Doubt and death, God and self, happiness or insignificance, guilt or grace! These fundamental human concerns are deeply intertwined and connect with our heart's deepest longings. They are difficult to understand, yet deeply felt. "When Faith Is Not Enough" is a creative, honest, and original discussion of faith and doubt and the search for human significance. Drawing upon personal experience, literature, psychology, philosophy, and Scripture, philosopher Kelly Clark tackles the difficult question of how we can live with doubt and how we can nurture a faith and develop a self of enduring value. In section one, "The Shadow of a Doubt," Clark takes doubt (and doubters) seriously and sets out to help the reader understand faith in a deeper way. He presents a powerful case for the existence of God, offers hope for understanding the problem of God and human suffering, suggests positive ways for dealing with doubt, and affirms the excitement of embracing the adventure of life. Section two, "Searching for My Self," is a reflection on the meaning of life. We want our lives to count, but we feel insignificant. We desire fame and honor, but we feel forgotten and ignored. Wishing for significant human relationships, we often feel alienated and unable to communicate. And wanting to live worthy lives, we feel shame. Clark probes into these conflicting emotions and addresses how God can unite the disparate elements of our lives into a meaningful and enduring self.
Kelly James Clark is senior research fellow at the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University; his many other books include Written to Be Heard, Return to Reason, and When Faith Is Not Enough.
Anglican Theological Review "Kelly James Clark's study of the place of doubt in faith is both stimulating and instructive. . . It is a book that should be widely appreciated by parish study groups. It is clear and concise about basic Christian faith. It includes a range of helpful illustrations to make its points -- from the author's storehouse of personal experiences to the world of the saints, ancient and modern. . . When used in a parish setting, where participants are part of a worshiping community, the book possesses so much valuable and clearly written material that it should encourage fruitful discussion of the Church's apologetic role today." Booklist "He writes very intelligently and every bit as accessibly, seamlessly weaving together personal anecdotes, literary citations, and biblical interpretation. . . His book will speak eloquently to struggling believers turned off by gleaming televangelists and infallible pronouncements." CBA Marketplace "Well-reasoned and inviting treatise. . . A rich, satisfying book ideal for Christians, seeking a thoughtful discussion of faith and doubt. This would be superb for baby boomer and buster study groups." Lewis B. Smedes "Superb, in every way fine, a nice read -- as 'they' say -- and ever so luminous. I have learned a lot from it, want to consult it and recommend it." Provident Book Finder "This is a vital topic, probed honestly and presented in a straightforward and lucid style."
