The Life of Meaning: Reflections on Faith, Doubt, and Repairing the World

by Bob Abernethy, William Bole, Tom Brokaw (Introduction)

PBS's Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, which Bob Abernethy conceived and anchors, has been described as "the best spot on the television landscape to take in the broad view of the spiritual dimension of American life . . ." by the Christian Science Monitor. "Finally," wrote the San Francisco Chronicle, "something intelligent on TV about religion." Now, together with his coauthor William Bole, Abernethy has turned his attention to making a book that asks all the big questions—and elicits the most surprising answers from a who’s-who of today’s serious religious and spiritual thinkers from across the spectrum of faiths and denominations.
In this thoughtful collection, extraordinary people give their personal and private accounts of their own spiritual struggle. Their insights on community, prayer, suffering, religious observance, the choice to live with or without a god, and the meanings that are gleaned from everyday life form an elegant meditation on the desire for something beyond what we can see and measure.
More than fifty contributors, including Jimmy Carter, Francis Collins, The Dalai Lama, Robert Franklin, Irving Greenberg, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Harold Kushner, Anne Lamott, Madeleine L’Engle, Thomas Lynch, Martin Marty, Mark Noll, Rachel Remen, Marilynne Robinson, Barbara Brown Taylor, Studs Terkel, Thich Nhat Hanh, Phyllis Tickle, Desmond Tutu, Jean Vanier, and Marianne Williamson.

Genres: Religion, Essays, Nonfiction, Spirituality

438 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Joy]

Just picked this up. It was highly recommended by a friend that couldn't wait and read several selections to me on the phone. It's another "reader" a collection of essays. I have a lot of these and they get pulled from my shelf (or pile) and read in dribs and drabs.

[Jonathan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

For many years, one of my Sunday morning pleasures was to watch PBS’s Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly. The program was hosted by former NBC Correspondent, Bob Abernathy, and dealt with issues of religion and ethics in the world. Sadly, after many years, the show was cancelled.

Before the program ended, Mr. Abernathy, along with author William Bole, produced the book, “The Life of Meaning.” It is a collection of, what I would call essays, based of numerous interviews. It covers topics of faith, belief, and life. Many of the chapters have inspired me; and caused me think long and hard on the role of religion in my life, and the life of the world.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of interviews covering various aspects of life from a spiritual and/or religious perspective. An evenly good selection from a wide range of people, sometimes thought-provoking, sometimes inspiring, sometimes giving an unexpected insight, sometimes just what you might expect from that person given their religious affiliation.

[Sally Melcher mckeagney]

I came across this in my bookcase, with a bookmark very close to the end. I remembered the book, but not the contents. I finished the last few pages, which were marvelous, and turned to the beginning. I do remember reading the first section, so the evidence appears that did read the book. So now it will be a reread!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short reflections from thoughtful people about faith, doubt, & repairing the world. We used it for a weekly discussion group and it was excellent. I think it would be great for solitary reading as well.

[Tom Helmick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful and inspiring read - two qualities very much appreciated today.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good essays. I particularly liked Phyllis Tickle, Anne Lamott, and William Sloane Coffin.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorry if this is the second version of this review--I thought I saved the one I had written, but I don't think I did. Anyway, I usually try to read theology, church history, and/or religious writing during Lent. This is the first one that I read. Overall, I enjoyed this very much. The writings are written texts from interviews of the people in the book. Some of the interviews were with some of my such as Frederick Buechner, Madeline L'Engle and Anne Lamott. One of my former proferssor's, Martin Marty is also in here and it was fun to read what he had said. I also love the title of one of Marty's articles: "God is Not Going to Whomp You."

The strengths of this book include a wide range of religious/spiritual beliefs. Most of the world's major religions are represented, as well as people who do not consider themselves "religious" but spiritual. There were interviews with very conservative people and very liberal people and everyone in between.

One of the weaknesses of this book was in spite of a wide range of religions and beliefs, there were very few interviews with people of color and none with anyone from Latin America. Out of about sixty to seventy people, there were only two African American men, one African man (Bishop Tutu), two or three Asian people and a couple of people from the Middle East. This is very unfortunate because of the amount of wisdom that can be gained from the indigenous people of North and South America, Latin America and African American women.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book over two years with an interfaith women's discussion group, and it's a wonderful, thought-provoking book of interviews/essays with spiritual leaders and thinkers about faith. While not every essay resonated with me, a significant number of them did. I'm sure I'll come back to this book again to read individual essays. It's a great book to read and discuss with others interested in faith and interfaith.

[Mary Gorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am still reading this very big book as I read several other books. I will have to take it back to the library but I love what I have read so far and may even buy this book!It is so interesting and inspiring to read what other people,especially people brighterthan me, have to share on matters so important.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this for a discussion group at church, and the author, Bob Abernethy of Religion and Ethics Newsweekly on PBS, will be coming to speak with us. I'll report further when all that has occurred. So far I'm finding the book (a collection of interviews with many different people) quite good. I've especially liked a couple of interviews with scientists who can reconcile science and faith.

[John Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This spiritual writing is a compilation of reflections on various themes including evil and suffering, prayer, faith, religions and service to the world. Writers include many noted spiritual authors such as Marianne Williamson, Madeleine L'Engle and Barbara Brown Taylor. A good tool for daily meditation.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Largely readable and morally improving.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has 67 different interviews, so I can pick it up and read anytime.

[Leslie]

Fascinating and very enjoyable - short interviews & essays by people of different faiths, describing their faith experiences

[Peterturner]

Liked the connection between art and title; type is a bit dull and not the direction we'd want to go in.

[Heather]

beautiful.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of essays for discussing in small groups.

[Alesia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed watching the tv show Religion and Ethics News Weekly. This book is interviews with different people and was ultimately unsatisfying.

[Dev Scott Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used as a textbook for a class by the same name, this deceptively easy-to-read book is a great tool for introspection.

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of essays from numerous religious leaders expounding upon their faith

[Debbie Rubenstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very interesting - a lot of food for thought.