Rumors of Another World: What on Earth Are We Missing?

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Summary: Philip Yancey Tries to Dispel "Rumors"
Review: Philip Yancey is well-known as a Christian book writer. I know this because I had the surprisingly pleasurable opportunity to part of a devoted audience who came to hear him speak about his new book, "Rumors of Another World: What on Earth Are We Missing?". Having written over twenty books on Christianity and faith, he's taken a unique approach to expressing his beliefs: he poses questions that make you think about the possibilities.

The book starts out with him explaining his creative process. That is, he uses the writing experience as a means for him to answer his own questions about things he believes, he feels, and he wonders about, and, as he does, he makes the reader join in his quest for his version of The Truth. Using numerous quotes and anecdotes, he creates the feeling of a collective voice, a discussion group of which you are a part. The questions are posed, and semi-answered, leaving you to interpret the meanings for yourself. In one such story, he describes a field of sheep, in which there are females with painted bottoms. Asking why this is so, he learns that the males are equipped with paint canisters to show that they've serviced the females. But, this makes him think: if these sheep are oblivious to the fact that they are part of a rancher's grander scheme, with the dog that occasionally barks at them, the servicing of the females, and the vast land that feeds them, why can't it be possible that we, as humans, are in a similar situation. That is, are we oblivious to someone else's plan, although we exist in our own reality?

The concept of reality is explored; he suggests that there is a "visible" reality, and an "invisible" reality. The visible reality being what we see and choose to believe, but this reality is often fleeting and superficial. For example, he notes that our magazines show that "beautiful women" seem to be of utmost importance, but where are these women? Does that reflect what's real or what's unattainable? Recall that we once thought that the world was flat. Recall also that after 911, we reprioritized our lifes. People started attending church more often, people halted their divorces, people made more time to be with their friends and family, and people who were once looked up to, such as athletes and rock stars, played second chair to "real heroes", such as the policemen and firefighters. Advertising ceased, and we were still glued to our TVs. What we though was important wasn't really important. What we believe isn't always true, but there will always be The Truth.

The book does an amazing thing in making people wonder about their design, and, thus, wonder about the way that their life should be led. He gives a new code, a different way of being than we've learn from Man's history (and, notably, that of the Church): Love should guide the way -- and drive the values by which we live our lives.

I'll close with a story that he told about a police officer, that after the end of apartheid in South Africa, was made to answer for his crimes. Then-President Nelson Mandela declared that all would have clemency that committed crimes against the black majority while working in the government's interest, but they had to stand before the family (against which he committed the crime) and ask their forgiveness. This one police officer had killed the son and husband of a woman, and come the day of reckoning, he admitted the horrible things he had done -- he "spared no detail" in describing the brutal way that he murdered. When he was through, she had only three requests: to be led to her family's remains so that she could give them a proper burial, to be keep company by the policeman since he took away her family, and to be given a hug to show that all was forgiven. While the tribunal started into "Amazing Grace", she started to walk toward him to accept the hug. But, she didn't get the hug...he had fainted. Love fell the once ruthless man.

For those in the "borderlands" (a term he uses to describe those unsure of their faith), this may help you to find your way. Visit www.rumorsofanotherworld.com to find out more.

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Summary: Tell the whole truth, Mr. Yancey!
Review: Philip Yancey says "I am just like you, an ordinary person trying to figure things out..." Hogwash. What the book jacket doesn't tell you is that Yancey is not only Christian, he is the editor of Christianity Today. He claims to be writing from "the region between belief and unbelief." But though the book is not an apologetic work, Yancey has clearly already figured things out. I had been hoping to find a fellow searcher; instead I find a know-it-all who thinks doesn't think that unbelievers can conceive of anything beyond the physical.

Yancey covers the ground broken so capably by C.S. Lewis, but with less content and more repetition of banal truisms. From worn-out phrases about nature ("thin mountain air, a carpet of wildflowers, a ptarmigan's nest...") to threadbare anecdotes about declining morality ("a sniper opens fire on strangers; a mother drowns her two children...") to the dubious assertion that believers have better sex: Yancey says it all, and then says it all again. If you're looking for a book to confirm your hopes and beliefs, this is the one. But if you wanted a guide for your "dark night of the soul," keep looking.

Rating:
Summary: Yancey meanders casually before delivering yet again.
Review: Reading a Yancey book is always an enjoyable experience for me, because of the conversational tones and quiet and unassuming, yet consistently convicting, insights he reveals. This time around my first impression was that he had missed the mark, a follow up read to finish the book months later gave me an entirely different perspective.

I was originally not impressed with the first several chapters, because while it was insightful as always, it was missing the emotional connection of his previous works, and I felt as though I had "heard this all before". The premise is his delve into the dichotomy of the two worlds Christians live in: one the physical world, a world full of desires, and fleeting and ultimately unimportant wants, and the other a spiritual world where we place our sights on things of immeasurable value from an eternal perspective. Obviously, this is not a new topic, but he looks closely in his usual unique perspective, at the various ways the things we encounter everyday reflect this dichotomy. While interesting, it didn't hit on any emotional cylinders for me, and so I put the book down and moved on without finishing.

Months later, after unpacking from a move, I found the book, and threw it my suitcase to finish on a plane. I picked it up in Chapter 12, where he looks into the life of the famous "Elephant Man". So powerful is the imagery and the contrast between the grotesque outward appearance and horrific treatment he endured and the rich, simple, and deeply loving personality of this man, that the message hit home. How do we "see" that which is real, behind or between the exterior illusions? From then on the book hit wonderful chords and sparked yet again the wonder and soul inspiring visionary impact Yancey is known for.

I quickly read the book again, and the pieces came together. Like all of his work, Yancey creates emotional imagery by juxtaposing a variety of source material and overlaying it on a theme. One powerful illustration was how he feels when returning to "home" after a trip out in the wilderness or to a foreign exotic location: "The first day back, modern culture betrays itself as a self-evident lie, a grotesque parody of the day to day life I know. The next day my reactions moderate. A few days later I am breathing the air of lust, consumerism, selfishness and ambition, and it seems normal". This is a wonderful glimpse at the way the current world obscures the spiritual.

Yancey delivers yet again. Highly recommended, even if you have to start with chapter 12 as I did to get to the heart of the issue. Keep writing Phillip, but perhaps look closer at editing, your work is too good to be discarded by too casual an entrance to such an important subject.

Rating:
Summary: Yancey meanders casually before delivering yet again.
Review: Reading a Yancey book is always an enjoyable experience for me, because of the conversational tones and quiet and unassuming, yet consistently convicting, insights he reveals. This time around my first impression was that he had missed the mark, a follow up read to finish the book months later gave me an entirely different perspective.

I was originally not impressed with the first several chapters, because while it was insightful as always, it was missing the emotional connection of his previous works, and I felt as though I had "heard this all before". The premise is his delve into the dichotomy of the two worlds Christians live in: one the physical world, a world full of desires, and fleeting and ultimately unimportant wants, and the other a spiritual world where we place our sights on things of immeasurable value from an eternal perspective. Obviously, this is not a new topic, but he looks closely in his usual unique perspective, at the various ways the things we encounter everyday reflect this dichotomy. While interesting, it didn't hit on any emotional cylinders for me, and so I put the book down and moved on without finishing.

Months later, after unpacking from a move, I found the book, and threw it my suitcase to finish on a plane. I picked it up in Chapter 12, where he looks into the life of the famous "Elephant Man". So powerful is the imagery and the contrast between the grotesque outward appearance and horrific treatment he endured and the rich, simple, and deeply loving personality of this man, that the message hit home. How do we "see" that which is real, behind or between the exterior illusions? From then on the book hit wonderful chords and sparked yet again the wonder and soul inspiring visionary impact Yancey is known for.

I quickly read the book again, and the pieces came together. Like all of his work, Yancey creates emotional imagery by juxtaposing a variety of source material and overlaying it on a theme. One powerful illustration was how he feels when returning to "home" after a trip out in the wilderness or to a foreign exotic location: "The first day back, modern culture betrays itself as a self-evident lie, a grotesque parody of the day to day life I know. The next day my reactions moderate. A few days later I am breathing the air of lust, consumerism, selfishness and ambition, and it seems normal". This is a wonderful glimpse at the way the current world obscures the spiritual.

Yancey delivers yet again. Highly recommended, even if you have to start with chapter 12 as I did to get to the heart of the issue. Keep writing Phillip, but perhaps look closer at editing, your work is too good to be discarded by too casual an entrance to such an important subject.

Rating:
Summary: Out of this world!
Review: Rumors of Another World is a book in a class all of its own. Phillip Yancey has taken every day happenings and given them a new perspective. His novel deals with everyday lifes, and the connections to God and spiritual beings.

He brings new views to being a member of God's family by sharing his beliefs and views. He admits to standing on the outside of organized religon and makes the everyday reader feel right at home with his style of writing. Mr. Yancey writes in a conversational tone that makes you feel as though he is standing in front of you.

This is a five star novel in my view point! Great work Mr. Yancey!

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Summary: A book not only for the christian reader
Review: Rumors of Another World is a fascinating book by best-selling author Philip Yancey for anyone who has ever looked around and wondered, "Is this all there is?".Rumors of Another World is brimming with questions, stories, and ideas about the search for "another world".

Unlike other books about faith, Rumors of Another World is honest about the lifelong struggle to believe. "I am where you are", explains the author. "I'm an ordinary person trying to figure this out. I'm a human being and I love, I weep, my friends die, I experience beauty..." Rumors of Another World eavesdrops on this inner dialogue.

Rumors of Another World is a book for anyone who has ever looked around and wondered, "Is this all there is?...There's gotta be something more."

When I first saw this book I thought it was just another christian non-fiction book. After reading through it though, I realize you can use the principles in this book no matter what religion you are.

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Summary: Wonderful Read - Very Thought Provoking
Review: Rumors of Another World is a great book. Philip Yancy gives wonderful thoughts to ponder. In reading Rumors I found that I stopped to notice the majesty of the world around me, the thoughts Rumors provikes makes me feel a little less urgency in my everyday life. Rumors made me look at my life and re-evaluate my priorities. I realized that I was existing, running harried from one crisis to the next. This book made me step back and look at my purpose. Rumors has made me appreciate God in nature, including people.

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Summary: This book will keep you thinkin!!!
Review: Rumors of Another World is a very thought provoking book! I think Yancey writes for people like him, people who have been driven away from organized religion but still feel a void, or people living ordinary lives who can't shake the feeling that there must be something more. This is one of my favorite phrases from this book, "We live among clues, like rescuers sifting through pieces of stained glass shattered by a bomb, and only with a blueprint or some memory of original design can we begin to connect the shards, to assemble them into a pattern that makes sense of our world."

I found the book's website "rumorsofanotherworld.com" very interesting. Has a lot of good information about the author and the book. I would suggest you visit the site and then buy the book.

Rating:
Summary: Thought Provoking
Review: Rumors of Another World is an excellent spiritual book for doubters and wavering unbelievers. All of Yancy's books deserve 5 stars. He is an outstanding writer and his books are easy to read. Right now I am looking at my bookshelf which includes eleven of his books Each one is a masterpiece of Christian writing because of the author's extensive research. As he struggles with common questions of faith in his own life, and discovers answers that satisfy, he shares them with the world and helps provide us with a solid faith foundation.

When I complete a Yancy book, I always have the same feeling "the author must read my mind!" This book probes the fine line between the real world and an invisible world. The insights provided strengthen belief in a creator God.

I recommend his book "I Was Just Wondering" along with this one.

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Summary: Have you heard the rumors?
Review: Surprising this is the first book I have read by the well known Christian author Philip Yancey. After reading this I want to go and get the book The Gift of Pain. If you like apologetics in the style of C.S. Lewis this is the book for you. Not only does it offer that but many interesting stories that really drive home the points Yancey is trying to make. Are you hearing the rumors in everyday life to an eternal spiritual world? Or are you missing them like the natives of Tierra del Fuego who missed Magellan's ships only because they were behind their comprehension. After reading this you will start seeing and hearing the rumors of another world yourself. There is even a chapter that shows how you can even hear a rumor in sex. This is not the usual preachy books that are out there. There is a wonderful chapter on sex found in the book. Totally changed my view points on many subjects. This book also isn't just for the Christian its meant for the "borderlanders" out there. A term the author uses for people who dont visit Christian bookstores or even churches for that matter. A story in the book that really drove home the idea of guilt and its purpose was one of Dorian Gray. Dorian Gray gets a portrait of himself done. One day he thinks that too bad his face will change and get old while this picture will not. So one day he gets his wish instead of his face changing the portrait changes instead. When he lies his mouth in the portrait twists. Well one day Dorian Gray goes up to the attic to look at this picture and finds that it disgusts him so much that he takes a knife and slashes right through the portrait. Later one of the maids finds him up in the attic with a knife right through his own heart. The painting represented his true self so when he faced his true self he killed himself. Driving home the point on how even guilt can be a rumor as well as a gift. From the book I even added a new signature to my emails and its this "When the chess game is over, the pawns, rooks, kings, and queens all go back into the same box."