Tell Me Why: A Father Answers His Daughters Questions about God

This book all started with a fax. As the prolific author of numerous titles (The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism; Business as a Moral Calling; etc.), former politician and theologian Michael Novak is no stranger to answering challenges regarding his faith in relation to the world of politics and philosophy. However, when he receives a lengthy fax from his recent college graduate daughter, Jana, this father's skill in communication is put to the test. Jana Novak, a writer and poet, ponders the deep issues of faith in modern society. She relates questions and concerns to her father through candid, sincere requests for evidence in helping determine what part God and religion will play in her life. The book, written in a Q&A format, allows both Novaks to bring forth fresh insights and beg the reader to consider the difficulties of living out one's faith in a cynical, amoral society. Jana poses her faxed questions by focusing first on the foundations of religion in general. Why, she asks, ""Does religion matter?"" ""Why so many different religions?"" ""What is God like?"" Michael Novak's second series of responses stresses the particulars of religious experience. Jana wonders, ""Why is our family Catholic?"" ""Must I take the Bible literally?"" Finally, Jana considers the practicalities of faith. ""What is Christian sexual love?"" ""What about abortion?"" and ""Do I need to be a Mother Theresa?"" Interspersed throughout this dialogue between father and daughter are the writings of C.S. Lewis and other Christian writers who address the struggle between faith and doubt. Although Jana's questions about life, faith and God are often difficult to answer in simple statements, Michael Novak does an excellent job of creating a ""learning atmosphere"" for his daughter by providing her with a solid foundation of biblical principles and Catholic traditions to contemplate. (Aug.)