When Faith Is Not Enough

Rating:
Summary: A rare mix of pastoral and theological reflection
Review: Dr. Clark succeeds in tapping into the frustration many Christians have with those who seem to that the faith in "obvious", the belief is simple. In fact, doubt is essential to faith and causes us a crisis which inevitably forces us to come face to face with who we are and what reality itself entails. Dr. Clark takes onthe challenge of appealing to doubters, but also lending them hope and a reason to continue to believe. His helpful, though cursory, study of Kierkegaard has opened my eyes to this philosopher and wants me to read more. And an author that can make one want to read more has succeeded greatly. This is a must-read for all Christians.

Rating:
Summary: A rare mix of pastoral and theological reflection
Review: Dr. Clark succeeds in tapping into the frustration many Christians have with those who seem to that the faith in "obvious", the belief is simple. In fact, doubt is essential to faith and causes us a crisis which inevitably forces us to come face to face with who we are and what reality itself entails. Dr. Clark takes onthe challenge of appealing to doubters, but also lending them hope and a reason to continue to believe. His helpful, though cursory, study of Kierkegaard has opened my eyes to this philosopher and wants me to read more. And an author that can make one want to read more has succeeded greatly. This is a must-read for all Christians.

Rating:
Summary: Poignant and Provocative
Review: Dr. Clark's book rightly shouldn't be read as an apologetic of the Christian faith (although the (tenuous) argument from design he provides might tend to construe the work as such). Drawing on various literary sources, and notably Soren Kierkegaard, Clark attempts to engage the reader in a dialog about the the meaning of faith, despite the ambiguity and vexations of living in the so-called postmodern world.

It's difficult to say, after reading through the book, what virtue or merit it has -- other than perhaps opening up a potential channel of dialog among those readers who may have not begun to think earnestly and honestly about the struggles they face as believers in the postmodern milieu. For those readers, I should be glad to recommend the book; to others, however, who have begun to confront their own horizon of unbelief and the problem of developing a self-conscious and honest hermeneutic of faith, I would venture to guess that the book will be of limited interest and value.

Rating:
Summary: A shooting star!
Review: Dr. Kelly James Clark wrote an exceptional book on doubt, loss, and suffering and how to overcome it through faith, hope, and love. Dr. Clark takes his reader on a journey to the vast depths of the human soul, through the heart of a person, and back to one's true self. Along the way, he creates vivid analogies for his readers that are sensitive to the topic and yet powerful enough to delve the reader's mind into the heart of his book. One keen example of creative sensitivity and power is in chapter two, titled, "Moments of Light." In this personal reflection Dr. Clark retells a dark experience he had of hitch-hiker he brought home to stay the night because of the blustery conditions. He sweeps his reader into an adrenalin rush when recalls that evening in 1980 and his near regretful experience turned blessing.

Interestingly, Dr. Clark keeps his readers on their toes with many insightful and philisophical pearls of wisdom. One of the best insights in this book, "We are as far from God, and understanding his ways, as a worm is from understanding us and our ways." An amazingly sensible analogy! Dr. Clark truly brings the image of a personal relationship with God to life! His book offers a step-by-step method to aligning a spiritual relationship with the Lord on the right track. A quick and splendid read for the philosopher and psychologist alike! It's a book you just can't put down until your finished!! Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Worth Your Time!
Review: This Book is an excellent resource for anyone who suffers from depression. Very easy to read. Clark gives plenty of analogies, which make it easy to relate this book to your own life. At times we all suffer and doubt. This book was not only written for the laymen, it was written for the intellectual.

Rating:
Summary: Powerful Book!
Review: This book was amazing! Clark took an brutally honest look at Faith in God - when God seems so near and when you feel abandoned. His honesty made me take a hard look at where my Faith is. Before each chapter he has a few quotes by famous theologians, philosophers & other writers which are so powerful in themselves. The quotes are evidence of the struggle that even the most godly people have had w/ their Faith - C.S. Lewis for example. One point that Clark makes very clear is the need for all people to be honest w/ themselves and to be AUTHENTIC. So many people don't take the time to sit back and reflect on life - they are blind to the reality of life around them. Most are in the rut of following cultural standards - get up, eat, work, come home, watch TV, and sleep, while never taking time to truly reflect on life. Only then will you truly know who you are as a person and you will be on your way to becoming authentically YOU. There's so much more to this book so you MUST read it! This book is remarkable and I would recommend it for everyone - Christian or not.