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Restless Faith: Holding On to a God Just Out of Reach
Let go of the deeply controlled, preconceived assumptions of faith to seek the God who seems just out of reach. Author Winn Collier challenges us to confront the unsettling edges of faith and discover a freedom to worship God in the midst of life’s chaos, even if He doesn’t seem to answer our prayers.
208 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2005
15 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Winn Collier
16 books90 followersWinn has written for periodicals such as Washington Post, Christian Century, Soul Journey, Christianity Today, In Touch, Campus Life, Leadership Journal, Radiant, Preaching Today and Clear & Seven. For six years, Winn was the Deeper Walk editor for Relevant Magazine. His first solo book, Restless Faith: Hanging on to a God Just out of Reach is a candid exploration into the perplexing, riveting and mysterious nature of God - and the humility we discover in the encounter. His second book Let God: The Transforming Wisdom of Francois Fenelon enters conversation with a 17th century French spiritual guide. Winn's most recent book, Holy Curiosity: Encountering Jesus' Provocative Questions, explores the strange reality that Jesus often held out a question rather than an answer. Winn's first fiction was the epistolary novel Love Big, Be Well: Letters to a Small-Town Church which narrates the story of Jonas McAnn and the community of Granby Presbyterian via letters Jonas writes to his friends (i.e. "congregation). Winn's most recent book is A Burning in My Bones, the authorized biography of Eugene Peterson.
A pastor for 25 years and the founding pastor of All Souls in Charlottesville, Virginia, Winn and his family now live in Holland, Michigan, where he teaches at Western Theological Seminary and directs the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination. Winn earned a PhD in religion and literature from the University of Virginia.
A pastor for 25 years and the founding pastor of All Souls in Charlottesville, Virginia, Winn and his family now live in Holland, Michigan, where he teaches at Western Theological Seminary and directs the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination. Winn earned a PhD in religion and literature from the University of Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 24, 2016
Let me begin by saying that I would love to give this book all five stars. I say that not because of anything to do with the book itself. The reason is that this author lives in Clemson, South Carolina, which is near my old home area of Starr and Iva, South Carolina and the Flat Rock Community.
Maybe I am not the brightest bulb in the string of lights, but I had a very hard time trying to ascertain what this Collier was trying to say.
Reading this book seems very much like being inside the mind of someone with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Collier switches from one point to another with very little to string the thoughts together.
The author expects his reader to know of all these people mentioned in his book. I read a great deal. In fact, I am often reading several books in one day. I have heard of the poet Rumi, but only recently learned anything about him from my friend David Cawood from his book The Secret Sabbatical.
I was not aware of some of the other people quoted in the book. That being said, when a book is meant for those of us who do not have a masters degree in theology, literature, or mythology it would be great for the author to provide a brief explanation as to why a quote from someone we have never heard of is helpful. He does explain some things in the note section. But, face it, the average reader will never see the note section. Those of us that are looking for answers to life's questions would rather read a book instead of a foot noted, documented research paper.
From reading the promotional information regarding the book, I was under the impression that somehow reading this book would help the reader come to some type of resolution within them that all is not lost, that there is hope when we place our faith in God. I never saw this.
Instead, I read from a man who had found no resolution. If anything, he told us of his doubts and fears but gave no hope for overcoming them.
I fail to see how Collier links his sex life with his wife along with the professed lusts he had for others with assisting his readers find a faith they are struggling with.
As I neared the end of this book, a former pastor came to mind. This pastor was hired to preach at the church I attended in my youth. Most of the members of the church were older. This new pastor was struggling. It was his first church.
He was also the father of one child of about two years old. We had seven at the time ranging in age from about 4 to about 17. The pastor, who was having a hard enough time keeping up with one child, attempted to give me advice on being a parent.
The advice came about because as we were talking, my youngest son came up to me and asked me something. I answered him and turned back to my conversation with the pastor. The pastor began to lecture me about how to handle interruptions from my child. I explained that in life there are priorities that one must set. To me, any communication with my wife and children was infinitely more important than the chit chat in which he and I were engaged.
My point here is that the author appears to be trying to advise his readers on a topic he is still fighting through himself. Very much like my pastor friend who was giving advice on child rearing when he had not yet figured it out.
I received this book free of charge or obligation through the Tyndale Rewards Program. I was under no obligation to write a review positive or otherwise.
Maybe I am not the brightest bulb in the string of lights, but I had a very hard time trying to ascertain what this Collier was trying to say.
Reading this book seems very much like being inside the mind of someone with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Collier switches from one point to another with very little to string the thoughts together.
The author expects his reader to know of all these people mentioned in his book. I read a great deal. In fact, I am often reading several books in one day. I have heard of the poet Rumi, but only recently learned anything about him from my friend David Cawood from his book The Secret Sabbatical.
I was not aware of some of the other people quoted in the book. That being said, when a book is meant for those of us who do not have a masters degree in theology, literature, or mythology it would be great for the author to provide a brief explanation as to why a quote from someone we have never heard of is helpful. He does explain some things in the note section. But, face it, the average reader will never see the note section. Those of us that are looking for answers to life's questions would rather read a book instead of a foot noted, documented research paper.
From reading the promotional information regarding the book, I was under the impression that somehow reading this book would help the reader come to some type of resolution within them that all is not lost, that there is hope when we place our faith in God. I never saw this.
Instead, I read from a man who had found no resolution. If anything, he told us of his doubts and fears but gave no hope for overcoming them.
I fail to see how Collier links his sex life with his wife along with the professed lusts he had for others with assisting his readers find a faith they are struggling with.
As I neared the end of this book, a former pastor came to mind. This pastor was hired to preach at the church I attended in my youth. Most of the members of the church were older. This new pastor was struggling. It was his first church.
He was also the father of one child of about two years old. We had seven at the time ranging in age from about 4 to about 17. The pastor, who was having a hard enough time keeping up with one child, attempted to give me advice on being a parent.
The advice came about because as we were talking, my youngest son came up to me and asked me something. I answered him and turned back to my conversation with the pastor. The pastor began to lecture me about how to handle interruptions from my child. I explained that in life there are priorities that one must set. To me, any communication with my wife and children was infinitely more important than the chit chat in which he and I were engaged.
My point here is that the author appears to be trying to advise his readers on a topic he is still fighting through himself. Very much like my pastor friend who was giving advice on child rearing when he had not yet figured it out.
I received this book free of charge or obligation through the Tyndale Rewards Program. I was under no obligation to write a review positive or otherwise.
July 21, 2023
The author talks about his doubt and all the reasons for it but never once comes up with any solutions or ideas. I feel sorry for him.
August 18, 2008
This is a fantastic book for anyone struggling to find meaning in a spiritual dry spell. Just because God may not be speaking directly to you, it doesn't mean He doesn't exist. This book goes back through the societal strife, negligent indolence, trials, tribulations, and head-scratching works God addressed through the prophet Malachi. God brought the heat through Malachi, and this book does a fantastic job of relating the struggles of 4th Century BC to the struggles we face as Christians surrounded by a blinding world of weirdness in the current day and age.
For anyone toying with the notion of "quitting God," I highly suggest this read. It helped me through some pretty dark days, and is infused with just the right amount of "get off your butt and do something" as "be still and know that I am God". A satisfying Easter morning brunch of a book, complete with all the fixin's.
For anyone toying with the notion of "quitting God," I highly suggest this read. It helped me through some pretty dark days, and is infused with just the right amount of "get off your butt and do something" as "be still and know that I am God". A satisfying Easter morning brunch of a book, complete with all the fixin's.
April 2, 2013
This book is refreshingly honest and well-written. The author is very open about his own struggles, which adds to the impact of his message. It's a wonderful change from the prevalent religious self-help books, and while it doesn't offer easy answers, it does offer challenging biblical principles. This is a must-read for those of us who struggle with the desire to be in control of our own life rather than truly surrendering to whatever God has for us.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews