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God Lives: ...From Religious Fear to Spiritual Freedom
Looks at the history of the Christian concept of God and tells how to develop a personal relationship with God
244 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1994
10 people want to read
About the author
James Kavanaugh
63 books123 followersJames Kavanaugh was ordained and actively ministered for ten years as a Catholic Priest before attending Catholic University in Washington D.C. Working on his second doctoral degree, he wrote an article for the Saturday Evening Post, entitled, "I am a Priest, and I want to marry." The article questioned the practice of celibacy among priests. The year was 1967, the height of the sexual revolution. Although it was written under a pseudonym and even his closest friends and family were not aware of the author, it was received with such commotion and outrage, the secret would not be kept for long. Jim then exploded onto the American scene with A Modern Priest Looks At His Outdated Church. The New York Times called it "a personal cry of anguish that goes to the heart of the troubles plaguing the Catholic Church." Soon Simon and Schuster came calling with a book deal.
Though a gifted scholar, with degrees in psychology and religious philosophy, James took a leave of absence from the priesthood, packed his VW bug and headed for California to write books. Jim surrendered his priestly collar and doctoral robes to become a gentle revolutionary.
Forty years ago in a decrepit New York residence hotel, Kavanaugh rejected lucrative offers to write what publishers wanted. "Feasting", he laughs, "on bagels, peanut butter, and cheese whiz", he wrote his first poetry book, There Are Men Too Gentle To Live Among Wolves. The book was turned down by a dozen publishers, only to sell over a million copies.
Wayne Dyer captures his power:
"James Kavanaugh is America's poet laureate. His words and ideas touch my soul. I can think of no living person who can put into words what we have all felt so deeply in our inner selves."
A dozen poetry books followed, as well as powerful novels, prose allegory and his best-selling Search, a guide for personal joy and freedom. The rebel priest became the people's poet, singing songs of human struggle, of hope and laughter, of healing that comes from within. James Kavanaugh possesses a charisma that excites audiences with passion and humor. He loves wandering, tennis and trout fishing, the cities and wilderness, people and solitude.
Though a gifted scholar, with degrees in psychology and religious philosophy, James took a leave of absence from the priesthood, packed his VW bug and headed for California to write books. Jim surrendered his priestly collar and doctoral robes to become a gentle revolutionary.
Forty years ago in a decrepit New York residence hotel, Kavanaugh rejected lucrative offers to write what publishers wanted. "Feasting", he laughs, "on bagels, peanut butter, and cheese whiz", he wrote his first poetry book, There Are Men Too Gentle To Live Among Wolves. The book was turned down by a dozen publishers, only to sell over a million copies.
Wayne Dyer captures his power:
"James Kavanaugh is America's poet laureate. His words and ideas touch my soul. I can think of no living person who can put into words what we have all felt so deeply in our inner selves."
A dozen poetry books followed, as well as powerful novels, prose allegory and his best-selling Search, a guide for personal joy and freedom. The rebel priest became the people's poet, singing songs of human struggle, of hope and laughter, of healing that comes from within. James Kavanaugh possesses a charisma that excites audiences with passion and humor. He loves wandering, tennis and trout fishing, the cities and wilderness, people and solitude.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 22, 2013
Kavanaugh is a very prolific author in the spiritual self-help/counselling genre and this is one of his pioneering works from the early 90s. Writing this book he comes across as being of the school "if it seems/feels good, go for it" and "YOU are your own answer." The book has been endorsed by many renowned New Age and New Thought followers.
I wanted to like this book but analytically I discovered its many inconsistencies. The man contradicts himself from one page to another. He is very judgmental of others' reasoning but not of his own, which he considers advanced and lofty. He promotes independence from organized religion but fails to consider that fellowship necessitates organization in all pursuits and interests. He condemns myths but creates his own. He depreciates the marriage institution. He depersonalizes God yet desires a personal God. Etc, etc. There seems to be much anger and hurt underlying Kavanaugh's enlightened liberalism.
To be fair, he offers much that rings true, which can be helpful and constructive. But I found this book to be lacking in direction, often an aimless meandering. It can be emotionally and intellectually frustrating but historically I consider it an interesting post-hippie tome.
I wanted to like this book but analytically I discovered its many inconsistencies. The man contradicts himself from one page to another. He is very judgmental of others' reasoning but not of his own, which he considers advanced and lofty. He promotes independence from organized religion but fails to consider that fellowship necessitates organization in all pursuits and interests. He condemns myths but creates his own. He depreciates the marriage institution. He depersonalizes God yet desires a personal God. Etc, etc. There seems to be much anger and hurt underlying Kavanaugh's enlightened liberalism.
To be fair, he offers much that rings true, which can be helpful and constructive. But I found this book to be lacking in direction, often an aimless meandering. It can be emotionally and intellectually frustrating but historically I consider it an interesting post-hippie tome.
Displaying 1 of 1 review