How Can I Find God?: The Famous and the Not-So-Famous Consider the Quintessential Question

by James Martin (Editor)

This vibrant collection brings together an array of voices addressing the question of how one might approach the search for God. With contributors from many faith traditions, this book will be of value to all who are seeking to answer the question, "How Can I Find God?"

Contributors include:
Sr. Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking
Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Archbishop of Chicago
Huston Smith, bestselling author and authority on world religions
Mimi Kennedy; actress, wife, mother, and author
Myles V. Whalen, Jr.; a successful corporate attorney
Mary Higgins Clark, top-selling woman suspense writer
The Children of St. Thomas School
Hon. Paul Simon, United State Senator
and many more.

Includes a glossary to explain names and phrases from various religious traditions that may be unfamiliar to readers.

Genres: Spirituality, Theology, Religion

Paperback

First published May 22, 1997

About the author

James Martin, SJ is a Jesuit priest, writer, editor at large of the Jesuit magazine America, and consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.

Fr. Martin grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, United States, and attended Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business in 1982 and worked in corporate finance at General Electric for six years. Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he entered the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and after completing his Jesuit training (which included studies in philosophy and theology, as well as full time-ministry) was ordained a priest in 1999. He received his Master's in Divinity (M.Div.) and Master's in Theology (Th.M.) from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now part of Boston College).

During his Jesuit training, Martin worked in a hospital for the seriously ill and a homeless shelter in Boston, with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in Jamaica, with street-gang members in Chicago, in a prison in Boston, and for two years with East African refugees in Nairobi, Kenya, with the Jesuit Refugee Service. In addition to his work at America magazine, Fr. Martin has written or edited more than 15 books, most of which are about spirituality and religion. He is a frequent commentator on religion and spirituality and has appeared on all the major networks, served as an expert commentator for ABC for the papal conclave that elected Pope Francis, and has written for many outlets, including the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Father Martin's best known books The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything (2010) and Jesus: A Pilgrimage were both New York Times bestsellers; My Life with the Saints was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book; and all three were winners of the Christopher Award.

He has received over 15 honorary degrees from Catholic colleges and universities, and in 2017 Pope Francis appointed him as consultor to the Vatican's Secretariat for Communication.

Reviews

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several dozen people from a variety of religious and professional backgrounds (all except 2 living in the U.S.) write a brief response to the question, “If a friend asked you how they might find God, what would you say?” The responses were expected: in the kindness of others and the beauty of nature, through relationships with loved ones and caring for those in need, in communal rituals and private prayer, by the reading of sacred texts and through silence.

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obvious note to self: don't read two books of short religious essays by an educated class of mostly lay people. Though a few essays made me catch my breath -- Mimi Kennedy, a tv actress who noted that 'Failure to nurture is a sin of omission', Richard P. O'Brien, a theologian who stated that Orthodox Christians and agnostics have more in common than much of evangelical Christianity because they believe that god can only be found indirectly, not directly through personal revelation...or something...it was good, a few succinct rabbinical views, Albert White Hat who stressed the Native American importance of finding god through your family, and of course Kathleen Norris, duh.

Anyways, finding God in others, knowing he'll find you whether you want him to or not, in a way this was a fascinating concept, albeit with too much editorial control. Knock it off brainy progressiveish Catholic types! Don't make God-talk into your own image! Kthx!

[Rob · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't so much a front to back book, as much as it is a collection of essays and interviews of religious scholars, pastors, and spiritualists. Each is short and succinct, enough to read in one sitting quite easily.

The collection itself was lacking in depth. Much of it abstract, I found it hard to walk away with so much a thought, and barely any feeling.

There were some gems, but overall I could look elsewhere for any kind of nourishing texts on god.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent quick read with thoughtful insights for reflection and contemplation.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent source to read, reflect, and act in our eternal quest to be with God.