Why Faith Matters is an articulate defense of religion in America. It makes the case for faith and shows its relationship to history and science. Refuting the cold reason of atheists and the hatred of fanatics with a vision of religion informed by faith, love, and understanding, Rabbi David J. Wolpe follows in a literary tradition that stretches from Cardinal Newman to C. S. Lewis to Thomas Merton—individuals of faith who brought religion and culture together in their own works. Wolpe takes readers through the origins and nature of faith, the role of the Bible in modern life, and the compatibility of God and science, concluding with a powerful argument for the place of God, faith, and religion in today's world.
Why Faith Matters
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Book Description
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Rabbi Wolpe (Making Loss Matter) joins the throngs of authors responding to the new atheists with defenses of faith. Yet rather than tense up about atheism, its defenders and their dismissive attitudes about people of faith, Wolpe answers these challenges with such kindness and thoughtfulness that even the heart of Christopher Hitchens might find itself warmed. Wolpe does not make his case for faith by hiding the darkest moments of Western traditions. Rather, he shines a light on religion's deepest scars—for instance spending a good deal of time discussing the relationship between religion and violence—while at the same time showing how religions have also (almost) always been a force of good in the world. (Take Christianity's extraordinary response to the tsunami in Indonesia, Wolpe explains.) With gentle, wonderfully engaging prose, Wolpe scrolls through history and shows how faith traditions don't offer easy, simplistic answers for the intellectually weak, as the New Atheists imply. More often than not, religion sparks believers to ask even more difficult questions, while at the same time building a platform on which to live under a canopy of hope. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From the Back Cover
Why Faith Matters is an articulate defense of religion in America. It makes the case for faith and shows its relationship to history and science. Refuting the cold reason of atheists and the hatred of fanatics with a vision of religion informed by faith, love, and understanding, Rabbi David J. Wolpe follows in a literary tradition that stretches from Cardinal Newman to C. S. Lewis to Thomas Merton—individuals of faith who brought religion and culture together in their own works. Wolpe takes readers through the origins and nature of faith, the role of the Bible in modern life, and the compatibility of God and science, concluding with a powerful argument for the place of God, faith, and religion in today's world.
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
David Wolpe writes of Faith with eyes wide open, displaying both honesty and wonder. He reminds us of the humanizing gifts of faith with thoughtful quotes, stories, and erudition. For instance, I was unaware of historian Edward Gibbon's critic of Christianity, with its emphasis on peace, as the cause of the demise of the Roman Empire. Rabbi Wolpe writes personally, revealing his own health crises and how those encounters with vulnerability opened him to the power of prayer and the presence of a Divine, caring Being. Last, he writes with humility, acknowledging that religious questions are never answered completely and that wrestling with the questions is the ongoing homework of our lives. Why Faith Matters? has mattered to me, deepening my own exploration of what it means to believe and to live with faith.
28 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By J. Ansel
Format:Hardcover
Like many Americans, I have endured at various times in my life periods of faith and doubt in the existence of God. I was surprised to read that in his youth, Rabbi Wolpe also was a practicing atheist. So, from the beginning of the book it was easy to equally consider the arguments in favor of faith, knowing that Rabbi Wolpe contemplated these issues on a personal level, too.
While his writing is cerebral, the book is an easy read of an incredibly difficult subject. The book will help those with faith re-affirm their connection to their God, and for those without, the book will force you to seriously reflect on just who holds the tiller of your moral rudder. Without qualms, Rabbi Wolpe raises arguments about the importance of a religious component to your life.
His most poignant point may be the role that organized religion plays as a check and balance to government. Rabbi Wolpe does not take the unsupportable position that religious institutions are infallible. In fact, he openly acknowledges that just like out of control governments can wreak havoc, so can out of control religion. But his overall case that the scales of goodness ultimately tip in the favor of belief in God is compelling.
While his writing is cerebral, the book is an easy read of an incredibly difficult subject. The book will help those with faith re-affirm their connection to their God, and for those without, the book will force you to seriously reflect on just who holds the tiller of your moral rudder. Without qualms, Rabbi Wolpe raises arguments about the importance of a religious component to your life.
His most poignant point may be the role that organized religion plays as a check and balance to government. Rabbi Wolpe does not take the unsupportable position that religious institutions are infallible. In fact, he openly acknowledges that just like out of control governments can wreak havoc, so can out of control religion. But his overall case that the scales of goodness ultimately tip in the favor of belief in God is compelling.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Jerry Marcus
Format:Hardcover
David Wolpe understands the words of Tennyson: "There lives more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds.
At the same time, Wolpe understands the power of faith and gives comfort to those who make the leap of faith.
Truly a Renaissance man, Wolpe has the extraordinary ability to inspire readers to be introspective, which is a key to our essence and existence. His knowledge of history, philosophy, psychology and theology, and various other belief systems, is obvious in his presentation.
I believe that all people who are open to enhancing their self-awareness, and to considering varied ideas about faith, should read "Why Faith Matters." Even for those who are rightly skeptical about some of the author's assertions, and who might not be comfortable with certain of his approaches, Wolpe is still a very serious and important thinker who deserves our consideration. (Reviewed by Jerry Marcus, author of four novels, including The Salvation Peddler and Broken Trust - The Murder Of Basketball Star Jack Molinas.)
At the same time, Wolpe understands the power of faith and gives comfort to those who make the leap of faith.
Truly a Renaissance man, Wolpe has the extraordinary ability to inspire readers to be introspective, which is a key to our essence and existence. His knowledge of history, philosophy, psychology and theology, and various other belief systems, is obvious in his presentation.
I believe that all people who are open to enhancing their self-awareness, and to considering varied ideas about faith, should read "Why Faith Matters." Even for those who are rightly skeptical about some of the author's assertions, and who might not be comfortable with certain of his approaches, Wolpe is still a very serious and important thinker who deserves our consideration. (Reviewed by Jerry Marcus, author of four novels, including The Salvation Peddler and Broken Trust - The Murder Of Basketball Star Jack Molinas.)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Thoughtful and inviting. If you ever find yourself wondering about faith - this book will provide you with some answers. Good reading.
Published 1 month ago by George
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Buy
Great! I havent finished this book, but I WILL buy more from this author. It is down to earth. Shalom.
Published 3 months ago by sarah
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazed
I heard Rabbi Wolpe speak at an award ceremony for a dear friend, ordered the book before I left the building. Powerful, insightful read. Read more
Published 3 months ago by sarge
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific read
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this work. There were many points throughout the work that caused me to stop and wonder - all positive! Read more
Published 3 months ago by Frank D. Adams
4.0 out of 5 stars
why faith matters
Thought provoking.Its stupid to require you to put a review of eighteen words. I am not a damn book critic.
Published 5 months ago by sally
2.0 out of 5 stars
Give it a miss
This book is not so great. And this is actually the second book that I've read by this author this week. (The first one was "Why Be Jewish? Read more
Published 5 months ago by Lemas Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rave notice
Rabbi Wolpe was unknown to me until I heard about him from an Anglican Dominican. I liked what I read in his blog and decided to try this book. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Hunt17
4.0 out of 5 stars
Perhaps the Best of its Kind
I watched a couple of debates featuring David Wolpe and felt that his approach to religion and faith mirrored my own in many ways. I promptly borrowed this title from the library. Read more
Published 17 months ago by stevenhorr
5.0 out of 5 stars
book that keeps giving
"Why Faith Matters" should be read by every believer and non-believer. I have given this book to at leaste 15 friends and have never had a negative response. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Frank A. May
5.0 out of 5 stars
Experience - The Best Teacher
Rabbi David Wolpe has hardly reached middle age (by today's standards), yet he's experienced, struggled with, and overcome enormous challenges to his faith in God. Read more
Published on April 4, 2011 by Polly
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