Faith After Doubt by Brian D. McLaren

Faith After Doubt

by Brian D. McLaren

Many people struggle with doubts about their faith, but too frequently the church doesn't welcome them. In this wise and compassionate book, trusted author and speaker Brian McLaren invites readers to see doubt not as a failure but an important part of being human - and an inescapable dimension of having faith.

Beginning by placing doubt in its larger context, then viewing it as part of a larger growth process, Brian finally suggests that doubt can be a valuable companion on the road of faith, rather than an enemy.

Reviewed by Jeff Sexton on

3 of 5 stars

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Too Much Faith, Not Enough Doubt. I've read McLaren for a few years and knew him to be of the more "progressive Christian" bent, so I knew what I was getting myself in for in picking up this book. But as always, he does have at least a few good points in here, making the book absolutely worthy of reading and contemplating. However, he also proof texts a fair amount, and any at all of this particular sin is enough for me to dock *any* book that utilizes the practice a star in my own personal war with the practice. (Though I *do* note that he isn't as bad as other writers in this.) The other star removal comes from the title of this review, which is really my core criticism here. As is so often in his previous books as well as so many other authors, McLaren has good points about the need for doubt and how to live in harmony... but then insists on praising cult figures on both sides of the aisle such as Greta Thurnberg and David Grossman. In encouraging evaneglicals to doubt their beliefs, he seems rather sure of his own beliefs in the religions of science and government - seemingly more comfortable worshipping these religions than the Christ he claims. Overall, much of the discussion here truly is strong. It simply needed to be applied in far more areas than McLaren was... comfortable... in doing. Recommended.

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  • Started reading
  • 17 January, 2021: Finished reading
  • 17 January, 2021: Reviewed