Walking Away from Faith: Unraveling the Mystery of Belief & Unbelief [Hardcover]

Ruth A. Tucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002

Why do some people lose their faith?Why do some choose to abandon religious beliefs that were once meaningful to them?And what happens when they do?In this no-holds-barred book, Ruth Tucker tackles the tough questions about losing faith. Providing historical perspective, she looks at the stories of prominent Christians, like Chuck Templeton and Billy Graham, who have struggled with faith. She grapples with difficult philosophical and theological issues, exploring the intractable questions that bring people to the point of losing faith--suffering, science, answer to prayer, hypocrisy in the church, and more. Throughout the book, she explores the testimonies of some who have made the choice to walk away--and some who have returned.Tucker writes not just as a detached observer but as one who has also struggled with doubt and disappointment. In Walking Away from Faith, she shares her from her experience and tells you why she continues to choose faith. Reading her story and her interviews of others, you will find help for working through your own questions and doubts. You will also find insight for ministering to your friends, family, coworkers and neighbors who stumble between belief and unbelief.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Tucker (domestic missiology, Calvin Coll. Theological Seminary) has struggled with the intellectual and emotional causes of religious doubt in her own life. Here, she candidly shares the outcome of her struggles and offers case studies of other evangelicals to examine why people lose and rediscover faith. Excellent chapters explore the challenges of history, science, and philosophy, as well as psychological and social issues. In the case studies, people who are happy in their unbelief and people who have returned to faith tell their own stories. Tucker presents the unbelievers' points of view clearly and fairly. Her own responses and suggestions have depth and authenticity. This fascinating glimpse behind the careful facade of the educated fundamentalist provides real help and guidance to those in similar circumstances. Recommended for academic and public libraries. C. Robert Nixon, MLS, Lafayette, IN
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830823328
• ISBN-13: 978-0830823321
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,272,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ruth A. Tucker (PhD, Northern Illinois University) has taught on alternative religions at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Formerly, a professor of missiology at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she is the author of several books, including From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya: Second Edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Disturbing and Uncertain; Just Like Doubt, August 7, 2002

By 

James S. Taylor (Scarborough, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Walking Away from Faith: Unraveling the Mystery of Belief & Unbelief (Hardcover)

This book is disturbing, because it doesn't take the typical "doubt can be good for you, and if you truly believe you'll come back to the faith" route often taken by works on this subject. By the time you finish, you are humbled, as you realize that despite how strong you feel now, you don't know what the future will bring, or what it could do to you. Tucker takes us through three levels of the subject. The first third of the book compares stories of faith and doubt, focusing on the mystery of faith and the anxiety of facing God's silence and hiddeness. The second third surveys the standard problems people encounter in their trials of belief and how they damage faith. I can see some being disappointed with this section, as it does not challenge the issues to the extent they could be, but then Tucker is clear that she's not writing an apologetic work. The final third attempts to clarify common myths Christians have about the quality of life experienced by those who walk away, and attempts to understand the motives of those who've taken that route. It also gives some examples of those who have returned to the faith, and includes a chapter entitled "Answering Doubt and Unbelief," which is actually about the care needed in dealing with those experiencing doubt, rather than answers to what raises those doubts. Due to Tucker's personal encounters with her own doubt and unbelief, she is very sensitive to the mental state and emotions of those going through hard times. Unfortunately, it is this same sesitiveness that will likely leave some readers feeling the work ends on an uncertain tone, caught between the vagueness of faith and doubt, but I think that, for pastoral reasons, that is exactly what she wants the reader to appreciate.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lord, I Believe. Help Me In My Unbelief, July 2, 2003

By 

mjanke - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walking Away from Faith: Unraveling the Mystery of Belief & Unbelief (Hardcover)

Ruth A. Tucker's WALKING AWAY FROM FAITH doesn't pull any punches. Whether we in the church like to admit it or not people do fall away from their faith, and not necessarily due to ignorant reasons. WALKING AWAY FROM FAITH presents their side of the story. It is a personal and sometimes painful read, full of emotion and transparent revelations. Drawing strongly on individual stories, this is a case study on the why's and the how's of the loss of faith. It is not an apologetic work, so when the "why's" are explored a lengthy rebuttal is not given. Rather, WALKING AWAY FROM FAITH focuses on the human side of the equation. It challenges a lot of pre-conceived notions regarding doubt and even presents a surprising picture of life on the other side of the decision to walk away - something that might not want to be heard but in an honest work such as this it is welcome and enlightening. Overall, Tucker does a fine job of exploring the issue from all sides.

The reason this book is so important is that is shines a bright light on an aspect of the Christian life that is too often ignored. Doubt. The reality is that most Christians at one time or another experience doubt of some sort. Usually it will not lead to a loss of faith but even in those instances it can be a very lonely experience. WALKING AWAY FROM FAITH challenges us to be a church that is more honest about these feelings. Tucker repeatedly wonders aloud if the people she interviewed would have chosen differently if the church would've better responded to their doubts and fears. This book will not solve the problems related to loss of faith, but it does graphically demonstrate the need for the church to re-examine its methods when it comes to handling these situations. It should also be a wake up call to Christians on an individual basis, to be more sensitive to instances of doubt in the lives of each other and, more importantly, to be Jesus to the person experiencing those doubts - not to condemn, shun, or spout pat answers. More than likely, at some point in life, we're going to be on the opposite end of that situation. Hopefully when that happens someone will be there for us to walk us through those shadows, and to help us pray, "Lord, I believe. Help me in my unbelief." FOUR 1/2 STARS.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bridged The Gap With My Family, December 2, 2004

By 

J. A. Porter "Ring of Fire" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Walking Away from Faith: Unraveling the Mystery of Belief & Unbelief (Hardcover)

I came across this book at just the right time in my life. For years, I have anguished over my faith (or lack thereof), which put incredible stress on my relationship with my family. They could not conceive how it was possible for me to doubt my faith since I grew up in a committed, Bible-believing family. The relationship grew so hostile and strained that I thought we were finished. Ruth Tucker's book helped bridge the gap. It expressed my struggles with faith in just the right tone and manner. After not speaking to my family for several months, I sent my mother a copy of the book. I think the title scared her at first, but she eventually she picked it up. Ruth Tucker explains the struggle of faith in a way that I couldn't.

I highly recommend this book to Christian families trying to understand the sincere struggles of their black sheep family members.