The Grand Paradox: The Messiness of Life, the Mystery of God, and the Necessity of Faith

God can seem mysterious and distant sometimes, even without being absent. That paradox is just part of faith, says Wytsma (Pursuing Justice), a pastor and founder of the Justice Conference. God’s ways are different from the world’s, so believers should expect some contradictions about how to find happiness. He encourages the reader to embrace and explore questions, rather than brush them aside. Learning how to trust, even when a leap of faith seems counterintuitive, is the key to moving beyond human understanding and pursuing a closer relationship with God, he says. Questions about God and purpose amid the messiness of life can be answered by focusing on Jesus and finding joy in following him, Wytsma asserts. Grounded in examples from scripture and life experiences, his honest exploration of the questions and doubts Christians have speaks to both newer believers who might not fully understand their faith, and also to longtime followers who have gotten off track or are looking to understand why they believe. Agent: Don Jacobson, D.C. Jacobson & Associates. (Jan.)