Knowing Darkness
Addison Hodges HartPaperback 2009-07-28
Too often, Christians who discover melancholy or skepticism occupying a place in their hearts are perplexed, troubled, or even ashamed. Knowing Darkness is a frequently provocative apologetic for the benefits of both skepticism and melancholy for biblical, Christian faith. ??Arguing that these phenomena are not detrimental to faith but are often decidedly helpful, Addison Hart draws from such figures in Scripture as Job and Qoheleth of Ecclesiastes, and from the well known life and experience of Mother Teresa. Understanding the challenges that melancholy and skepticism present to those who experience them, he reflects on the need for genuine human friendship in the life of faith. ??Writing in a forthright, engaging style, Hart inspires us to look more deeply into troublesome matters of the heart and soul - emotions we would often rather ignore or condemn - and therein find a far more authentic faith. ???"Alongside the biblical injunctions to adhere, as the normative standard of faith, to what I will call 'conventional piety,' the Scriptures also present a much more complex and variegated interaction with God. On the level of adult faith, nothing is monochrome or monolithic when the canon is taken as a whole. The approach to God includes uncertainties of doubt and darkness, and melancholy and skepticism are unapologetically present in these holiest books of Christianity and Judaism."
? from chapter 1
-Publisher.
Publisher Description
Too often, Christians who find themselves feeling skeptical or melancholy are perplexed, troubled, or even ashamed. In Knowing Darkness Addison Hodges Hart provocatively argues that both skepticism and melancholy are not necessarily detrimental but can actually strengthen and deepen Christian faith. / Citing diverse examples ranging from Ecclesiastes and Job to Mother Teresa and Jack Kerouac, Hart shows how skepticism and sadness can inform faith and how genuine spiritual friendships can sustain those experiencing dark times. / Harts forthright, engaging reflections will inspire readers to broaden their ideas about belief and thus find a more authentic faith.
$34.99
$34.99
Earn
reward points per item
Click & collect: Select your store
Get information on product availability in store.
Too often, Christians who discover melancholy or skepticism occupying a place in their hearts are perplexed, troubled, or even ashamed. Knowing Darkness is a frequently provocative apologetic for the benefits of both skepticism and melancholy for biblical, Christian faith. ??Arguing that these phenomena are not detrimental to faith but are often decidedly helpful, Addison Hart draws from such figures in Scripture as Job and Qoheleth of Ecclesiastes, and from the well known life and experience of Mother Teresa. Understanding the challenges that melancholy and skepticism present to those who experience them, he reflects on the need for genuine human friendship in the life of faith. ??Writing in a forthright, engaging style, Hart inspires us to look more deeply into troublesome matters of the heart and soul - emotions we would often rather ignore or condemn - and therein find a far more authentic faith. ???"Alongside the biblical injunctions to adhere, as the normative standard of faith, to what I will call 'conventional piety,' the Scriptures also present a much more complex and variegated interaction with God. On the level of adult faith, nothing is monochrome or monolithic when the canon is taken as a whole. The approach to God includes uncertainties of doubt and darkness, and melancholy and skepticism are unapologetically present in these holiest books of Christianity and Judaism."
? from chapter 1
-Publisher.
Publisher Description
Too often, Christians who find themselves feeling skeptical or melancholy are perplexed, troubled, or even ashamed. In Knowing Darkness Addison Hodges Hart provocatively argues that both skepticism and melancholy are not necessarily detrimental but can actually strengthen and deepen Christian faith. / Citing diverse examples ranging from Ecclesiastes and Job to Mother Teresa and Jack Kerouac, Hart shows how skepticism and sadness can inform faith and how genuine spiritual friendships can sustain those experiencing dark times. / Harts forthright, engaging reflections will inspire readers to broaden their ideas about belief and thus find a more authentic faith.