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Faith in the Fog: Believing in What You Cannot See
Keeping your faith burning bright
when all you want to do is burn out In Faith in the Fog , bestselling author Jeff Lucas explores the pain and fear that many Christians feel when walking through a spiritual fog, when doubts about faith undermine the joy of belief. After the Resurrection—when the disciples found themselves on the fog bank of unresolved shame, failure, and confusion—what Jesus did to help them and what he didn’t do is both enlightening and inspirational. Here, you will focus on the person of Jesus and the way he approaches those who are worn out when life is tough. Who Jesus really is—rather than the way we instinctively perceive him emotionally and theologically—is what will make the difference and help clear the fog. Through a broad approach, Faith in the Fog tackles the feelings of failure, uselessness, and shame, which are often the underlying causes of depression and burnout among Christians.
when all you want to do is burn out In Faith in the Fog , bestselling author Jeff Lucas explores the pain and fear that many Christians feel when walking through a spiritual fog, when doubts about faith undermine the joy of belief. After the Resurrection—when the disciples found themselves on the fog bank of unresolved shame, failure, and confusion—what Jesus did to help them and what he didn’t do is both enlightening and inspirational. Here, you will focus on the person of Jesus and the way he approaches those who are worn out when life is tough. Who Jesus really is—rather than the way we instinctively perceive him emotionally and theologically—is what will make the difference and help clear the fog. Through a broad approach, Faith in the Fog tackles the feelings of failure, uselessness, and shame, which are often the underlying causes of depression and burnout among Christians.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2014
23 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Lucas
105 books28 followersJeff Lucas is a Christian author, speaker, life coach, and broadcaster. He holds a pastoral teaching position at Timberline Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. He provides life coaching through Paterson Center. He is a columnist for Premier Christian magazine and for Sorted Magazine he has published 32 books, and he broadcasts a weekly radio show, Lucas on Life. He writes a column of daily bible reading notes, "Lucas on Life Every Day".
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 15, 2013
This review, by Dr. Nicholson, has been provided courtesy of Desert Bible Institute (www.desertbibleinstitute.com).
Of all the possible things for Faith in the Fog to remind me of it is the Composition classes that I teach. Where it particularly becomes obvious is when my classes start to delve into basic grammar. It seems like every student that comes in has some odd trick or crazy notion on how grammar is supposed to work. I even had my mother call me up once to ask, “What is that trick you told me about that always lets you get grammar right?” Confused I hesitantly responded, “Study and apply it everyday.” This was not the answer she was looking for.
What I realized in reading Jeff Lucas’s book is that Christians can be much the same way about religion. They have heard some clever saying, read some bumper sticker, or skimmed the newest, most popular book and they think they know the “trick” to religion. They then proceed to offer awful advice that is neither biblical nor fruitful. In almost all cases, these pithy, easy answers lead new (and even not-so-new) Christians down a dark path of confusion and disappointment. What is the trick to understanding the Bible? “Study and apply it everyday.”
Even this is too simple by far, but at least it is a step in the right direction. This, along with similar concepts, is what Lucas is exploring in Faith in the Fog. Through a personal narrative that helps the reader understand his trials and triumphs, Lucas is able to share how well-meaning people with a limited understand and application of the Bible can do more harm than good. Moreover, he shows by example, and some biblical reference, how we can become our own worst enemy.
The implication that Lucas creates is that many Christians have bought into a glamorized, Hollywood friendly version of what it means to be one of the faithful. We hear often-embellished stories of spiritual success that seems to demonize the person who is not instantly caught-up. We hear massively over-simplified explanations of topics that scholars having been debating for centuries, and we begin to doubt ourselves and our walk with Christ. Lucas sums this up when he says, “someone asks a question or honestly expresses their struggle with doubt or admits to a concern about doctrine that in turn creates controversy, and the label-pinning begins. Liberal. Doubter. Even heretic.”
What Lucas does well is that he shows that becoming a disciple is a life-long journey. It is sometimes a journey of striving ahead and other times a journey of regression. It is a journey during which we will have friends like Job who offer us well-sounding but ultimately ridiculous advice. More importantly, it is a journey that we make with the Spirit leading us. A journey of prayer, Bible study, thoughtful seeking, and hopefully good teaching. While the journey is rarely easy, we can be comforted by knowing that Christ is there with us, and that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6)
As someone who is also a composition teacher, and not just a theologian, I did have some starts and stops with the book literarily. In some places, the narrative did not flow from idea-to-idea very smoothly leaving me wondering where Lucas was going with his points – sometimes for pages. In other places, his biblical illustrations, while accurate, where somewhat clumsily entered into and extracted from. There were also areas where the reader is given an over-abundance of information that is not strictly pertinent to what is being discussed. I assume this was meant to create a sense of cathartic connection between the reader and the author but it made long sections seem to amble on. Finally, there were areas where Lucas’s wording was a bit stilted and I had to re-read what he wrote, but (to an extent) I am nit-picking. In the arm wrestling contest between the theologian and the writer in me: however, the theologian wins hands down. Lucas has made some very important point and offers some good advice both implicitly and explicitly in his book Faith in the Fog.
Trent Nicholson, Ph.D., D.Min.
Desert Bible Institute, President
Dr. Nicholson reviews academic, Christian living, and fiction books for a variety of publishers in an array of formats. He is never paid for any of his reviews. He writes these strictly as a courtesy to his students at Desert Bible Institute and for any other readers that might find his insights valuable. For more reviews or information, visit Dr. Nicholson’s blog at drtnicholson.wordpress.com.
The book for this review was provided free of charge by Zondervan Non-Fiction through NetGalley.com. This book was provided without the expectation or requirement of a positive response. Thank you to both the publisher and NetGalley.com for the opportunity to both read your advanced copy and to provide this unpaid evaluation. All opinions in this review reflect the views of the author and not DBI, NetGalley.com, or the publisher.
Of all the possible things for Faith in the Fog to remind me of it is the Composition classes that I teach. Where it particularly becomes obvious is when my classes start to delve into basic grammar. It seems like every student that comes in has some odd trick or crazy notion on how grammar is supposed to work. I even had my mother call me up once to ask, “What is that trick you told me about that always lets you get grammar right?” Confused I hesitantly responded, “Study and apply it everyday.” This was not the answer she was looking for.
What I realized in reading Jeff Lucas’s book is that Christians can be much the same way about religion. They have heard some clever saying, read some bumper sticker, or skimmed the newest, most popular book and they think they know the “trick” to religion. They then proceed to offer awful advice that is neither biblical nor fruitful. In almost all cases, these pithy, easy answers lead new (and even not-so-new) Christians down a dark path of confusion and disappointment. What is the trick to understanding the Bible? “Study and apply it everyday.”
Even this is too simple by far, but at least it is a step in the right direction. This, along with similar concepts, is what Lucas is exploring in Faith in the Fog. Through a personal narrative that helps the reader understand his trials and triumphs, Lucas is able to share how well-meaning people with a limited understand and application of the Bible can do more harm than good. Moreover, he shows by example, and some biblical reference, how we can become our own worst enemy.
The implication that Lucas creates is that many Christians have bought into a glamorized, Hollywood friendly version of what it means to be one of the faithful. We hear often-embellished stories of spiritual success that seems to demonize the person who is not instantly caught-up. We hear massively over-simplified explanations of topics that scholars having been debating for centuries, and we begin to doubt ourselves and our walk with Christ. Lucas sums this up when he says, “someone asks a question or honestly expresses their struggle with doubt or admits to a concern about doctrine that in turn creates controversy, and the label-pinning begins. Liberal. Doubter. Even heretic.”
What Lucas does well is that he shows that becoming a disciple is a life-long journey. It is sometimes a journey of striving ahead and other times a journey of regression. It is a journey during which we will have friends like Job who offer us well-sounding but ultimately ridiculous advice. More importantly, it is a journey that we make with the Spirit leading us. A journey of prayer, Bible study, thoughtful seeking, and hopefully good teaching. While the journey is rarely easy, we can be comforted by knowing that Christ is there with us, and that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6)
As someone who is also a composition teacher, and not just a theologian, I did have some starts and stops with the book literarily. In some places, the narrative did not flow from idea-to-idea very smoothly leaving me wondering where Lucas was going with his points – sometimes for pages. In other places, his biblical illustrations, while accurate, where somewhat clumsily entered into and extracted from. There were also areas where the reader is given an over-abundance of information that is not strictly pertinent to what is being discussed. I assume this was meant to create a sense of cathartic connection between the reader and the author but it made long sections seem to amble on. Finally, there were areas where Lucas’s wording was a bit stilted and I had to re-read what he wrote, but (to an extent) I am nit-picking. In the arm wrestling contest between the theologian and the writer in me: however, the theologian wins hands down. Lucas has made some very important point and offers some good advice both implicitly and explicitly in his book Faith in the Fog.
Trent Nicholson, Ph.D., D.Min.
Desert Bible Institute, President
Dr. Nicholson reviews academic, Christian living, and fiction books for a variety of publishers in an array of formats. He is never paid for any of his reviews. He writes these strictly as a courtesy to his students at Desert Bible Institute and for any other readers that might find his insights valuable. For more reviews or information, visit Dr. Nicholson’s blog at drtnicholson.wordpress.com.
The book for this review was provided free of charge by Zondervan Non-Fiction through NetGalley.com. This book was provided without the expectation or requirement of a positive response. Thank you to both the publisher and NetGalley.com for the opportunity to both read your advanced copy and to provide this unpaid evaluation. All opinions in this review reflect the views of the author and not DBI, NetGalley.com, or the publisher.
December 2, 2013
Faith in the Fog: Believing in What You Cannot See was a very interesting book, to say the least. It presented many considerations as it relates to being a Christ follower. Not only did the author discuss his personal struggles and past-to-present faith journey, he also discussed some of the common yet confusing beliefs held by the Christian community. Additionally, he made it a point to discuss the story and experiences of Peter.
If I had to identify the primary themes of this book or list the learning points as I saw them, they would fall under the following:
1) Learning How to Move Past a Seemingly Unpardonable Sin
2) Learning How to Overcome Depression
3) Learning How to Accept God's Love and Grace
4) Learning How to Endure in the Face of Personal Struggle
5) Learning How to Discern Truth from Untruths
6) Learning How to Surrender to the Holy Spirit
7) Learning How to Appreciate the Kingdom of God
Filled with Scriptural references, inspirational quotes, and historical gems, this book offered a unique perspective.
While Mr. Lucas did pen several notable remarks, I cannot say that I agreed with them all. What I can say, quite honestly, is that his writing captured my attention, held it, and made me consider some things. That says a lot.
I would recommend this book to others, however, I would share that it is one man's thoughts and beliefs on this thing called faith.
Rating: 3.75 Stars
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The words I have expressed are my own. I was not required to submit a positive review.
If I had to identify the primary themes of this book or list the learning points as I saw them, they would fall under the following:
1) Learning How to Move Past a Seemingly Unpardonable Sin
2) Learning How to Overcome Depression
3) Learning How to Accept God's Love and Grace
4) Learning How to Endure in the Face of Personal Struggle
5) Learning How to Discern Truth from Untruths
6) Learning How to Surrender to the Holy Spirit
7) Learning How to Appreciate the Kingdom of God
Filled with Scriptural references, inspirational quotes, and historical gems, this book offered a unique perspective.
While Mr. Lucas did pen several notable remarks, I cannot say that I agreed with them all. What I can say, quite honestly, is that his writing captured my attention, held it, and made me consider some things. That says a lot.
I would recommend this book to others, however, I would share that it is one man's thoughts and beliefs on this thing called faith.
Rating: 3.75 Stars
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The words I have expressed are my own. I was not required to submit a positive review.
September 13, 2019
This book was a blessing in a difficult season for me, a dark night of the soul. It is easy to read, laugh out loud funny and chock full of truth!
For me, the highlight might very well be Chapter 3: Behold, I Come Quietly. I had lost my bookmark and thought that I had left off in chapter 3 because it wasn't marked up. I read that chapter and it spoke so deeply to me.
"There are some lessons that are only learned when God apparently steps back, allowing us to struggle through. But knowing that school might be in session doesn't change the fact that feeling abandoned is a cold, dark and lonely experience." (pg 77)
I knew that God was allowing the death of my brother, following an already rough year, to refine me. These words were exactly how I felt. As for losing my place in the book, I was really in Chapter 7, but the Holy Spirit made sure I got back to Chapter 3 for another go-round. I had certainly read this story of Jesus serving breakfast to his friends but I had never thought about the fact that He did so after a long night of hard work and failure. Lucas points us to many stories where this same thing happens of someone being allowed to struggle on before God intervenes. Jesus on the cross crying, "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me," is the most famous of them all. If Jesus suffered than so should we. More than a decade ago I said good-bye to a bad marriage. So hard to live with that truth when I had been raised thinking that "I can do all things through Christ." By no means do I want to focus on all of the negative, and I don't think Lucas would want me to. But it's refreshing to hear that it's normal and even to be expected that we will go through tough times and this book helps those times make sense.
"And even those who are dubbed saints, icons of passionate commitment to Christ at great personal cost, are not exempt from seasons when they feel abandoned by or distant from God." (pg 81)
"We've been wonderfully ruined, treated to a vision of the kingdom of God. We've heard the melody of the good news, so the music of mere survival would from then on be a monotonous done, however hard following Jesus might be at times." (pg. 148)
This book told me that my struggles were not an indication of my failure but of God molding me, that I was in good company and that God doesn't want to leave me where I am when He knows I can be more, do more for Him.
I have read a few other Lucas writings. He is always beautifully transparent and makes the Bible seem closer and more real by painting verbal pictures of scripture for us that help the reader to better understand the historical and spiritual context of the Word of God.
For me, the highlight might very well be Chapter 3: Behold, I Come Quietly. I had lost my bookmark and thought that I had left off in chapter 3 because it wasn't marked up. I read that chapter and it spoke so deeply to me.
"There are some lessons that are only learned when God apparently steps back, allowing us to struggle through. But knowing that school might be in session doesn't change the fact that feeling abandoned is a cold, dark and lonely experience." (pg 77)
I knew that God was allowing the death of my brother, following an already rough year, to refine me. These words were exactly how I felt. As for losing my place in the book, I was really in Chapter 7, but the Holy Spirit made sure I got back to Chapter 3 for another go-round. I had certainly read this story of Jesus serving breakfast to his friends but I had never thought about the fact that He did so after a long night of hard work and failure. Lucas points us to many stories where this same thing happens of someone being allowed to struggle on before God intervenes. Jesus on the cross crying, "my God, my God, why have you forsaken me," is the most famous of them all. If Jesus suffered than so should we. More than a decade ago I said good-bye to a bad marriage. So hard to live with that truth when I had been raised thinking that "I can do all things through Christ." By no means do I want to focus on all of the negative, and I don't think Lucas would want me to. But it's refreshing to hear that it's normal and even to be expected that we will go through tough times and this book helps those times make sense.
"And even those who are dubbed saints, icons of passionate commitment to Christ at great personal cost, are not exempt from seasons when they feel abandoned by or distant from God." (pg 81)
"We've been wonderfully ruined, treated to a vision of the kingdom of God. We've heard the melody of the good news, so the music of mere survival would from then on be a monotonous done, however hard following Jesus might be at times." (pg. 148)
This book told me that my struggles were not an indication of my failure but of God molding me, that I was in good company and that God doesn't want to leave me where I am when He knows I can be more, do more for Him.
I have read a few other Lucas writings. He is always beautifully transparent and makes the Bible seem closer and more real by painting verbal pictures of scripture for us that help the reader to better understand the historical and spiritual context of the Word of God.
September 9, 2023
Great book focusing on the meal Jesus makes for the disciples on the beach (bread and fish) after he’s resurrected.
It’s one of my favourite parts of the Bible and Lucas explains it so well, while exploring different topics and themes it raises such as mental health, trust and grace.
Lucas’s writing is so refreshingly honest and candid; compared to a lot of Christian books I’ve read, he’s not afraid of being open or talking about his faults/struggles.
Definitely recommend
It’s one of my favourite parts of the Bible and Lucas explains it so well, while exploring different topics and themes it raises such as mental health, trust and grace.
Lucas’s writing is so refreshingly honest and candid; compared to a lot of Christian books I’ve read, he’s not afraid of being open or talking about his faults/struggles.
Definitely recommend
January 4, 2024
Just what I needed. How to keep believing when I don’t really know what it is I believe. Loved the exploration of this one scene of Jesus’ appearance on the shore of lake Galilee after his resurrection. The emotional deconstruction of the disciples. Spiritually significant for me right now. Giving up on the church and expecting to be let down or offended is not particularly original or mature.
July 15, 2023
A book of unconventional wisdom, Faith in the Fog invites us to have a questioning, even doubting faith. Because faith that hasn’t been tested is no faith at all. Choosing to believe despite the unsettling not knowing and not understanding—this IS faith.
January 2, 2022
Christian faith based book, looking at when Jesus cooked breakfast for His followers. Really helpful , easy read to encourage trust in God with some humour moments too.
February 18, 2014
Jeff Lucas has the uncanny ability to get inside my head and say exactly what I’m thinking. When reading Faith in the Fog I found myself alternately nodding my head vigorously at the page and then laughing out loud. Although this is a thoughtful commentary on the famous breakfast described in John 21, Lucas pulls no punches in describing the many things wrong with the church today which lead to everyone from the new convert to established church leaders feeling condemned, lost and unworthy – in the ‘fog’ as Lucas puts it.
Yet, not once, does this author preach from the pulpit and his love for the body of Christ is evident in every chapter. Instead he attacks the issues the same way he has in all his books – through admitting his own failings and his own mistakes. Lucas invites us to laugh along with him while learning from his screw-ups at the same time. An excellent introduction to a Gospel passage often passed over as, perhaps, a little odd and unknowable, Faith in the Fog is for anyone who feels an outsider at times in the church. This is not the moans and groans of a cynical church leader; instead Faith in the Fog is full of joy and hope in the midst of ‘nonsense’ which passes as Christian wisdom, bringing us back to Jesus and his relationship with Peter the ‘failure’.
A must-read for all who wonder, like Lucas, what happened to their first love for Christ and where to go from here.
Yet, not once, does this author preach from the pulpit and his love for the body of Christ is evident in every chapter. Instead he attacks the issues the same way he has in all his books – through admitting his own failings and his own mistakes. Lucas invites us to laugh along with him while learning from his screw-ups at the same time. An excellent introduction to a Gospel passage often passed over as, perhaps, a little odd and unknowable, Faith in the Fog is for anyone who feels an outsider at times in the church. This is not the moans and groans of a cynical church leader; instead Faith in the Fog is full of joy and hope in the midst of ‘nonsense’ which passes as Christian wisdom, bringing us back to Jesus and his relationship with Peter the ‘failure’.
A must-read for all who wonder, like Lucas, what happened to their first love for Christ and where to go from here.
April 1, 2025
The book is a study on John chapter 21: the passage of the Bible where the resurrected Jesus sees some of the disciples after a fruitless night of fishing. He cooks breakfast for them, and has an important chat with Peter.
With a mixture of anecdotes, told in his usual self-deprecating style, questions and suggestions, the author makes some excellent points about faith and the Christian life. He gives some historical and cultural background as he ponders different parts of the passage, introducing ideas that made so much more sense than most analytical discussions of this passage.
There are no definitive answers given. One of the refreshing things about Jeff Lucas is that he does not try to push any agenda on his readers. Instead, he invites them to think through the disciples' motivations, and see their humanity. However, he gives some tremendous insights into what might have been going on in the minds of these weary disciples.
The author also talks about some of his own insecurities and worries, many of which resonated strongly with me. All in all, I thought it an excellent book, and was sorry to reach the end. I would recommend it highly to anyone, particularly those who might feel as if they’re ploughing through the Christian life, sometimes, rather than coasting.
Highly recommended.
Latest longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
With a mixture of anecdotes, told in his usual self-deprecating style, questions and suggestions, the author makes some excellent points about faith and the Christian life. He gives some historical and cultural background as he ponders different parts of the passage, introducing ideas that made so much more sense than most analytical discussions of this passage.
There are no definitive answers given. One of the refreshing things about Jeff Lucas is that he does not try to push any agenda on his readers. Instead, he invites them to think through the disciples' motivations, and see their humanity. However, he gives some tremendous insights into what might have been going on in the minds of these weary disciples.
The author also talks about some of his own insecurities and worries, many of which resonated strongly with me. All in all, I thought it an excellent book, and was sorry to reach the end. I would recommend it highly to anyone, particularly those who might feel as if they’re ploughing through the Christian life, sometimes, rather than coasting.
Highly recommended.
Latest longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
July 14, 2014
The author is real and he truly lives. He doesn't hide his life's disappointments and shares the valuable lessons they have taught him. Never wear shorts when attempting to visit the place beside the Sea of Galilee where Jesus would have met with the disciples. Don't immediately think depression is a sign that there's something unholy or wrong with you. Don't think God doesn't answer "small" prayer requests that may even be made more out of fear than trust or belief. You laugh and cry while reading this book...sometimes doing both at the same time. It was like pulling up a chair beside a roaring fire and just listening to the author spill out things that we all need to hear. It was a personal glimpse into the lives of Peter, Jesus and the author, himself, as he came to know both of the characters from the biblical narrative better.
The author even touches the difficult subject of depression. Even more than simply touching it, he picks it up off the shelf and puts it into your hands to observe and consider it's possible sources; some effects of it and what to do if (or more likely: when) we come to find ourselves in it's chilling clutches. The book ended too quickly...but gives a splendid suggested reading list at the very end.
The author even touches the difficult subject of depression. Even more than simply touching it, he picks it up off the shelf and puts it into your hands to observe and consider it's possible sources; some effects of it and what to do if (or more likely: when) we come to find ourselves in it's chilling clutches. The book ended too quickly...but gives a splendid suggested reading list at the very end.
May 22, 2015
I have been a Christian for what feels like my entire life, but have had my struggles with depression and faith. I knew God was there, but yet still felt lost. Those feelings made me feel guilty, which leads to concealing depression. This author expresses his battles with depression, and struggles of being a Christian through it. It's refreshing to know that someone has been where you've been, and see that they got through it. The intertwining story of Jesus' disciples, especially Peter, is also encouraging. Short book, great read. My copy is dog-eared, and highlighted! Imagine this will be a book of reference many times.
April 16, 2016
Great book going through the moment when Jesus appeared to his disciples while they were fishing in the days after His death. It's about how having faith can be difficult. Jeff Lucas is very honest and goes through the bible passage in great detail looking particularly at Peter.
I would have loved it more if there had been a few more humorous moments. Jeff Lucas is known for his humour. This is a very serious book but I wish he'd found a way to inject a few more light hearted moments into the prose.
I would have loved it more if there had been a few more humorous moments. Jeff Lucas is known for his humour. This is a very serious book but I wish he'd found a way to inject a few more light hearted moments into the prose.
June 4, 2016
Yeah, so this book took me a really long time to read. I don't know why. It's a very easy read, written conversationally. The author is one of the pastors at my church and I like him a lot. I liked learning about his early years of Christianity. It didn't change my life or anything, but it was a nice read with some food for thought.
January 2, 2015
An honest, challenging and amusing read. Lucas gives some insight into his own struggles over years with a refreshing honesty while managing to be generous to those across the church who have been too "name it and claim it" for his taste (& mine).
October 27, 2014
This book could not have come at a better time. Mr. Lucas gave voice to many things people in ministry or just believers in general wrestle through. A good read.
April 29, 2015
A good read with some striking and memorable images. On my 'to revisit' list!
August 26, 2020
Good, honest straight talking about faith and depression and keeping going when things are tough. Easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews