Faith, Doubt, and Reason

by Brent A R Hege, Paul Valliere (Foreword by)

Overview

Faith, doubt, and reason are universal human faculties, yet they are frequently misunderstood, denigrated, and even abused. What does it mean to have faith, and what distinguishes faith from belief? Can someone have faith without religious commitments? What is doubt, and what is its relationship to faith and belief? How do we make sense of evil and suffering? What roles does reason play in our lives? What do we do when we have the sneaking suspicion that life is absurd? What do we love, and what do we fear? How do faith, doubt, and reason interrelate? Faith, doubt, and reason not only can work together: they must work together if we are to live lives of meaning and purpose. This book explores the significance of these three universal human faculties and the central role they play in our quest for the meaning of life. Drawing on classic texts in theology, philosophy, literature, and the Bible, Faith, Doubt, and Reason invites readers to delve deeply into the quest for the meaning of life in all its ambiguity, mystery, and tragic beauty.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781532683985
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	02/05/2020
Pages:	198
Sales rank:	927,283
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.42(d)

About the Author

Brent Hege is a lecturer in religion, and a Center for Faith and Vocation Scholar in Residence at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of Faith at the Intersection of History and Experience: The Theology of Georg Wobbermin (2009) and Myth, History, and the Resurrection in German Protestant Theology (2017). At Butler he has taught the first-year seminar “Faith, Doubt, and Reason” since 2008.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“How I wish I had a resource like this in my years of parish ministry! Equally valuable to the seeker, the soul in crises, or the longtime church member, Hege embodies the kind of reflective conversation I encouraged in my inquirer’s classes and congregational life. This highly readable, often humorous, yet unflinchingly erudite book reads like a conversation.”

—David P. Schreiber, retired Lutheran pastor



“As a college chaplain, I wish I could put a copy of Brent Hege’s book in the hands of every first-year student. . . . Hege convincingly shows how faith, doubt, and reason must always coexist in creative tension. Along the way, he offers an accessible introduction to some of the weightiest thinkers in this centuries-old conversation.”

—Charles W. Allen, Episcopal priest and chaplain



“A comprehendible, must-read primer for anyone interested in the multifaceted themes of faith, doubt, and reason. Glean wisdom from one of the best with this book, as it will be a welcome challenge and formative influence for lifelong learners.”

—Brittney D. Stephan, Associate Director for Multi-Cultural Vibrancy, Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church



“Not only is the text a tour de force of the philosophical and theological exploration of major questions related to faith, doubt, reason, and their intersections, Dr. Hege does a remarkable job of building an array of bridges between those intellectual pursuits and the often-sidelined aspiration of exploring a life of meaning and purpose. Indeed, all of us who are interested in pursuing a meaningful life should put this book on our reading lists.”

—Daniel Meyers, Director of the Center for Faith and Vocation, Butler University

Editorial Reviews

How I wish I had a resource like this in my years of parish ministry! Equally valuable to the seeker, the soul in crises, or the longtime church member, Hege embodies the kind of reflective conversation I encouraged in my inquirer’s classes and congregational life. This highly readable, often humorous, yet unflinchingly erudite book reads like a conversation.”

—David P. Schreiber, retired Lutheran pastor



“As a college chaplain, I wish I could put a copy of Brent Hege’s book in the hands of every first-year student. . . . Hege convincingly shows how faith, doubt, and reason must always coexist in creative tension. Along the way, he offers an accessible introduction to some of the weightiest thinkers in this centuries-old conversation.”

—Charles W. Allen, Episcopal priest and chaplain



“A comprehendible, must-read primer for anyone interested in the multifaceted themes of faith, doubt, and reason. Glean wisdom from one of the best with this book, as it will be a welcome challenge and formative influence for lifelong learners.”

—Brittney D. Stephan, Associate Director for Multi-Cultural Vibrancy, Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church



“Not only is the text a tour de force of the philosophical and theological exploration of major questions related to faith, doubt, reason, and their intersections, Dr. Hege does a remarkable job of building an array of bridges between those intellectual pursuits and the often-sidelined aspiration of exploring a life of meaning and purpose. Indeed, all of us who are interested in pursuing a meaningful life should put this book on our reading lists.”

—Daniel Meyers, Director of the Center for Faith and Vocation, Butler University

From the Publisher