Night of the Confessor: Christian Faith in an Age of Uncertainty

by Tomáš Halík

Tomas Halik is a wise guide for the post-Christian era, and never more so than in his latest work, a thought-provoking and powerful reflection on the relationship between faith, paradox, change, and resurrection.
As the challenges of cultural secularization and dwindling congregation size confront religious communities across North America and Europe, and the Catholic Church in particular, Tomas Halik is a prophetic voice of hope. He has lived through the political oppression and intolerance of religion that defined Communist Czechoslovakia, and he draws from this experience to remind readers that not only does crisis lead to deeper understanding but also that any living religion is a changing religion. The central messages of Christianity have always seemed impossible, from peace and forgiveness in the face of a harsh world to love and self-sacrifice despite human selfishness to the victory of resurrection through the defeat of the cross. Acceptance of paradox therefore is the way forward, Halik explains. It is a difficult way that offers an unclear immediate future, but it is ultimately the only honest way.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Czech Literature, Christianity

ebook

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Tomáš Halík is a Czech public intellectual, Roman Catholic priest, and scholar.

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book, especially for people who are in a crisis of faith, disappointed and disillusioned by all the evil in the world and in the church.

The author obviously has seen all that too, and spoken with many people in profound suffering, and has seen the shallowness of enthusiastic, but superficial, 'revivals'. And yet, he has kept hope, he has refound a faith that is patient, that rises from the ashes of total failure, and keeps hoping.

I especially loved the most personal chapters, 13 on the death of pope John Paul whom he had known, and the last chapter, 16, on the 'second breath' of faith.

In this last chapter he speaks about a community of the 'shocked'. We need to be shocked first by all the failures, and then again by the new hope. I'd gladly belong to that community, as I am equally sick and tired of all the forced optimism of people who protect themselves from being shocked by ignoring all the suffering people around them.

I fully agree with the last words, that what we need most in our time, is hope.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoy his way of writing

[Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Today, I am reviewing the book Night of the Confessor: Christian Faith in an Age of Uncertainty by Tomas Halik. This is the first book that I received as part of the Blogging for Books program. It's a pretty sweet deal. They send you a free book, and all you have to do is give it an honest review.

Tomas Halik is a Czech priest, who was clandestinely ordained a priest due to Communism being rampant at the time. Blessed Pope John Paul II appointed him as an advisor to the Pontifical Council for Dialogue with Non-Believers and in 2009, Pope Benedict XVI granted him the title of Monsignor - Honorary Prelate of His Holiness. So it seems like this priest would know his stuff, and would be a good read.

Unfortunately, the book is near impossible to read. I'm not sure if it is because the book was translated from Czech to English, and there was something to be desired in the translation or if Msgr. Halik is just too smart and scholarly for writing, but this book was dense, dry, and tough to read. Perhaps, it that each chapter is its own essay, and it's hard to get the full effect of an essay reading it.

I do however agree with and like the overall message of the book, and that is that Christianity is a paradox. We must die to live, loving those who persecute you, and decreasing to let the Father increase. These paradoxes and others are the underlying themes in the book, which Msgr. Halik echoed in every chapter and which he also believes are the only way worth living in our culture.

I would like to recommend this book to the average reader, but I simply cannot. My review and ultimate rating is not meant to reflect negatively on the book, because I think the advanced reader might get more out of this book than I did. So while I am giving this book 3 out of 5 stars, I feel like I am more giving myself 3 out of 5 stars. Check out my other reviews at stuartsstudy.blogspot.com

[Tristan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author made some good points, though it wasn’t an approachable read at all—detracting from the experience. It felt like he was reaching for the thesaurus to convey some topics that didn’t need to read like a dissertation. I appreciate the academic approach to Christianity and the depths he was willing to go to really prove the relationship between the metaphysical and theological, but the jargon was just OD.

[Marije van der Poel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halík weet als geen ander de ziektes van onze tijd te duiden en handreikingen tot heling te bieden, zonder in te boeten op de diepte van het mysterie Gods. Nacht van de Biechtvader heeft eindeloos op mijn nachtkastje gelegen: ik vond het soms best pittig en ik heb meerdere stukken opnieuw moeten lezen om het goed tot me door te laten dringen... maar o wat zijn ze me lief, die scherpe (en soms hilarische) observeringen, rake analyses en diepe inzichten van mijn lievelingstheoloog.

"Als we de teugels durven loslaten die niets sturen, maar die integendeel juist ons voortdurend meeslepen - door onze angsten en eigendunk, onze bespottelijke en tegelijk gevaarlijke grootheidswaanzin, dwaasheid en ijdelheid -, als we onze vermeende functie van bevelhebber van de kosmos opgeven, voelen we een enorme opluchting. Nederigheid en waarheid bevrijden en helen. (...) Ik leer om de dingen met vreugde uit handen te geven in de wetenschap dat 'je niet alles kunt zijn': alleen God is een wezen dat al zijn mogelijkheden geheel waarmaakt. God versmalt mijn weg en daarmee staat Hij mij toe om (hopelijk) steeds beter te begrijpen wat Hij werkelijk van mij wil, wat ik niet kan overlaten aan iemand anders: eenvoudigweg [mijzelf] te zijn." (85-86)

"Ik herinner me het bevrijdende moment toen ik begreep dat het perspectivisme - dat wil zeggen het inzicht dat we allemaal uit ons beperkte perspectief kijken en niet het geheel zien - geen goedkoop relativisme is. De waarheid is een boek dat niemand van ons tot het einde toe heeft gelezen. Daaruit vloeit in het geheel niet voort dat ik dat wat mij eigen is, wat ik vanuit mijn positie zie - mijn traditie, mijn geloof - daarom als minder serieus zou moeten beschouwen of dat ik mijn ervaring niet aan anderen mag meedelen of aanbieden. Ik zie alleen geen reden waarom ik haatdragend zou moeten zijn tegenover mensen die de werkelijkheid anders zien. (...) Ik wijs de tegenwoordig zo populaire frase dat 'alle godsdiensten eigenlijk hetzelfde en even waardevol zijn', resoluut af. Geen mens heeft het recht een dergelijk gedurfd - en tegelijk zo lachwekkend oppervlakkig - oordeel uit te spreken. Degene die dat zegt, stelt zich namelijk onwillekeurig op een goddelijke positie boven alles." (95-96)

"Ik ben van mening dat zowel de 'modernisten' als de 'traditionalisten' de rol van de uiterlijke institutionele vormen van de kerk overschatten. (...) Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat de 'redding van de kerk' niet van rechts of links komt, niet uit het verleden, als we daarin zouden vluchten, niet uit de toekomst, als we die naar onze eigen voorstellingen zouden willen plannen, niet 'van boven' als een deus ex machina. Een positieve verandering kan alleen komen uit de diepte, uit een diepgaande theologische en spirituele vernieuwing." (113)

"Bidden betekent beseffen dat ik gezien word. Het besef dat je leeft in 'niet-verborgenheid' (herinneren we ons dat dat de precieze vertaling van het Griekse woord voor waarheid is) maakt je anders." (127)

"'Allahoe akbar' - God is groot, groter klinkt het in zoveel delen van de wereld meerdere keren per dag uit de monden van onze miljarden moslimbroeders en moslimzusters. 'Er is geen godheid dan God', zo begint deze belijdenis. Er is geen godheid dan God! Het is nodig om in alle windrichtingen samen en hardop te zeggen: In de storm en orkaan van het geweld is God niet! In de aardbevingen van etnische, politieke, religieuze en rassenhaat en van onverdraagzaamheid is God niet! God is alleen in 'het gefluister van een zachte bries' - in de vredestichters die het land zullen bezitten. God is niet in de vernietigende golven van tsunami's en andere natuurrampen, maar in de golven van solidariteit met de lijdenden. Er bestaat geen heilige oorlog - alleen vrede is heilig. Als we allemaal zouden handelen volgens het principe 'oog om oog', zou de hele wereld snel blind zijn. We moeten eens en voor altijd de gevaarlijke spiraal van wraak doorbreken. De logica van 'wat jij mij doet, doe ik ook jou' is niet voldoende voor het herstel van onze gezamenlijke wereld. We moeten de logica 'zoals God mij doet, zo doe ik ook jou' leren, de weg van vergeving en verzoening." (161)

"Het kwam me altijd vreemd of zelfs komisch voor, wanneer de christelijke visie van het eeuwige leven wordt aangeduid als een 'kruk' en 'goedkope troost'. Volgens het christelijke geloof wacht ons aan de andere kan van de poort van de dood immers eerst Gods oordeel. Is integendeel niet die voorstelling een 'goedkope troost' dat alles eindigt met de dood en dat we aan niemand verantwoording schuldig zijn voor ons leven? Als we echter serieus nemen wat het evangelie over Jezus zegt, dan mogen we ons bij zijn oordeel werkelijk iets heel anders voorstellen dan een 'kwelling voor hen die zich hebben misdragen'. Christus is de waarheid, en het ons in het licht van deze waarheid stellen - in de evangelietaal betekent waarheid, aletheia, 'niet-verborgenheid' - moet daadwerkelijk het hoogtepunt van onze weg zijn: eindelijk een keer de hele en werkelijke waarheid over jezelf te weten komen, over je leven en over alles wat daarbij hoort. Eindelijk de 'oplossing' horen die ons in de wirwar van onbeantwoorde vragen, vergissingen en complexe raadsels steeds ontging. Het hoort bij het eschatologische karakter van ons geloof om dingen open te laten, niet te oordelen. (...) Ik hoef geen tijd en energie te verliezen met het beoordelen en veroordelen van de wereld om ons heen: immers 'de heerser over deze wereld is veroordeeld'. De hoop dat niet wij, maar de waarheid zelf het laatste woord zal hebben, is mij altijd voorgekomen als zeer bevrijdend." (171)

"We leven in de 'postmoderne tijd die wordt gekarakteriseerd als een periode waarin alle 'grote verhalen' eindigen. Het is echter tegelijk ook de tijd waarin veel verhalen die in ons culturele geheugen zijn opgeslagen, terugkeren in een nieuwe interpretatie, ingebed in een nieuwe context. Laten we inspiratie putten uit het verhaal over de Emmaüsgangers: laten we ons niet alleen tevredenstellen met mechanische verwijzingen 'terug' naar de Schrift en de traditie, maar laten we opnieuw en dieper naar dit verhaal luisteren, het opnieuw en dieper interpreteren in een nieuwe context. Jezus vertelt op weg naar Emmaüs het 'grote verhaal van de Bijbel' opnieuw, Hij herinterpreteert het. Hij interpreteert het in relatie tot de actuele situatie en de gemoedsgesteldheid van de pelgrims, als een antwoord op hun vragen - en daarmee herinterpreteert Hij ook hun situatie van dat moment." (177-178)

"Sinds de val van het naïeve metafysische realisme, waarop een bepaald soort verstarde moderne theologie stoelde, net als sinds de val van het positivistische concept van wetenschap en wetenschappelijke kennis, verkeren we in een situatie van conflicterende interpretaties. Ik sluit me hier volledig aan bij het 'postmoderne' denken dat de moderne verdeling van de werkelijkheid in 'subjectief' en 'objectief' afwijst, en de pluraliteit van perspectieven op de wereld serieus neemt. De werkelijkheid staat voor ons als een onuitputtelijk geheim, vol paradoxen, open voor tal van alternatieve interpretaties. Welke interpretatie we kiezen, is onze keus, ons risico, onze verantwoordelijkheid. Als we echter de interpretatie van de wereld kiezen die ik met het woord geloof aanduid, wacht ons een grote paradox: we beseffen dat ons geloof niet alleen 'onze zaak' (slechts onze keuze) is, maar dat het al een antwoord is op een uitnodiging die eraan voorafging. 'Jullie hebben niet mij uitgekozen, maar ik jullie', zegt Jezus." (187)

"Veel christenen maken tegenwoordig een 'gebedscrisis' door: het lukt ze niet meer om oprecht aanwezig te zijn in een gesimuleerde dialoog met een Onzichtbare Oom, af en aan onderbroken door vrome gedichtjes. Als christenen moeten we opnieuw contemplatie leren, de kunst van het innerlijk zwijgen, waarin God tot ons kan spreken door zijn unieke gebeurtenissen en door ons eigen leven. Dan zal het leven zelf ons corrigeren als we vroom zouden willen sjoemelen. Onze projecties en bedoelingen in Gods mond leggen lukt alleen bij een verzonnen god 'in de coulissen'. Gelukkig kunnen we zo niet omgaan met de levende God, met God als een zeer diep geheim van de werkelijkheid." (187)

[Erin Cataldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been reading so much Christian romance these days that I thought I could honestly handle a heavy duty guide to Christian living and boy I proved myself wrong. "Night of the Confessor" by Tomas Halik was an interesting and thought provoking read, but very very hard to plow through. This book is definitely intended for the educated reader not just your average joe shmoe. I haven't read anything of this magnitude since my philosophy of religion class in my undergrad. That being said it wasn't a bad read, it was very insightful and well-written, just very heavy on the intellectual side (which isn't a bad thing!).

Halik addresses the challenges of being a good Christian in this day and age (having lived through political oppression in communist Czechoslavakia he is, shall we say, an expert in overcoming challenges) and what it takes to have your faith grow. By regularly partaking on confession and living by the two paradoxical statements from the New Testament ("For human beings this is impossible, but for God all things are possible" and "for when I am weak, then I am strong") we can begin to cultivate a loving relationship with God and try to uphold our faith in this trying era.

Overall, a very good, thoughtful, inspirational book. Just not a light read, will definitely take more than one sitting.

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."

[Brother Gregory Rice, SOLT · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and thought provoking. Certainly a unique voice. Reminds me a little bit of Thomas Merton in its intimate prayer-bound feel, but updated and more concrete in his statements. He says some things early on that ruffle the feathers a bit but soon brings them into context in a way that resonates. It becomes clear as it goes on that he is indeed an orthodox thinker in the vein of Ratzinger, and beautifully devoted to his priesthood. To boot, a talented writer.

My only complaint is the sympathy he extends toward the spiritually marginalized in the secular realm does not seem to be extended toward christians within a Charismatic or Traditionalist framework. How could they not draw more admiration when they are zealously seeking our Christ? I felt this was dealt with narrowly and would leave one in a no-man's land in the geography of today's Church.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by a Czech Catholic priest who began his ministry secretly during Communist times and continues through the present. He presents some very insightful ideas from his experiences, but he purports to be a guide to the changes and challenges the Christian Church will face in the West in the future. I was disappointed that he focused so much on what he thought was wrong, but didn't provide many suggestions for fixing or changing things. It was presented like a "dark night of the soul" but without many suggestions or solutions.

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a long time to get through this book, possibly (though not intentionally) in order to let the ideas have time to develop and be able to interact with them. The author often connects his reflections to specific situations, which makes them memorable. Three in particular have stayed with me over the long reading time.

First, the author's personal response to the death of Pope John Paul II. Halík described the pope's frailty in his last days, and particularly his last public appearance where he was unable to speak clearly or even stay upright. Halík commented that this was an example of strength in weakness, and the continuing worth of people who seem useless to the world.

Second, the connection he makes in the last portion of the book of children's literature and a child's imagination to spiritual truths and faith. He makes it clear that he isn't saying that the object of faith is the same as fantasy, but that it takes a special attitude of mind to be able to hold and balance seemingly paradoxical truths.

Finally, that hope is the single thing he expects to be most needed in the coming years. Hope, as a theological virtue, is something that we can practice - though at the same time it is something we receive by the grace of God.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When we confess our Easter faith, at whose center is the paradox of victory through an absurd defeat, why are we so afraid of our own defeat?" p 8 "At a time when evil is becoming globalized in such striking fashion--its most blatant manifestation being international terrorism, although natural dusters also constitute one aspect of it--and our human intellect is incapable of sufficiently grasping these phenomena, let alone averting them, there seems little chance of resuscitating the optimism of the modern era." The writer makes an impassioned and reasoned call to believers midst postmodern chaos because "human beings yearn for meaning" and Christ alone faced evil to death and overcame it.

[Samuel Jerónimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

In «Night of the confessor,» Tomáš Halík invites us into the dark hours of faith, as the ground where honesty and depth take root. Written with the intimacy of a confessor, Halík dismantles the illusion of easy certainties, showing how doubt and fragility are essential companions of belief.

For that reason, the book reads like a midnight conversation, one in which wounds and fears can be spoken without shame. Drawing on theology, philosophy, and lived experience, Halík suggests that true faith must pass through night: the night of loss, of unanswered questions, of waiting without clarity.

[Marjorie Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In general I only give five stars if I think I'd re-read a book, and this one, I have. I first read it several years ago, quite slowly, and recently took part in a book group, reading and discussing one chapter a week. I found that I remembered themes from five years ago, and also that it provided deep conversation.

Halík is a Catholic priest, interested in people who are "on the margins" of faith. He challenged me to think about what faith and faithfulness mean.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoewel het taalgebruik in het boek soms wat hoogstaand is (sommige woorden moet je even opzoeken), is het wel heel erg toegankelijk en geeft het bijzondere inzichten in de (christelijke) religie. Daarbij heeft Halík absoluut humor, wat het lezen van dit boek lichter maakt. Als je verdieping zoekt in je christelijke geloof, is dit boek een aanrader!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belíssima reflexão sobre os rumos da fé cristã para uma sociedade caminhando numa era pós-moderna. Não nos tira a fé mas faz enxergar que a fé existe num ambiente de paradoxos, onde a dicotomia da subjetividade x objetividade é substituída por interpretações múltiplas da realidade, que só se completam mediante interações humanas.
Lerei mais coisas do Sr. Halik! Certamente!

[Kyle Evens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good weekend read. Not really building a theology upon Msgrs. Rahner and Von Balthasar, as building a parallel theology. I came across this author after reading a collection of essays by Benedict XVI.

[Serginho Terra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Num mundo onde a espiritualidade esta banalizada, "A noite do confessor" é um refrigério.
Com uma espiritualidade centrada é uma leitura indispensável para os dias de hoje.

[Michiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Een boek met veel diepte. Niet heel makkelijk te lezen, maar hij weet zaken rondom geloof, twijfel en onzekerheid te raken.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful and insightful. Very thought and faith-provoking.

[Carlijn Van Der Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soms wat ingewikkeld, maar vooral het hoofdstuk over lijden kwam op het goede moment. Zou graag eens met Halik om tafel zitten.

[DAVID BRUNA ORTIZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gran libro de espiritualidad y que deja más preguntas que respuestas para un creyente con identidad secular. La fe y la dimensión religiosa del hombre sigue teniendo sentido en el contexto actual, pero se vuelve aún más desafiantes porque en la posmodernidad la experiencia religiosa toma relevancia otra vez pero sin la excusa de evitar la profundidad con respuestas superficiales.

100% recomendada su lectura y un místico de la posmodernidad es Thomas Halik.

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dense book ... so much so, as far as I can tell, that even the back cover blurb forces the reader to slow down, absorb it, and think.

Oy.

However, when I read the introductory sample via Amazon before accepting the review offer, it seemed to have something to say to the thoughtful Christian. Flipping through the book itself upon receipt, I saw vignettes which piqued my interest and so it is going on my "to read" stack. With the understanding that the reading will come slowly and require thought.

UPDATE
I thought I wasn't going to read this for a while, yet somehow I picked it up a couple of days ago and have been dipping in for a few pages at a time. Rich and deep, with somehow simple ideas. Just when the author says something that I have a knee-jerk reaction of "that's not how faith works" he goes further and deeper so that I understand the reasons behind the surface statement ... and usually agree. This is thoughtful and though provoking writing which I am letting sink in. And it is enriching my internal life.

UPDATE the Second
I am at a loss as to how to describe this book except to say that it is amazing me every few pages. Tomas Halik's observations about "Christianity in an Age of Uncertainty" hit the mark time after time. In one sense, one must simply sit back and take in the view, letting his writing wash over you until the point is reached; at which point, I dive in. Occasionally I may disagree with him, but that is fairly rare and even when I do disagree it is because we have a different perspective. I can always see his point of view and it is not a non-Catholic one but just is different from my own. Which is also valid, as I believe Halik himself would say.

I am going to begin sharing nibbles of this over at Happy Catholic.

[Maria Longley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomáš Halík starts off this collection of essay meditations with a fair warning of what's in them so you don't need to waste your time on this if you're not interested. That's a nice thing to do! Luckily I was interested so very happy to read these essays. Every year Halík spends a month in a hermitage (and seems to write a book there each year too) in between the rest of his duties and these essays are mostly from that time.

He writes a lot about living with paradoxes, the hiddenness of God (Augustine's 'Si comprehendis, non est Deus' if you can grasp it it most certainly won't be God), and about the signs of the times from his view point of a confessor and Catholic Priest. During the Communist era in Czechoslovakia he worked as a psychotherapist as well as being active as a priest in the underground church and there are some really interesting points about that and Pope John Paul II from his experience.

There's a long list of people mentioned in this book that I have meant to read at some point and has just made the case stronger for that: Teilhard de Chardin, Bonhoeffer, Karl Rahner, Hans Urs von Balthasar, Martin Buber (the I-Thou keeps coming up everywhere I look!), Nicholas Lash, Nietzsche... (Halík does mostly talk about men but I did read an interview with him afterwards where he mentions he used to not support the idea of women being priests until he met Anglican women priests and has now changed his mind.) A splendid essay chapter "The Joy of Not Being God" had lots of great things to say including Halík's interpretation of Rahner's 'theology of everyday things' to rename sleep as the 'divine service of sleep'!

The Christian messages are full of paradoxes, the kingdom of impossible, so the acceptance of paradox is the only really way to move with it and these essays have interesting and helpful things to say.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halik's pointed reflection on the state of our world wrestles with a variety of issues from a perspective deeply influenced by his Christian faith. Always interesting, regularly profound, Halik understands that the life of faith is not about splashy displays and religious enthusiasm, but about the more mundane and quiet ways in which faith works itself out in everyday life. His words are thoroughly grounded in an appreciation for the centrality of Jesus as worked out in those three cardinal Christian virtues--faith, hope, and love. Most of all, though, I appreciate Halik's understanding of Christian faith as paradox, and the inevitable mystery that sits at the very heart of Christian faith. Halik also rightly critiques the tendency in some Christian quarters to over explain difficult issues and land on banal solutions, to assume that the way to the cross is through rationalistic argumentation, and to keep faith shallow for the "benefit" of the people. Halik's are words to wrestle with...and while I don't agree with everything he puts forth here, I so appreciate having a dialogue partner as thoughtful as he is.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got a major buzz from this book. A really fascinating perspective on "post-Christian" Europe and the possibilities that Christians have there. Also full of deep spiritual insight from a mature thinker with no axe to grind, and who doesn't fight the fact that "old" European Christianity is gone. Refreshingly, he doesn't get caught up some of the cultural trappings of religion and mistake them for the heart of Christianity itself.

Halík is kind of a Czech Thomas Merton. He doesn't write specifically for Americans, and even gently rips the color-by-number trends in American Christianity, but this book is enormously humane, sharp, open-minded as they come, and relevant to any discussion of culture and faith.

I'd say that if Halík's vision of "second wind" Christianity becomes a reality -- Pope Francis is a great sign -- it will be in good shape.

Don't come here looking for easy answers, a witch hunt, or a quick shot of sentimental Jesus-juice. DO come here if you need a genuine intellectual and spiritual adrenaline rush and something absolutely provocative.

[Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this book thanks to goodreads first reads, so I might have liked it more than if I had paid for it. It started off interesting enough, but about a quarter of the way through the book, I started to get irritated by the author, and felt like one minute he'd say one thing, and the next minute... It seems like he contradicted himself. I admit I'm new to theology, and perhaps I'm not not the kind of person the author wrote the book for, but for what ever reason... I ended up giving up on it and it was a few days before I started reading again. I'm giving up on this book.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct, hard-headed analysis of Christian faith for our time.
Halik uses the saying: "If you come upon a rabbit playing the violin, you are seeing a supernatural act." Likewise, when you see a person behaving selflessly on behalf of another, you are witnessing a grace.
Christian faith is paradoxical. What appeared to be a total defeat became a source of hope and of life. It's a matter of perception.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the question of meaning.

[Brent Soderstrum · Rating 1 out of 5]

I recieved this book from Goodreads first read program.

I really hate not being able to finish a book. This is one I just couldn't make myself finish. It is written by a Catholic priest based on his thoughts on Christianity taken from hearing confessions. I love Christian books but this one is incredibly dry.

[Blair Hodges · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Catholic tradition, the confessor is the one who receives the confession from the one seeking reconciliation with God. This book consists of some of the things a confessor reflects on in his time alone. At the heart of each chapter is an expression of the Christian faith as a paradox. The message of the cross is one of strength in weakness.

[Caat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dit boek hinkt tussen een rating van 4 en 5. Er staan passages in die ik direct koortsig over ben gaan schrijven, maar ook hoofdstukken die een aanslag waren op mijn geduld. Al met al een mooi boek. Uiteraard waardeer ik het meer dan Halik's eerder in het Nederlands uitgebrachte boek Geduld met God - want dat vond ik een draak.

[Joy Matteson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book on Good-reads. I enjoyed Halik's unique Catholic perspective on what faith looks like in a postmodern age. Recommended.