The Life of Meaning: Reflections on Faith, Doubt, and Repairing the World

By Bob Abernethy and William Bole

Book Overview

PBS's Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, which Bob Abernethy conceived and anchors, has been described as "the best spot on the television landscape to take in the broad view of the spiritual dimension of American life . . ." by the Christian Science Monitor. "Finally," wrote the San Francisco Chronicle, "something intelligent on TV about religion." Now, together with his coauthor William Bole, Abernethy has turned his attention to making a book that asks all the big questions--and elicits the most surprising answers from a who's-who of today's serious religious and spiritual thinkers from across the spectrum of faiths and denominations.
In this thoughtful collection, extraordinary people give their personal and private accounts of their own spiritual struggle. Their insights on community, prayer, suffering, religious observance, the choice to live with or without a god, and the meanings that are gleaned from everyday life form an elegant meditation on the desire for something beyond what we can see and measure.
More than fifty contributors, including Jimmy Carter, Francis Collins, The Dalai Lama, Robert Franklin, Irving Greenberg, Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Harold Kushner, Anne Lamott, Madeleine L'Engle, Thomas Lynch, Martin Marty, Mark Noll, Rachel Remen, Marilynne Robinson, Barbara Brown Taylor, Studs Terkel, Thich Nhat Hanh, Phyllis Tickle, Desmond Tutu, Jean Vanier, and Marianne Williamson.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 158322758X
• ISBN13: 9781583227589
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press
• Length: 438 Pages
• Weight: 0.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 7.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Reflecting

People are more spiritually minded than they are given credit for. This book certainly reminds us that we each have deeply held beliefs that we gradually improve upon as we go along. And as we grow spiritually, we find more meaning in our lives. It is also true on a collective level. I always love to read about the development of life in all of its progressions and this book about covers it. Sustained by Faith: Personal Awakening in God

Thoughtful and Engaging

An inspiring collection of 59 essays to help us make sense of the chaotic and painful world we live in. It is spiritual but not preachy, a book that I can pick up, read a passage, reflect upon, and feel better. I particularly liked the essay devoted to Desmond Tutu entitled "Redeeming The Devil". Profound stuff.

What a great book...

I loved this book. I checked it out of my local library and knew that I wanted to have a copy of my own, so that I could read and reread it.

Engaging

One of those rare books that really makes you think...not only while you're reading it, but long after you put it down.

Wonderful Survey of First Rate Religious Thinkers' Thoughts on Meaningful Life

Beautifully written, skillfully edited...Provides intelligent insights from a variety of religious thinkers regarding elements of a meaningful life in today's society. Would be outstanding for book reading clubs. Abernethy's interviews on his public television show always ask the questions I would want to ask the authors if given the opportunity. Now the insights are available in the written word. Thanks to Bob Abernethy for the stimulating, intellectually honest exploration of such a relevant subject.