When “Spiritual but Not Religious” Is Not Enough: Seeing God in Surprising Places, Even the Church

In this wise and witty collection, some of them short musings and others in-depth theological explorations, United Church of Christ pastor Daniels (This Odd and Wondrous Calling: The Public and Private Lives of Two Ministers) makes a welcome contribution to the conversation about the role of religion in contemporary life. Venting in her title essay about people who feel compelled to tell her they find God in nature, as if Christians “never heard all those Old Testament psalms that praise God in the beauty of natural creation,” she dissects shallow, individualistic spirituality, and evokes the rough beauty of church where “we are stuck with one another.” Whether pondering the reality of never-completed jobs (like parenting), sharing lessons learned from teaching in Sing Sing prison, or describing her personal struggles with yoga and meditation through the lens of the Martha and Mary story, Daniels offers an honest, often hilarious perspective on faithful living. Intelligent, inviting and nurturing, these essays, categorized in sections entitled “Searching and Praying,” “Confessing,” “Communing,” “Wandering,” “Wondering,” “Remembering and Return,” offer a rich banquet for pastors, lifelong congregants, disaffected Christians, and confused seekers alike. (Jan.)