Paradoxes for Living

A paradox on the surface appears as a contradictory statement but on closer reflection reveals a fundamental truth. Christians live in a faith full of paradoxes but find themselves unable to fully understand their meaning. Is Jesus really serious when he says in order to become strong, we must become weak? Are we expected to become like children before we can enter in the kingdom of God? None of the above makes sense but in order to understand our role as Christians in this life we must struggle with these statements and many more. Paradoxes For Living is an invitation for us to explore these numerous paradoxes in our faith and go through the process of embracing them in order to live a full life. N. Graham Standish brings to us those scriptures that seem so contradictory but through study and reflection we see where these verses call upon us to live a more authentic Christian life. Our author is not squeamish in having us deal with the issues of power, suffering, self-examination and other topics that confronts our tendancy to become comfortable in a world whose mores we fail to question. Standish's book is not just a theological treatsie for one to debate in the classroom. Nor is it just a simple Bible study resource where we can gloss over its meaning. Paradoxes cuts deep into your soul and calls you to further cultivate your faith in these chaotic times in which we live. After each chapter, the reader is given reflective exercises to do as well as questions to reflect upon. The author also provides you with additional resources to help you in your spiritual growth. This is an excellent book for both individual as well as group study in fostering spiritual maturity.

This book has helped me to dive deeper in my own personal spiritual journey. It has helped me make sense of so much about Christian faith and spirituality that mystified me before. What's ironic about his is that this is a book that stresses true faith and spirituality as becoming comfortable with mystery. The whole point is that it is by living paradoxical lives that we grow closer to God: by becoming weaker we become stronger; by becoming child-like we become mature; by knowing ourselves we know God; by living through pain we discover joy; and so forth. This allows me to live in a way that lets go of compulsions, and instead is willing to live in ambiguity and faith.