What is faith and what does it mean to us? No matter what the denominational title or popularity, one fact remains undeniable; every person of any kind of faith today must find within themselves what their faith means to them as well as discovering their own reason for holding their beliefs. Esteemed author of "Joshua" and retired catholic priest Joseph Girzone recounts his own questions, doubts, & perplexities facing his own faith with his latest praiseworthy read aptly titled "My Struggle With Faith".
If you're skeptical of reading a spiritual book written by a priest, possibly under the impression Girzone's book is 29 chapters of a Sunday sermon, the vivaciously surprising structure and substance of book will most likely appease even non Christians alike. He approaches the two thousand year old theology with many questions all of us ask sometime in our lifetimes; from questioning if God exists or just who really was Jesus. His unique down-to-earth frankness, in which no subject affecting the church today is not touched upon; from fundamental spiritual questioning of how the Universe was created to contemporary church issues such as priest celibacy or marriage and divorce, are of invaluably important to be addressed in the modern day age.
Captivating and clear cut, Father Girzone's book is easy to read and asks provocative questions about our faith today. His questioning and deepened understanding of his faith will undoubtedly awaken you to understand yours. If we begin to address our own questions or demurrals it will strengthen the conviction of why we believe at all.
Prior to reading My Struggle with Faith, I had been familiar with the "Joshua" character by Father Girzone. I came to learn about this book through an excerpt appearing in another publication, which piqued my interest in purchasing this book. I had also read some online comments (both good and bad) about Girzone and his other works and thought I'd experience him on my own.
The book is not for everyone, especially not for those who don't like their age-old beliefs challenged. Girzone brings many thought-provoking questions (and good answers) to the discussion. He explores his questions in ways that aren't available to many Christians, namely, through extensive examination of Scripture, the early Fathers, even Reformation writings, and finally his own experience.
The chapters are nicely organized and the book progresses along a steady pace from early issues in childhood through the more complicated challenges in his priesthood and ministry, and those which face all of us in this day and age.
The best advice is to approach the book with an open mind and let Girzone take you where he wants you to go. You can decide later if that is where you need to be. Even if it isn't, the next leg of the journey might be the exact turning point you were looking for! That kept me going throughout.
The book helped me recognize that I have not been traveling on a well-worn path, but it has been, at least, a path on which others have journeyed. That reassurance came at an opportune time for me. His descriptions of his experiences hit home with me - often the exact thoughts I had had.
My take-away from the book is that we are all on our way to "The Way." The frustrations he experienced along his way to The Way enabled me to examine my own frustrations in a new light, and to put in perspective the challenges facing the people I encounter each day.
