only if you are prepared to commit to discipleship, otherwise it would be difficult to appreciate its full value!
August 16, 2016
Where has this book been all my life? Having finished it, I immediately want to pick it up and start @ the beginning. Hopefully this wise woman's counsel will guide my steps as a disciple of Jesus the rest of my life.
July 28, 2014
Stunning and convicting.
June 20, 2023
Tremendous book.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews