A reassuring practical reader for those seeking spiritual meaning through the Bible.
A Christian perspective on what really matters in life.
Cummins begins with a challenging question: What should we make of the popular idea that everyone needs to discover a singular, defining purpose to lead a fulfilling life? The author draws on biblical scripture, personal insights, and theological exegesis to provide a Christian answer to this question. For Cummins, peace and meaning come not from chasing after a purpose but from contemplating and living out God’s promises. She argues that the relentless quest for purpose breeds widespread anxiety, confusion, and self-doubt; purpose should not be a destination but rather a daily invitation to love God and our neighbors in “a billion different ways.” The book is structured in three sections: the first explores the “Purpose Paradox”; the second investigates why we idolize purpose; and the final one offers guidance on living in God’s promises. Cummins refers to a wide range of Bible stories but also to some light psychological theory and real-life experiences to illustrate that an identity rooted in God’s promise is more sustaining than any specific role or goal. (Purpose shifts across the phases of your life, but God’s promises are eternal.) Every chapter of this meditative book closes with questions and prayers to help readers release the burden of purpose and embrace peace through divine assurance. Warmly written, compassionate, and demonstrating a deeply personal faith, Cummins’ book shares stories, provides spiritual mentorship, and challenges some of the cultural and religious norms around conventional ideas of identity and success. Chock-full of prayers and journal prompts, this book is written for both private contemplation and group study. Through force of sheer repetition, readers are encouraged to replace the pursuit of purpose with relying on God’s promises in the hope that doing so will offer theological and emotional relief to people who feel lost or inadequate.
A reassuring practical reader for those seeking spiritual meaning through the Bible.Pub Date: Oct. 22, 2024
ISBN: 9781961732247
Page Count: 290
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: April 18, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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