Tell Me Why: A Father Answers His Daughter's Questions About God

by Michael Novak

Hailed as a new classic in faith exploration, this remarkable book offers a rare chance to eavesdrop on a conversation between a believing father and a skeptical daughter about God, faith, and morals. World-renowned theologian Michael Novak accepts a unique challenge when his twentysomething daughter Jana sends him a long fax filled with practical questions about life and religion. His answers -- warm, wise, and unfaltering -- serve as guideposts to faith at a critical time in his daughter's life. For her part, Jana is not interested in a scholarly essay but in straight and honest replies; she challenges what she doesn't understand, and she never hesitates to bat back an answer she doesn't like.
The result is a lively, thought-provoking dialogue that addresses the concerns of Jana's generation while also taking on the questions of the ages -- from the purpose of religion in our lives, to how "good" must a Christian be, to the problems of suffering, compassion, and the existence of God. Enacting as it does the difficult passing on of a noble tradition, Tell Me Why offers an illuminating path for anyone searching to embrace or deepen their faith.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Religion, Autobiography, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Michael Novak is an American Catholic philosopher, journalist, novelist, and diplomat. He is George Frederick Jewett Scholar in Religion, Philosophy, and Public Policy at the American Enterprise Institute

Novak served as United States Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1981 and 1982 and led the U.S. delegation to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in 1986.

In 1993 Novak was honored with an honorary doctorate degree at Universidad Francisco Marroquín] due to his commitment to the idea of liberty. In 1994 he was awarded the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion.

Reviews

[Patricia]

Michael Novak and Jana Novak. Father-daughter dialogue begins with "Why does religion, any religion, matter?" and proceeds from foundational issues (such as "What is God like?") to particulars ("Can I pick and choose what I believe?" ) and practicalities (yes, abortion comes up). For a father and his grown daughter to allow us to eavesdrop on a rigorous, yet tender exchanges about what matters most is a gift.

[Susi Florence]

Read it in 1999...stumbled upon it just now...never forgot it

[Clare]

This is a book for young questioners, not those who simply ask why, but those who reason out questions in the context of popular attitudes and ponder the far-reaching repercussions of the answers. It is for those who are not afraid of a detailed, thought-provoking read that is likely to lead to further discussion. It is not difficult to follow, though it goes deep into most areas of belief and its practical requirements. Highly recommended to those who are ready for it.

Reviewed for www.GoodReadingGuide.com

[Mike Horne]

Good book. A conversation between a theologian and his daughter on belief. Not part of the current debate over religion. A good explanation of why someone is a Christian (and more particularly a Catholic). I thought the daughter could have thrown some harder questions.

[Kathrin]

Great apologetics book of letters between a devout, well-read, Catholic father and his questioning college daughter. I am glad to have this one on the shelves for future conversations with thoughtful children. Ethan, you should read this. I love you. Kiss kiss

[Paul]

A top theologian defends his faith over an email discussion with his sympathetic but semi-agnostic daughter.

[Erik]

This book was perhaps the first book to get me thinking that I needed to better understand my relationship with Jesus.