In Search of Belief

Once in awhile a book comes along which touches something deep inside your heart and soul. This book is a wonderful journey through the Apostles Creed breaking apart each phrase to study and examine. Prayers too often become automatic. In Search Of Belief breathes new life and modern day sensibility into the Creed of Christianity.

Altough I am a liberal United Methodist, this book by a Roman Catholic nun has validated and renewed my own beliefs, even as they are being assaulted by the rigid fundamentalist now in our local church's pulpit.

If this book were a stage performance I would be the first to rise to my feet and deliver a standing and lasting ovation! The author is absolutely brilliant! The work is exquisitely enlightening. Incredibly well thoughtout and written I found myself so engrossed I could not put the book down. Though it is the kind of book that you can easily read through, you will be left with the unnerving need to read it a second, perhaps third time, to fully digests its insights. I consider it a "must read" for every Catholic who has ever wondered about the personal relevancy of the Creed's Prayer in today's world. It is, especially, a "must read" for every Catholic woman who has ever felt frustrated by the patriarchical structure of the historic and modern church - or anyone who has perceived themselves as disenfranchised. I thank God for giving us in today's church people like Joan Chittister who shows the kind of courageous spirit, brilliant mind, and irrevocable conviction and bold faith reminiscent of the early church. Truly a CHRISTian work!

This book should come with the warning "Danger- reading this book will energize your spirit". It is scary to have someone so clearly break open the words of my belief. Until I read "In Search of Belief" my creed was just a weekly renewal of my membership in the church. The same as when I recited the pledge of allegiance or boy scout oath. No real deep thought, just go along with the group. But Sr. Chittister has put common sense meaning back into the words of the central prayer of my religion. Funny thing is I thought I might be alone in my need to reconnect with the creed. That is far from the case. The response to the book has been unanimously positive from the 12 members of a book club where we are devouring it a section at a time.

As an author, I was asked to read In Search of Belief for a possible quotation for the cover and I fell in love with the book! I couldn't put it down.Here's what I wrote for the back cover."Highly readable, yet deeply profound, In Search of Belief is laced with personal stories as well as transforming theological insights. A must read!"The Rev. Elizbeth Rankin Geitz Author of Soul Satisfaction and Gender and the Nicene Creed