How to Believe: Teachers and Seekers Show the Way to a Modern, Life-Changing Faith

I'm not a religious person - more spiritual and yet I loved this book. It was an interesting read about how faith impacts those who believe and how when we cling to faith and apply what we believe we can hugely impact others. I'm familiar with Jon Spayde as he was senior editor of Utne and so I knew how well he wrote and I wasn't disappointed here.

How to Believe is a remarkable collection of portraits of Christians from a wide range of backgrounds. Each essay explores a different theme of faith and practice, including: "Throw Out Your Outmoded Ideas of God", "Be God's Partner", "Don't Be 'Churchy' ", "Expect Miracles" and "Keep Faith Simple." The essays are woven together by Jon Spayde's personal faith narrative. The confessional tone of his insights and the genuine humility of his subjects make these stories very readable. Each of the "teachers and seekers" in the book makes it a point to flesh out the expression of their faith with an acknowledgement that their connection to the Infinite isn't constant; that they are as prone to doubt and human failings as any of us. There is no preaching here, just a sharing of experiences in faith from a fascinating and diverse group of people. Among the thirty-two essays are portraits of a Catholic sister, a Christian folk musician, an ascetic writer of Christian science fiction, a folk singer, the head of the conservative evangelical Kingdom Living Ministries, an eighteen year veteran of Georgia's Death Row, a Franciscan priest and a psychic. In a time when public expressions of faith are largely monolithic and frequently politically charged, these stories are refreshingly personal and intimate. This collection will nourish my personal meditation for many, many months to come. I highly recommend it to any spiritual seeker.

Spayde's book was a welcome aide in my efforts to realize a faith that has often been unclear and tentative. He has a writing style which is quite good at allowing the reader to easily access the explorations of others in this most murky of realms. I would highly recommend it; and plan on giving copies as gifts to a few select friends.