This is a book for those whose souls yearn for God, but whose minds aren't sure God exists. For those who feel life without religion to be lacking something important, but life with religion to be intellectually problematic.

The book shifts as it moves to become more and more aimed at a Jewish audience. The first few chapters, on prayer, miracles, the Bible, and following (or not following) God's laws, are written from a Jewish perspective, but would be an excellent guide for those who are asking the same questions about their Christian faith. A chapter on how anyone can continue to have faith after the Holocaust is largely devoted to the thousands of Christians who risked their lives to save Jews. The last couple of chapters go into short explanations of all the Jewish holidays and festivals, and would probably be of no real interest to the Christian seeker.

One of Schulweis' overall arguments is that religious faith is harmed by black/white, either/or theology. For example, the conventional thought is that you are either an atheist, who believes the Bible is false, or a Jew or Christian who believes the Bible is true. But in actuality, it is not an either/or question. Literalists insult the Bible with the attitude that it is 100% factual and inerrant. The deep and complex meanings of the mythology, legends, and morality tales is largely lost on them, because they read it as merely a book of facts. Likewise, the atheist who rejects the whole Bible as nonsense is making the same mistake, only they view it as a book of facts in which most of the "facts" are patently false.

What is the value of prayer, when even the most faithful know that you don't always get what you pray for, no matter how sincerely and altruistically your prayers are offered? Are there miracles, and what is their point, when none of us have ever seen God part a sea, or appear in a a pillar of fire, or such? How can we follow God's laws, when they are sometimes contradictory, and sometimes obviously immoral? (i.e. Nothing in the Hebrew Bible or the New Testament says slavery is wrong, but only gives guidelines about how to treat slaves.) Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do innocent children suffer horrible things? How can we believe in God after the Holocaust? Who or what exactly is "God" anyway? And more aimed at the Jewish reader: What is the purpose behind the extraordinary amount of holiday and festival traditions and rituals that we follow?

Possible answers to all these questions are explored. Sometimes the answers offered are pretty straightforward. Sometimes they require some complex philosophical thinking to get there. You won't agree with all of Schulweis' conclusions, but if you are a thinking person, who tries to deal with doubt in your faith, while still wanting to believe, this book will surely help. It is the best book I have ever read on the subject, and one I will most certainly re-read, and soon. ( )