A Search for What Makes Sense: Finding Faith

by Brian D. McLaren, Steve Chalke (Foreword by)

Does having faith mean abandoning reason? It's easy to get that impression. Still, it seems reasonable that a supremely intelligent God would want you to use your God-given intellect on your spiritual journey as much as in any other aspect of your life. Faith may not stand on rational thinking alone, but a solid faith should walk hand in hand with intellectual integrity. This book helps you sort through the questions, objections, and concerns you can't help but raise. A Search for What Makes Sense will help you think your way clearly and honestly to answers that satisfy because they're your answers--conclusions you've arrived at personally without manipulation, coercion, or game-playing. For faith to exist and grow it's got to make sense--good sense, carefully-thought-out sense. And chances are it does. FINDING FAITH The Finding Faith books A Search for What Makes Sense and A Search for What Is Real don't try to tell you what to believe; they are guides in learning how to believe. If you think the spiritual journey requires turning your back on honesty and intellectual integrity, these two companion volumes will speak to both your mind and your soul.

Genres: Religion, Christianity, Theology, Christian, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Faith

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2007

About the author

Brian D. McLaren is an internationally known speaker and the author of over ten highly acclaimed books on contemporary Christianity, including A New Kind of Christian, A Generous Orthodoxy, and The Secret Message of Jesus.

Reviews

[Angela Blount · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the kind of book I would recommend as a front-to-back sort of read. From the very beginning, the author invites you to skim through and focus on chapters that catch your interest or most apply to your particular situation. That worked just fine for me, as all of the chapters do stand on their own.

The closest thing I could compare this book to would be Blue Like Jazz. By comparison, it has the advantage of the author being quite brilliant and methodical in explanations to pressing questions, but the disadvantage of him being less humorous and conversational about his conveyance. His tone, at least, is generally kind and non-judgmental, though he could have stood to be a bit more self-revealing with his own spiritual journey.

The chapters regarding Atheism and Agnosticism stood out to me. This was the first time I'd been introduced to a clear differentiation between the three primary forms of Agnosticism: Closed Agnosticism, Open Agnosticism, and Ignosticism. I think it was worth a read, overall. Particularly to anyone looking to expand their understanding of other people's thought processes.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read Brian McLaren and the title didn’t particularly grab me, but the weight and size were perfect for travel. He points out in no uncertain terms in the beginning of this book that he didn’t write it for people like me; people who never question their faith but who know that the journey of faith is as much one of discovery as it is of belief. Anyway, as a lifelong Christian, I found his tone, at times, to be a bit condescending and I was sad that among his references, not one is a woman. Perhaps it seems dated to me, and while Mere Christianity is older, it was not nearly as irksome to read as this was. I’ll try Brian McLaren again, maybe even read the second volume to this this one. I hate to think that this kind of writing defines one of the writers that supposedly reflects the positive aspects of current Christianity.

[Gwen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because of something Brittney Cooper said about the author in "Eloquent Rage". Looking at McLaren's titles, I was pretty excited, but I'm a little disappointed. It doesn't seem like anything particularly out of the ordinary for liberal-ish Christian thinking. Some good stuff, but nothing radical, and just as much condescension.

I might try one of his other works and hope it's better.

[Luke Catlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty easy read. The author used examples from his own life to try to relate to the reader. He also posed many of the questions that someone looking for or building their faith might ask. He stops short however on given his personal answers to these questions, preferring rather to let the reader answer for themselves.

[Mark Zellner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I respect Brian and really wanted this book to be so much better than it was. He really fails to adequately convey the skeptic or atheist mindset in a way that seems like he understands it. Science Mike, for example, really acknowledges the reality of atheism in a fair way. When the book brought up Pascals Wager, which is legitimately the worst apologetics concept of all time, I just couldn't.

[Sherrie Kolb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!

As a person who struggles with faith, McLaren opened my mind, and led me to think for myself about spiritual matters. I highly recommend this book.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last time I read this book (and this copy of this book) was when I was in the Peace Corps over 10 years ago. It was interesting to re-read as one of several books I am reading for Lent this year.

[Ahmed Alkhateeb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brian McLaren’s attempt to reconcile postmodern intellectualism with faith is admirable; however I felt that his approach was too simple. He danced around the big questions without addressing them. Maybe that was his goal all along … trying to separate his own religious/spiritual conviction from those of the reader … who knows!
It was just off putting for someone who was looking for a challenging read.
Also, due to the very personal and sometimes conversational writing style, some parts of the book dragged on and on.

Now with the negatives out of the way, I will explain my 4 star rating. Mclaren understands doubt! Chapters 1 and 3 address this directly. His insights on the growth of faith were, to some extent, eye-opening. My favorite chapter was that on the relationship between knowledge and faith. Despite the fact it was too simplistic of a philosophical argument, it was comprehensive which allowed me to put many questions/doubts in perspective.
In the final chapter, Mclaren says: “an open mind is like an open window … you need a screen to keep the bugs out”. His screening tools were very practical, and were sincere. He was not going to run away from pluralism, but he was not going to make a firm position against it either. I would not have enjoyed this chapter if he did either.

[Dannielle Shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

The best chapter in this book is the chapter in which the author presents a category system for different kinds of faith--from the insecure and inflexible to an opening, questioning, more evolved version of faith. I think that chapter could have interesting applications even to non-theistic traditions. The rest of the book teetered on a very thin line between a guide to finding what makes sense and a treatise for why monotheism makes sense. To his credit, the author admitted his bias in the very first pages of the book. That admission, however admirable, did not make for a less eye-roll worthy reading experience for me. My take away after reading some of McLaren's assertions was that some mysteries are better left unexplained. Admitting my own bias, I came into the book as a somewhat indifferent atheist with a very limited understanding of what faith entailed and left a slightly more indifferent atheist with a broadened understanding of faith. So, nothing ventured nothing gained.

[Thabu Pienaar]

Interesting book to open your mind

I liked this book of Brian McClaren for the fact that it open one 's mind on your own journey with God. The things which struck me was:
Stages of faith which I see in mynown life and in manynpeople I encounter.
The rejection of a view of 'we know and have the final answer on religion (and/or God). We don't. God is bigger than our thoughts or 'knowldge'.
The definition of 'good faith' vs 'bad faith'. Many 'good Christians' are actually living out 'bad faith'.

Off to the second volume...

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book is somewhat entertaining. I particularly enjoyed the philosophical chapter on epistemology. However, the second half of the book lost my interest mainly because it didn't address any worldviews that I particularly relate to. That being said, the book is a good conversation starter and quite possibly a radical read for someone who hasn't done any serious faith questioning. It's worth a look.

[Danny Bennett · Rating 1 out of 5]

As the years go on and I re-read McLaren's books, my opinion of him lowers. Most of his books seem to have this underlining fear of offending non-Christians. This book says some things about faith that are true, but don't really hit the essence of faith. Nor does he make the important distinction between saving faith and sanctifying faith. McLaren's circles in his chapter on religious pluralism are dangerous to Christian orthodoxy.

[Phillip Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, to me, has a lot to offer just about anybody. What I found most moving was the author's humility and sensitivity toward others' experiences with bad faith. He is noncommittal and will drive some people crazy. The intended audience however will most likely find it a relief since it leaves room for questioning. I never felt patronized. Read books like this one when you're ready for them, when you have time.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally like the openness and sincerity of McLaren's work, but in this one he appeals to Pascal's Wager, and numerous logical fallacies, which really spoiled it for me. He does make a few good points, but the use of Argumentum ad Populum (in particular) really undermined what he was trying to say.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book. A bit much like a the Strobel "a Case for..." books. A little to intellictual for me at this point in my life/ year.

I need some LIGHT reading!

[Brian]

add this one to REASON FOR GOD and LANGUAGE OF GOD pile.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, quick but not easy read.

[Kathi · Rating 1 out of 5]

HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING MY INTEREST. INFO REGARDING BOOK WAS MISLEADING.