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The Grand Paradox: The Messiness of Life, the Mystery of God and the Necessity of Faith Hardcover – February 3, 2015

by Ken Wytsma (Author), Eugene Cho (Foreword)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 99 ratings
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If we were made for relationship with God, why do we often feel lost and distant from Him?

The life of Christian faith is and always has been a beautifully awkward reality. Following Jesus is done&;can only be done&;in the messiness of this world into which we were all born. Yet many Christians expect the walk of faith to be easier, neater, and relatively devoid of hassles.

So perhaps it&;s time for a frank conversation about the true nature of Christian faith. Maybe there are many desperately in need of a clear dialogue about how&;despite living in a turbulent, chaotic world&;our greatest joy is found in our pursuit of God.

In The Grand Paradox, Ken Wytsma seeks to help readers understand that although God can be mysterious, He is in no way absent.

  • God&;s ways are contradictory and counter to the way the world tells us to pursue happiness.
  • Doubt is okay, it will accompany in the life of faith.
  • What looks like struggle can actually be the most important and meaningful season of our lives.

This book is an exploration of the art of living by faith. It is a book for all those wrestling with the paradoxes that confront those who seek to walk with Christ. It&;s an honest look at how faith works, here and now, in our culture, our time&;and how to put down real roots and flourish in the midst of our messy lives.

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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Thomas Nelson Inc
  4. Publication date
    February 3, 2015
  5. Dimensions
    6.25 x 1 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0849964679
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0849964671
  8. See all details
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Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In The Grand Paradox, Ken Wytsma talks about actual faith, not idealized faith. The faith of which he speaks is not only for our messy world but also of our messy world--while yet trusting and revealing God. Thoroughly honest, never evasive, free of clichés, deeply Christian, encouraging rather than scolding in its tone, it is the most perceptive and helpful discussion of faith that I know of."--NICHOLAS WOLTERSTORFF, Noah Porter Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology, Yale University, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, University of Virginia

"Grounded in examples from scripture and life experiences, his honest exploration of the questions and doubts Christians have speaks to both newer believers who might not fully understand their faith, and also to longtime followers who have gotten off track or are looking to understand why they believe." --PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

From the Inside Flap

THE PARADOX OF LIVING IN A BROKEN WORLD can grab our attention dramatically as we go through life, experiencing disappointment, enduring tragedy, and surviving disaster. We're too wise and too jaded for cheap answers, promises of The American Dream, and religious quick fixes--they don't really satisfy us. Instead, they leave us desperate for something solid, hoping for a more sure foundation upon which to build our lives. Our hope can't simply be in controlling our present circumstances; if we are going to live lives of meaning and purpose, we're going to have to learn how to embrace The Grand Paradox: Life is messy and God is mysterious, but yet there is a way to follow Christ, develop a relationship with God, and pursue the happiness and joy we all long to experience.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas Nelson Inc (February 3, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0849964679
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0849964671
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 99 ratings

About the author

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Ken Wytsma

Ken Wytsma

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Ken Wytsma is a church planter, entrepreneur, and teacher who has taught on philosophy, creativity, and justice. He helped found an innovative college teaching students from around the world what it means to think theologically about creativity, leadership, and social justice. Ken also founded The Justice Conference--with conferences and expressions in eight countries over the past decade exposing thousands of men and women to organizations and conversations related to justice and the biblical call to give our lives away. Ken lives in Newberg, Oregon, with his wife, Tamara, and their four daughters.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
99 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides balanced and holistic views on faith and life. They find it well-written and accessible, with good content that is easy to understand and apply. The practical steps presented are easy for customers to take.

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FaithReadabilityAccessibility
17 customers mention "Faith"17 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's balanced insights on the life of faith. They find it thoughtful and enjoy the thoughtful subject and scripture selections. The book provides great insight on the human condition and how Christianity done right provides the answers we need. Readers mention that the book is honest, vulnerable, and poignant, though some feel there are no answers in the first few chapters.

"...throw in Pascal's Wager and how can you not conclude that this is a nuanced and provocative read?..." Read more

"...that we can take to help our faith walk such as: remembering and reciting past works of God, being obedient despite feelings, praying authentically,..." Read more

"...of doubt, depression or struggle, Ken offers helpful insight to keep moving forward in faith...." Read more

"I appreciated the honesty and the “you won’t find answers here” candor in the first few chapters...." Read more

10 customers mention "Readability"10 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They say it's well-written, accessible, and has good content. Many mention it's a great read and worth reading again.

"...It is well-written, accessible, and has good content, but is not unlike anything I haven't already read in Relevant Magazine, Christianity Today, or..." Read more

"...This is worth reading and re-reading." Read more

"...Still worth a read." Read more

"...A perfect book to read in a group or with a close and trusted friend!" Read more

3 customers mention "Accessibility"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book accessible and well-written. They appreciate the easy, practical steps that can help.

"...It is well-written, accessible, and has good content, but is not unlike anything I haven't already read in Relevant Magazine, Christianity Today, or..." Read more

"...I was also surprised by easy, practical steps that we can take to help our faith walk such as: remembering and reciting past works of God, being..." Read more

"...Some of the things presented are easily understood and accepted. Other things require much thought and consideration." Read more

An important book for many reasons
5 out of 5 stars
An important book for many reasons
Ken is the most authentic preacher that I have met. He shares his life in a thought provoking, honest way that is far too scarce in much of Christianity. I highly recommend reading his book as well as getting to know him in person. Your life will be much richer if you do.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • pamiam
    5.0 out of 5 stars I tried to read The Grand Paradox on my Kindle ...
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I tried to read The Grand Paradox on my Kindle but quickly decided I needed a book so I could comment, underline and assign stars or checks at will. I have interacted with this book more than anything I've read in a long time, found some of it remarkably fitting for the chronological way I've experienced life as a Christian. I've been to those churches, read those books, listened to those speakers who promised certain things if I only had faith, donated this much, read this book or attended this seminar. Somewhere sometime long ago, I too concluded that life was messy and that God was indeed mysterious. I hope other readers sigh with relief while absorbing these conclusions.
    This is a book that challenges the reader to consider and reconsider what we've longed believed and perhaps what we long to believe.
    I appreciated the author's own personal stories blended with hearty doses of C. S. Lewis and Kierkegaard, inspiring stories of Teddy and Eleanor Roosevelt, add some Catch 22 and throw in Pascal's Wager and how can you not conclude that this is a nuanced and provocative read?
    As someone who started a book club at church with ground rules that we not read many Christian books since so many are so poorly written, I was relieved to find what I expected with this book. Wytsma displays his intellectual grasp of church history and integrates his philosophical training with tender encouragement toward honesty and maturity. Bravo.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Andrew Doty
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fair but trite (to me)
    Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    In the context of my learning and what I already know, I would give this book a 3 star rating. It is well-written, accessible, and has good content, but is not unlike anything I haven't already read in Relevant Magazine, Christianity Today, or from Donald Miller. However, I am giving this book a 4 star rating because I believe that it would be beneficial for more people in the Church to be fluent and influenced by this perspective.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Ace Freely
    5.0 out of 5 stars I was also surprised by easy, practical steps that we can take to help ...
    Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This book has really meant a lot to me. It gives real hope in times of suffering and confusion by focusing attention on the trustworthiness of Christ. I was also surprised by easy, practical steps that we can take to help our faith walk such as: remembering and reciting past works of God, being obedient despite feelings, praying authentically, etc.. Ive grown tired of the trappings of books that promise 6 steps to this spiritual breakthrough or 12 minutes to that life change. This book doesnt promise instant, greater faith, but it does give a biblical and philosophically mature perspective on lasting growth. This is worth reading and re-reading.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Darcy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Like others, I got burned out in the social ...
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I cannot say enough about this book. If you’re going through any season of doubt, depression or struggle, Ken offers helpful insight to keep moving forward in faith. I had been struggling with doubt and depression for quite for some time before reading this book. Like others, I got burned out in the social justice space. Ken's book brought life and faith back in there proper place and helped me climb out of my little hole. Some things we won't know this side of heaven, other things are meant for searching out. The Grand Paradox is a great road map for working through the complexities of life. This book lands in my top 5. Thanks Ken.
    Scott P
    One person found this helpful
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  • Joshua Ayers
    3.0 out of 5 stars Honest, but light
    Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I appreciated the honesty and the “you won’t find answers here” candor in the first few chapters. But, then the latter half of the book fell into the same old verse-quoting, niceties that we’ve been telling ourselves for centuries that always leave us looking for more. Maybe that was the point? I just expected something a bit more intellectually honest and perhaps something to help put some structure the questions we all have. Still worth a read.
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  • cheyenne goff
    4.0 out of 5 stars Leaning on Lewis
    Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I'm a huge CS Lewis fan...and apparently, so is Wytsma. No bother, though, for as much as his writing reminds me (and references) the great writer, it is still poignant and rich with observations that cause you to take pause and consider how it can or does apply to your own life. The depth of the investigation into how reality often frustrates the picture of Christian living is so rewarding because it meets all of us who attempt it right where we are; somewhere between giving up & giving in and accepting that the trials we encounter in life can be used (and are perhaps purposed) by God to bring us out with a stronger faith on the other side.
    One person found this helpful
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  • James Franciamore
    5.0 out of 5 stars On point
    Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Never heard of this guy before. But that is the beauty of it. God never makes it about the messenger it is about the message. The Holy Spirit sent me a comforting message about walking by faith through this book. I love the way Ken took thought that can be confusing and brought a clarity that is wrapped in the certain uncertainty of our Christian Faith. Let us trust in God’s Plan.
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  • K. Michaelsen
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Reality Check of Faith
    Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Ken has wrestled the reality in which we live into sync with the mystery of God's existence in the most authentic way I have ever read. Meshing that with how a life of Faith is lived in the midst of that "tension", as he so aptly calls it, gives a foundation for everyday living beyond the silly, pat, not-in-tune-the-real-world drivel so often dished out to people from most authors. Can't recommend this book highly enough for anyone but most especially for those that have reached their limit of empty volumes of worthless words.
    One person found this helpful
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