The Unknown God: Searching for Spiritual Fulfillment

Through a series of brief meditations, McGrath (The Genesis of Doctrine) takes a look at people's longing to find happiness and to fill the emptiness in their lives. He notes in his opening reflections that the same search for happiness and fulfillment motivated the philosophical writings of ancient philosophers such as Plato and concludes that most of the ways that have been suggested for finding happiness have not been ultimately fulfilling. Thus, people continue to seek spiritual fulfillment. McGrath contends that the Christian God, as revealed in the human figure of Jesus, offers the satisfaction for which people are searching. McGrath's reflects on Jesus' parables--the Prodigal Son, the Rich Fool, the Pearl of Great Price and the Lost Sheep--to demonstrate that God, with an all-encompassing love and grace, reveals Himself to those who seek Him. McGrath then offers several short meditations on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus to illustrate that Jesus is the manifestation of God's love in this world. Full-color illustrations, poetry and other brief selections from ancient and modern writers accompany each meditation. Much like Christian philosopher Blaise Pascal's Pens es, McGrath's reflections are elegantly written defenses of the central elements of the Christian faith. (July)