Letters to Marc about Jesus: Living a Spiritual Life in a Material World

I thoroughly enjoyed The Return of the Prodigal, but Letters to Marc about Jesus has replaced TRotP as my favorite by Nouwen. Every chapter begins slowly and personally, but there are segments within the chapters that are as piercing and insightful as my favorite CS Lewis excerpts. The chapter on Jesus: The Loving God is a great example, as I think Nouwen captures, in a well-written and succinct nutshell, both the problem with and the solution to the world as we generally know it. I don't think he set out to solve the world's problems, nor do I think it's easy to do so. But, as Chesterton said: I am (the problem with the world); and this chapter by Nouwen explains precisely why I am the problem. This one, like the best by Lewis, deserves reading and re-reading. It is devotional and challenging at the same time.

Though written to a ninteen year old nephew, this book is for any youth or adult. The book centers on Jesus as God's revelation to man and how to personally experience being a disciple of Jesus. Each letter grows out of Nouwen's personal walk and experience during a year of searching for God's direction for himself. Each letter has truth that makes you ask 'why haven't I seen that before.' This is a five star book; a book to be re-read and turned to often for it's refreshing ideas. Persons reading Letters to Marc may also want to read Philip Yancy's What's So Amazing About Grace.

In seven Letters to Marc about Jesus, Henri Nouwen writes from the conviction that Jesus is the center of his own life. From that perspective, he shares the joys and sufferings of his own spiritual journey with his 19-year old nephew in Holland. The letters deal with deep questions of the 20th century in the light of the Gospel message, and with the spiritual search as experienced by a young adult today. (for all ages) Letter 1: Jesus - the Heart of our existence Letter 2: Jesus - the God Who sets us free Letter 3: Jesus - the Compassionate God Letter 4: Jesus - the descending God Letter 5: Jesus - the loving God Letter 6: Jesus - the hidden God Letter 7: Listening to Jesus