I Want To Believe.

Book Review

Lawrence, Mel. I Want To Believe. Finding your way in an age of many faiths. Regal. 2007
M.L.-Recently succeeded Stuart Briscoe as senior pastor at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Comment. Henry
In matters of religion and faith there can be a large difference between declaring ‘I want to believe’ and ‘I believe’. It can be described as crossing the line of faith or making a leap of faith. To want to believe is common to all humans. To say that you believe suggests a commitment. This author wants us to understand the difference between those two positions and gain some clarity and confidence to be able to say ‘I believe’.

“We are born believers.” (8) The need to believe is driven by the reality of mortality. It is a basic need that we have been created with. Believing is not an ‘exact science’. “Things that are worth believing in will carry you away.” (17)

Five reasons are given why God wants us to believe. He cares about whom He has created and wants their care to happen in relationship. Believing is foundational to becoming who we are intended to become. God knows that it requires belief (faith) to deal with pain.

The concept of eternity is part of our DNA. The source of such knowledge is nothing less than revelation. What we believe will be determined by our acceptance of the authority of the person (source) giving us the information.

For believers (Christians) our certainty is based on the person and Word of Jesus Christ. “Doubt is not the opposite of belief.” (85) It is the precursor to faith.

Several other religions are reviewed briefly: Buddhism, atheism, earth religions, Hinduism, and Islam.

“Creeds and statements of faith remind us that what we believe in is bigger than our drive to believe.” (173) The Apostle’s Creed is reviewed as an example of how this works. Five ‘excuse’ are posed by those who maintain that they cannot believe. When Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life”, He was giving us a very important statement that can only become a reality when we believe.