While this is clearly not the proper motivation for seeking God, it is often true that people begin their search for God for these reasons! Mr McLaren is not saying that this is the proper motivation; he points out only that it is common and must therefore be acknowledged. While I now know that this sort of initial selfishness is not right, it can very well lead a person to come to faith ... as it did for me!In sum, I recommend this book wholeheartedly for all readers: atheists, agnostics, seekers and committed Christians. One of the few books I've read that deserves 5 stars!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent non-manipulative look at the issue of faith
Review: I highly recommend this book. But, I warn you -- it'll torque the hell out of traditionalists.
Author Brian McLaren also wrote last year's "Reinventing Your Church" which was the best Christian book I've read since the early 80s.
"Finding Faith" is a very clear, intellectually honest, and non-manipulative book on how to approach the whole subject of faith. It respects serious thought, postmodernism, and doubt. Not once does he resort to traditional arguments, evangelical tricks, or dogma.
It is a very honest and probing book.
For the first few chapters, he really got under my skin (exposing my own traditionalism!). But,I stuck with it. By the time I got to Chapter 13 (a wonderful look at the Bible), I was a convert.
McLaren clearly knows what he's doing here. He has taken a bold leap to present Christ in the open market of ideas. He doesn't assume any kind of Christian consensus and he doesn't try to defend God.
The book is a refreshing, contemporary look at the Kingdom of God.
If you want something to give to non-Christian friends, this is the book. It is very respectful of non-believers; it gives them lots of room.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent non-manipulative look at the issue of faith
Review: I highly recommend this book. But, I warn you -- it'll torque the hell out of traditionalists.
Author Brian McLaren also wrote last year's "Reinventing Your Church" which was the best Christian book I've read since the early 80s.
"Finding Faith" is a very clear, intellectually honest, and non-manipulative book on how to approach the whole subject of faith. It respects serious thought, postmodernism, and doubt. Not once does he resort to traditional arguments, evangelical tricks, or dogma.
It is a very honest and probing book.
For the first few chapters, he really got under my skin (exposing my own traditionalism!). But,I stuck with it. By the time I got to Chapter 13 (a wonderful look at the Bible), I was a convert.
McLaren clearly knows what he's doing here. He has taken a bold leap to present Christ in the open market of ideas. He doesn't assume any kind of Christian consensus and he doesn't try to defend God.
The book is a refreshing, contemporary look at the Kingdom of God.
If you want something to give to non-Christian friends, this is the book. It is very respectful of non-believers; it gives them lots of room.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for seekers who believe in Jesus AND those who don't
Review: I was hooked on this book when the person who recommended it to me told me this was a book I could give to a non-Christian without feeling embarrassed. He was right.
Before publishing "Finding Faith," McLaren ran proofs by his friends, including atheists and agnostics. I found his conversational, nontraditional style refreshing. I work at a prep school and look forward to reading this book with the students, wherever they're at on their spiritual journey.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent and thoughtful, easy-to-read
Review: In the tradition of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, this book engaged me to think THROUGH principles of faith and life instead of thinking ABOUT them. Very challenging and enjoyable read.
Rating: 
Summary: For Christianity seekers, not all spiritual seekers
Review: McLaren assumes that the reader is already a Christian, or at least Christianity oriented. This is not a book for "spiritual seekers" as much as it is a book for those who seek a Christianity which is different from a traditionalist point of view.
Rating: 
Summary: SELF-motivated SPIRITUALITY
Review: The book says<<They want to know not "Is Christianity true?" but rather, "Will buying into the Christian faith make me into a better person?">>
This smacks of Self-Motivated Spirituality: Placing your own character and well-being above your desire to know God.
"What I want is anything God can do for me to make me desirable in my own eyes." There is no complete abandon to God in that. God's Word tells us:
"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer." 2 Cor. 5:14-16
Rating:
Summary: SELF-motivated SPIRITUALITY
Review: The book says<>
This smacks of Self-Motivated Spirituality: Placing your own character and well-being above your desire to know God.
"What I want is anything God can do for me to make me desirable in my own eyes." There is no complete abandon to God in that. God's Word tells us:
"For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer." 2 Cor. 5:14-16
Rating:
Summary: This is an excellent beginning for a spiritual search.
Review: This book is very thought-provoking, non-threatening, insightful and at times, humorous. The book doesn't use any language that would make an uncertain person feel uncomfortable, and does not come across as dictating any sort of religious or moral values on the reader. I appreciated it for this. Really the only important thing I could say about it is that it made some sort of difference in my life, though I'm not sure what kind of difference it made yet, because I need time to mull over all of the new perspectives it presented. I would highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: This book will make you think
