Pathways to Joy: Notable Atheists and Their Search for Truth

by Frank Lunn

Do you have a loved one who is an atheist ? This author started to write a letter to a loving family member. The letter became this short but compelling work. In simple prose, Frank Lunn describes two life events that led him on a search for joy, peace and contentment. He finds that this elusive goal has been achieved, surprisingly, by notable atheists who have examined not only their lives, but the very meaning of life.


In his research, Lunn encounters the joyful experience of C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia. He then recounts the miracles of grace witnessed by the towering intellect, Malcolm Muggeridge. Further investigations into works by atheists show a singular experience common to all of them. 

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction

142 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2017

About the author

Frank Lunn is a joyful husband, father, father-in-law, and granddad. He is an instrument rated private pilot, and when not flying or talking about flying, trains and competes in triathlons. An outdoor enthusiast, he and his wife, Margaret, spend as much time as life allows in the outdoors, mostly in New Hampshire and Maine.

Reviews

[Maggie MacKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pathways to Joy combines extensive research with an absorbing personal story to create a very readable and compelling case for faith. The book moves from the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, to mathematical evidence for intelligent design in creation. The final chapter becomes philosophical, with a consideration of what it all means for questions of free will, good and evil. It's a very enjoyable and thought-provoking read, likely to launch readers into further researches of their own.

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was reluctant to read a book whose subject was atheism, however what I found was a beautiful, throughly enjoyable and informative book. The author explores the stories of various notable atheists whose search for truth resulted in their conversion to Christianity. Each story is carefully explored and woven into a charming and thought provoking quick read. At a time in our society where atheism is growing to be more of the norm, this book invites its readers to actively examine and test their views. I recommend this book for Christians as it is informative and insightful as well as non-believers as it provides a thorough investigation into the plausibility of Christianity.

[Rhoda · Rating 2 out of 5]

******DISCLAIMER: I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. *******When I received the book in the mail, it was personally signed by the author, and I was so delighted by this - but it doesn't impact the rating. I wanted to rate this one higher but could not. Note that a 2-star rating means the read was okay. There were times when I definitely enjoyed this book (and intended to leave a 3 or 4-star rating), but there were a few things at the end that I was unsure of and which caused me to drop the rating.

In Pathways to Joy, Frank Lunn gives brief glimpses into the lives of atheists who became believers, which, ultimately, as the title suggests, led to them experiencing true joy. The chapters are only a few pages in length, which makes this an easy, quick read. "Chapter XI - The Impossible Mathematics" was the one I enjoyed the most. To read about the mathematical probabilities (more accurately, improbabilities) of evolution is so incredible to me. In the past, I've made lists of all the reasons why I believe evolution is scientifically impossible (it was pages and pages and pages long), and so this is a topic I truly enjoy (still find it astounding that people actually believe in evolution...). The author quotes many other books that deal with apologetics, and my to-read list grew as I was turning the pages of Pathways to Joy. In particular, after reading this, I'm interested in reading works by Malcolm Muggeridge and Antony Flew. I enjoyed the chapters on the various people who came to faith and how this occurred but felt that each could have been a little longer. In addition, I loved the fact that the author's desire in writing this was to share the joy that he has found in Christ with others. That's lovely.

There were some things toward the end that I'm not sure I agree with. One is from page 113 where the author writes, "Jesus is never quoted in the Bible with this 'Christian' statement that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-good, and all-merciful or some variation of those morally good attributes. Jesus makes it clear that He will judge us at the end of time and that the basis for judging is the moral law, as best epitomized in the 10 Commandments. God is, in our limited human way of understanding, not necessarily 'all good'...perhaps He is more like a parent and we are the child, objecting when we do those things that the moral law establishes to be bad for us." This was a very confusing portion for me, and I'm not sure I understand the author's meaning completely...but I took it to mean that he perhaps does not think God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-good, etc.

As far as God not being all-powerful, I submit Luke 1:37 - "For nothing shall be impossible with God." As for not being all-knowing, in Matthew 6:8, Jesus tells us that the Father knows what we need before we ask and in Matthew 10:30 that God knows the numbers of hairs on our heads. As for not being all-good, in Mark 10:18, Jesus replies to the rich young ruler that none is good but God alone. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus mourned over Jerusalem and its coming destruction, stating that He wanted to gather its children like a mother hen does with her chicks, but the people were unwilling. Now, God is not one of these things only, but these make up His character, that He is good, all-knowing, all-powerful, and merciful, but there is a limit to that mercy and a time when He has to bring judgment. Still, He is abundantly merciful.

Christ may not state outright that God is any of those things, but it seems like, in other ways, His statements do point in that direction. God is righteous, just, and loving. His justice and righteousness go hand-in-hand, in a perfect union of goodness and absolutely perfect justice, in a way we can't quite comprehend. I believe God is all good - yes, I certainly do. He is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) but His ways and thoughts are also higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Now, as far as the author writing that we will be judged by how well we kept the Lord's commandments at the end, for those who are in Christ, we will not be judged in this way. That is how unbelievers will be judged. We are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ Himself; works do not and cannot save us. Our faith in Christ's finished work on the cross and His resurrection save us. Now we are judged by works, whether they are good or not, so that we can be rewarded or lose rewards, but I'm not going to get into all of that. We pass from death into life. Perhaps he didn't really mean that Christians are saved or are not saved by works, and I was just misreading things, but the way it's presented appears that way...

There were also some statements made on the very last pages that I am again unsure of; one: "Like Klavan, I no longer pray for something and, like Sally Read, I no longer ask, What do You want me to do? God is happiest when we surrender, love and experience that joy, peace and contentment that comes from the truth that we are, today, experiencing eternal life and our souls, expressions of God's love, will share an eternity of love" (page 116). This part is confusing to me. There is nothing wrong with praying for something (Jesus did so and also said that you will ask and receive, etc.) or even in asking of the Lord, "What would you have me do?" In fact, Christ did so by asking for the cup of suffering to be taken from Him (His Father's answer was no, since He went to the cross). Perhaps I need to read the works of Klavan and Read to better understand the author's intentions with the statements made in this passage. I don't believe we are experiencing eternal life right now at this moment. That is the life to come, after this one ends, but I do believe we have eternity in our hearts (as stated in Ecclesiastes) and have eternal souls.

On that same page and continuing onto page 117, there is this: "Like Klavan, many of us fear that if we become Christian, we will experience dramatic changes that we don't want." I can certainly relate to this, but I was totally wrong, having undergone those 'dreaded changes' and discovered the joy that comes when we let God mold us as a potter does the clay. He actually transforms us into who we've always wanted to be, and sometimes, the things we think we love (the sins and things we don't believe we can live without and still have joy) are the very things causing all the problems we are experiencing. It's really quite beautiful.

He continues, "But accepting Jesus Christ does not require picking a Christian denomination and finding and going to a church." True, but finding other believers to fellowship with is quite important for growth and accountability. He continues "All you really need to be joyful and saved is the New Testament and prayer." No. All you need to be saved is to put your faith in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross. Prayer and the reading of Scripture help us maintain a close relationship with the Lord, but these are WORKS - works do not save us, not even good works (Isaiah 64:6). Why does he only mention the New Testament? The Old Testament and the New Testament together are absolutely magnificent. One shows us the shadow of what is to come, and in the next, we finally SEE who was casting that great and awesome shadow all along. We see the scarlet thread of redemption weaving its way through Scripture and are let in on our Father's wonderful, incomprehensible plan of salvation, things angels desire to look into (1 Peter 1:12).

I've heard of some people abandoning the Old Testament, believing it to be irrelevant to today's Christians, and I find this astounding. Jesus quoted the Old Testament over and over and over, as did the writers of the New Testament. It is both relevant and vital, but, again, perhaps I am misreading the author's true intentions in that portion of the book? Did someone get anything different from that? I was surprised that there was very little said about the joy that one receives through being forgiven of sins because of what Jesus has done. There is simply this statement that people believe and have joy. That tremendous, joy unspeakable (as Peter expressed it in 1 Peter 1:8) is through the forgiveness believers receive because of the fact that Christ died for us. I'm uncertain of what the author believes exactly concerning salvation. It seems as if he believes that in the doing, one is saved. That is not so. It is by faith alone that we are made righteous and become children and heirs of God. It is really quite magnificent.

[Michael Ring · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a "joy" to read. Lunn's theme was intriguing: a number of former atheists such as Lewis, Muggeridge, Pascal, Wallace, Flew and others came to faith in Christ, or at least turned to theism and belief in God. The book was well organized with a helpful summary of each main character and his/her thinking. There was an ongoing interaction with the Bible, and the focus on joy was consistent, not only in the title, but throughout the book.
"Pathways" was an easy read with a solid flow to the writing. And the author not only identified with the individuals mentioned, but also wrote from his own personal experience. The prayers at the end were a practical help to those new to the subject, and a reminder to all of some of the helpful prayers in the Christian tradition. As a retired pastor, I thoroughly appreciated this work as Lunn gave his readers some light to guide them on their own journey.

[William Wilcoxson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author presents case studies summarizing the investigations of atheists into the validity of Jesus Christ and Christianity. His investigation finds a common thread surprisingly consistent among them. He then presents a brief summary of the facts that changed the mind of one of the most famous atheist, Anthony Flew. A short, concise and entertaining read that may help convert the doubter, and provides a Pathway to Joy for everyone !

[Terry Scallan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for “Pathways to Joy”. It was an interesting read. I especially enjoyed chapter IX & XI.
I sometimes fall into that group of people who wonder why God allows certain events to happen.
Looking at it from a time perspective is a game changer. He tells us in Psalms Chapter 90 that
time is not as His time. I love the math in chapter XI. I pray that God uses Mr. Lunn's work to reach
lost souls allowing them a pathway to joy through Him.

[Squaresparky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads!! It was a fast and easy read. I was a little disappointed that the chapters were so short I would have liked to get more information on how the individuals actucallly found joy through Jesus.

[Sami · Rating 1 out of 5]

I won this book on a goodreads giveaway. I was very disappointed that it was not the type of book it was made to sound like. I should've realized it was a sort of Christian catfish scam, but I didn't until I actually received the book.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goodreads Giveaway winner. Thanks to the author for his good wishes. Small book but mighty prostesizing. Preaching to the choir.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and easy to read. I recommend it.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected when I read the title. May recommend to my Introduction to Religion classes.