Disillusionment | Reading for Inspiration

Joseph Loconte, author of The Searchers A Quest for Faith in the Valley of Doubt, uses literature, film, philosphy, history, and politics to examine the story of the Emmaus walk when two friends meet a stranger and begin the search for the truth in a world of madness, hatred, and doubt. Loconte challenges the reader to thoroughly investigate his/her beliefs by pushing him/her to analyze Scripture in a manner that is fully immersed. No more can the reader hold onto beliefs that have not been fully investigated and analyzed. In our world of confusing and unsettling violence, many question God and His allowance of this evil. However, Loconte uses all of the genres to push the reader to come to a better understanding of who God is and why He allows the evil.

Christianity Today states “This is a good book to give to someone who is looking at faith from the outside, but it will also be helpful to believers who have been led to expect tidy answers and neat resolutions and have come up hard against disappointment, absurdity, and loss.” I would have to agree with that analysis. Pick up a copy for yourself (put it on the coffee table after you read it!) and one for a friend or neighbor!

I received this book free for review from booksneeze.com.

In my lifeftime, I have had questions about faith, God, His will for my life, and the big one – why does God allow suffering in the world. It is hard to reconcile the loving God with the violence, starvation, hatred, and desperation found around the world. I, as well as many others, question how can God allow this to happen and yet expect me to only believe in His love and blessing. Andrea Palpant Dilley, author of Faith and Other Flat Tires: AMemoir Searching for God on the Rough Road of Doubt, travelled this path as well. Dilley had been born into a missionary family who served as Quaker medical missionaries in East Africa during the first six years of her life. By age twenty-one, Dilley was facing that road of doubt over the dysfunctionality of the church, the perceived silence of God, and the age-old question of suffering.

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This story is her story. Her story of doubt, questions, searching, and her journey of being a Christian refugee. Her journey is similar to many others including myself. She pushed the limits of what she had held sacred, she clung to the fleeting security of men, and she questioned everyone about their faith. This story is also about her journey back to the security of God and the outpouring of His blessings. I found her book to be truthful and upfront about the struggles of many to reconcile the church, God, and the world – especially the younger generation. Her chapters are not too long and keep the reader interested in the next marker on her journey – whether that marker be an obstacle or an insight.

If you are facing that rough road of doubt, or know someone who is, then this book is for you. I received this book free for review from Handlebar Marketing and I would like to offer it free to a reader of my blog. Please leave a comment on my blog and I will choose a winner using Random.org.