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About this item
Highlights
- God created us to be curious.
- About the Author: Lore Ferguson Wilbert (MA, Friends University) is the author of Handle with Care, winner of a 2021 Christianity Today Book Award, and writes at lorewilbert.com.
- 192 Pages
- Religion + Beliefs, Christian Life
Description
About the Book
A popular writer shows that the Bible is a permission slip to anyone who wants to ask questions--it is full of questions from God, to God, and among humans.Book Synopsis
God created us to be curious. We innately wonder about the world, one another, ourselves, and our Creator. But fear of the unknown, cultural taboos, technology, or even church leaders can smother our curiosity.Popular writer Lore Ferguson Wilbert has belonged to Christian communities that discouraged curiosity. The point of the Christian life was to have the right answers, and asking questions reflected a wavering faith. But Wilbert came to discover that the Bible is a permission slip to anyone who wants to ask questions.
Reflecting her own theological trajectory toward a more contemplative, expansive faith, Wilbert invites readers to foster curiosity as a spiritual habit. This book explores questions God asks us, questions we ask God, and questions we ask each other. Christianity is not about knowing good answers, says Wilbert, but about asking good questions--ones that foster deeper intimacy with God and others.
A Curious Faith invites readers to go beyond pat answers and embrace curiosity, rather than certainty, as a hallmark of authentic faith. Foreword by Seth Haines.
From the Back Cover
The Bible Is a Permission Slip to Ask QuestionsGod created us to be curious. We innately wonder about the world, one another, ourselves, and our Creator. But fear of the unknown, cultural taboos, technology, or even church leaders can smother our curiosity.
Lore Ferguson Wilbert believes the Bible is a permission slip for anyone to ask questions. It is full of questions from God, to God, and among humans. She invites us to embrace curiosity, rather than certainty, as a hallmark of authentic faith.
"Stepping into the beleaguered shoes of the prophets, the psalmists, and the perplexed disciples, Wilbert invites readers into the human experience of faith. Her words are a salve to those of us who wonder, who wait, who impatiently watch for the One who is."
--Jen Pollock Michel, author of A Habit Called Faith and Surprised by Paradox
"A beautiful culmination of Lore's ministry. This book offers a winsome theology of curiosity, of questioning, and of faith that the answers will come."
--Jasmine L. Holmes, author of Carved in Ebony: Lessons from the Black Women Who Shape Us
"Wilbert's words invite us to spread our arms out wide beneath the canopy of curiosity, to take a walk along the curved pattern of the question mark, and to breathe in deep the mystery of God."
--Emily P. Freeman, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Next Right Thing
"As Lore shows both through her life and in these pages, a strong faith doesn't just allow questions; it demands them. This invitation to ask good questions will encourage and strengthen you--and your faith."
--Karen Swallow Prior, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; author of On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books
"Lore is innately curious, unafraid of hard questions. . . . Her curiosity seems to lead to the same conclusion: even in our uncertainty, or doubt, or confusion, there is a God who welcomes us into his love--questions and all."
--Seth Haines, author of Coming Clean and The Book of Waking Up (from the foreword)
About the Author
Lore Ferguson Wilbert (MA, Friends University) is the author of Handle with Care, winner of a 2021 Christianity Today Book Award, and writes at lorewilbert.com. She has written for Christianity Today, Fathom magazine, and She Reads Truth and served as general editor of B&H's Read and Reflect with the Classics. Wilbert lives in upstate New York.Dimensions (Overall): 8.4 Inches (H) x 5.5 Inches (W) x .6 Inches (D)
Weight: .66 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 192
Genre: Religion + Beliefs
Sub-Genre: Christian Life
Publisher: Brazos Press
Format: Paperback
Author: Lore Ferguson Wilbert
Language: English
Street Date: August 2, 2022
TCIN: 85893258
UPC: 9781587435690
Item Number (DPCI): 247-17-5025
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Estimated ship dimensions: 0.6 inches length x 5.5 inches width x 8.4 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.66 pounds
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5.0 out of 5 stars with 17 reviews
100% would recommend
17 recommendations
Gentle & Thought-Provoking
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Molly Yard - 3 years ago
Lore Wilbert's, "A Curious Faith", creates space to hold conversation with God as it pertains to our questions, doubts, and curiosities. She does not offer trite, pat answers, but instead invites readers to contemplate and consider our questions (as well as the questions of God and others) rather than avoid them or pretend they don't exist. Using Scripture and stories from her own life, she models for us how to step into a deeper layer of intimacy with God as we bring Him the parts of ourselves that don't fully comprehend or trust Him. For anyone looking for a safe space to explore their innermost thoughts, this book is the perfect companion. Lore's voice is gentle, safe, and wise. Would highly recommend.
A book to nourish your soul
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Stacy V - 3 years ago
The words Lore writes in this book will speak to your soul. She writes with thoughtfulness and grace. She gives voice to so many feelings I've had about my faith. What she offers mixes scripture with how questioning God and our faith looks like lived out. I will come back to this book again. Read it slowly, take it in, contemplate the good words Lore offers in it
Conversational vs. Transactional
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Grace - 3 years ago
What a lovely invitation this book is. Reading it created a space for vulnerability and honesty about my faith - what it has been, what it is, and what I’d love for it to be in Jesus. The Spirit used Lore’s words and her walk through certain passages to lead me to conviction, think through truth that I would rather avoid, and ultimately to grow in my relationship with God and my understanding of Jesus and the Bible. In so many ways I view God as transactional, and this book has helped me to come to terms with the ways I wrongfully do that and consider how I might change my perspective, my actions, and my habits (toward others as well as spiritual disciplines/ways I seek to grow my relationship with God) to match who God really is instead of who culture paints him to be, or who I paint him to be. Thank you, Lore, for this thoughtful, conversational book. And for keeping the chapters brief so that reading it was attainable even while tending to a couple tiny humans!
I needed this book
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
LC - 3 years ago
This book is a gift. It came at a season of significant personal change and upheaval, and I’m so grateful for the tenderness with which Lore walks through the questions we all eventually face and the space she creates for the reader to feel safe enough to seek answers. She writes with a sensitivity to the hurts general to all of us walking out of an international crisis of the pandemic and hurts specific to those wrestling with religious contexts. The stories she chose made me feel a kinship to characters in the Bible I’d glossed over, not realizing how much could be drawn from their circumstances and petitions. I found myself pausing after most chapters, letting Lore’s questions settle, and I know I’ll be returning to it to keep letting it do it’s work. I’ve been a longtime reader of Lore’s Sayable platform, and of her first book, Handle with Care. In a lot of ways, A Curious Faith feels like the culmination of much of her writing, and I’m so grateful to be able to be part of the launch team helping usher it into the world.
A refreshing and comforting read
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Elisa - 3 years ago
I don't know where to start. This book was not what I expected, but in all the best ways. Lore's wrestling with these questions shakes me to the very core of how I seek God, seek answers, and seek faith. She gently leads us through the places we often fear to be in our journeying with God, others, and ourselves. And she reminds us that ultimately in those fearful places is a God who keeps lovingly living these questions with us.
Like a sigh of relief
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Amanda M - 3 years ago
This book feels like a sigh of relief. Lore carefully explores the questions that permeate Scripture, demonstrating that God is not afraid of our questions and is not threatened by our doubts. Instead, he invites us to be honest about them. I've already bought multiple copies of this book to give away to friends and family.
Definitely recommend!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Morgan - 3 years ago
I could fill a notebook with quotes from this book. Lore Wilbert’s wisdom and ability to write about the muddy things of life with clarity and beauty is something that has always drawn me to her work. But this book…this book is a work of art. A permission slip for questions. An invitation to Jesus - gentle, lowly, friend-of-sinners Jesus. This is the book I wish someone would have handed me at 16 and 19 and 21 and a thousand moments in between when I was stuck wondering if my own doubt disqualified me from the love of God. It has been a gift to me and a book I will treasure and reread regularly.
A safe place for questions
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Sherri - 3 years ago
Our pastor regularly reminds us that in any number of areas there are often two ditches, both to be avoided if we are seeking to walk faithfully. In this book, Lore masterfully challenges her readers to avoid the ditch of needing firm answers to all the things and also the ditch of concluding that nothing can be known for sure, by modeling the courage to wrestle honestly with the questions that living raises. She is a faithful guide, pointing us to Jesus and reminding us that, "Knowing you are loved is better than knowing all the right answers." Her challenge: "Wandering around a wilderness of questions forever will never result in the answers we want, but neither will the unwillingness to leave our Egypts behind to begin with." Dare to ask the questions, to sit just a little longer with the unknowing, and let your faith be strengthened in the process.
A comfort for my sou
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
A Ross - 3 years ago
I wish I had this book when I was 13 asking “Are you there” and 18 asking “Where am I going” and 25 with students asking “Do you care?”. I wish I had this book when I felt like every other Christian around me had a certainty I’d never known. There is something in this book for everyone, whether certain believer or walking away. Lore’s writing is beautiful, full of grace, wisdom, and honesty. The short chapters allow the reader to savor the book and really sit with each question. I know this will be a book I return to over and over, it was such a comfort to my soul. This book has already led to many refreshing conversations with people in my life. As a former YoungLife leader, I think this book would be especially great for anyone who works with teenagers - those kids are asking all the questions and need someone to help them “live the questions”
One of my favorites!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
N - 3 years ago
I have just read this, and it is already one of my favorite books. The chapters are short, easy to digest, and yet still deeply meaningful and encouraging. The author explores different questions asked in the Bible, from the questions God asks to the questions that we ask, and argues that genuine faith embraces questions. The author doesn’t write from a mere academic standpoint, but knows what it means to suffer, struggle, and wrestle with God. I always find her writing comforting, and walk away with a larger view of God.
God is strong enough for our questions
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Telesia - 3 years ago
Lore's book is on my top 5 reads for this year so far. I've been inspired to answer honestly the questions God asks me as well as to remember that God is strong enough to handle my questions for Him. I dont need to pretend I have all the answers, and I definitely do need to allow myself to be undone by His love for me.
definitely recommend!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Moodyboo - 3 years ago
We all have questions, all of us. Many of us are afraid to ask them. It may be because we're scared of the answers, we don't want to do the work of finding the answer, we feel we don't have time, etc. There are tons of reasons. This book asks the questions and encourages us to ask them too. It meets us where we are-in our questions, fear of questions, answers, all of it. Through this, Lore shows us that our questions are encouraged by God, and through them we can move closer to Him and into a deeper relationship with Him. This is not a book to rush through. You’ll need to take time to absorb it and work through it and just be for a while. It helps to slow you down and take a breath. I was challenged in ways I didn't anticipate-to think and pray and sit in the question. Lore named questions or feelings or experiences for me that I either hadn't realized I needed to name or hadn't found the right way to do it. I'm excited to go through this again and to give it more time, to actually sit in the questions. I will be doing it with a group this go around. It will be perfect to sit in the questions together.
Asking questions - an act of faith
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
algebrasfriend - 3 years ago
I just finished reading Lore Ferguson Wilbert's book, A Curious Faith. I was first introduced to Lore's writing on Instagram when a dear friend said how much she appreciated Lore's posts. In following Lore, I realized how talented she is with words and thoughts but more than that, the vulnerability with which she wrote tugged at my heart. In A Curious Faith, Lore shares some of her personal work in deconstructing and rebuilding her faith. A Rilke quote caught her attention, "Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves ... Do not now seek the answers ... Live the questions!" Lore had been in church settings where questions were not valued, and this idea of exploring her questions resonated deeply with her. In her book, she takes a deep dive into the questions in scripture, the questions God asks His people, the questions we ask God, and last, questions we wish someone would ask us. Lore briefly explores the biblical narrative around these 30 questions and then applies them to her life and ours. She defines curiosity as a spiritual discipline essential to our growth. Lore shares that "living her questions" did not destabilize her; instead, they led to more surety and hope in God. Lore writes, "If we don't make space for curiosity in the Christian life, we will become content with a one-dimensional god, a god made more in our own image than the God who made us in his image." As I read her book, I was reminded repeatedly how much God loves us. Lore writes, "The most important thing about a person is what God thinks when he thinks about them." I mentioned this quote to Lore in a conversation on Facebook because I agreed deeply, and she replied, "I want this book to be a reminder to people struggling that God loves them, and within that love, there is a wide expanse of grace and goodness." For me - her goal is achieved!
Recommended for you AND your friends!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
KnittingJ - 3 years ago
I've never held a book that provoked me to respond again and again across the page like this one. Lore's voice is that of a warm, brave and wise friend on the journey with you. She is a trustworthy guide. I plan to read again with friends.
A Timeless Gem
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
AmpersAms - 3 years ago
I have always found Lore Ferguson Wilbert to be a thoughtful writer. She cares about every word and thought she puts out into the world, and she cares about their impact on the people who will interact with them along the way. Her new book, A Curious Faith, is just another example of her thoughtful care for faith, spiritual formation, and the craft of writing. The questions she explores--both those God asks us and those we ask Him and each other--challenge me to seek a deeper level of care for my own soul as well as for the souls of my community. Even still her gentle voice and well-cared-for words provide refreshing permission to slow down and take the time and energy needed to foster deeper, stronger relational roots. This book is a timeless gem, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone I know and love.
Safe for doubters
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
carriebethdavis - 3 years ago
Lore's voice is one I've read for years, and it's one to be trusted. Her writing has mentored me, guided me, and made me think deeply. Over the past several years, my faith has become full of doubt and questions. And honestly? I've been in no rush to figure out where I stand or what I believe. I don't reach for Christian books or music much anymore because they make my skin prickle. But I do find myself reaching toward people like Lore who make me know that it's ok to not be ok. To not know. To not be settled. To have a million questions. To not be scared of the answers and equally unafraid when the answers aren't easy or don't come easily. I told a friend recently that in my own state of deconstruction and reconstruction, I hesitate to buy Christian books and wished they had a sticker on the cover or a review that says "SAFE FOR DOUBTERS." If you find yourself walking in fragile places of deconstruction or questioning or rebuilding your faith life, this book is safe. Try it out. It will meet you where you are and walk alongside you while you learn, as Rilke says, to "live the questions." On a personal note, I literally don't think I can put into words how healing this book has been for me. I sobbed my way through the first few chapters and highlighted and dog-eared and journaled like crazy. It's made me feel seen, understood, and loved more than any book in a long time. I want to put a copy in the hands of all the people I love who find themselves in similar spaces and places.
Asks the questions you wish you someone would ask
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
TRobinson - 3 years ago
The first time I heard of Lore was when she visited my church. I was pregnant with my first child, my mom was dying, and her words were a balm, an encouragement and a challenge to live an honest faith before God and amongst other christians at my church. That was five years ago and one of the things I so appreciate about Lore is her constancy and integrity. Her life is different now (all of ours is, I'm sure!) but she's still doing the same thing: writing beautiful words, encouraging christians and challenging them to live honestly before God and each other. That's what this book was to me as I read it. She brought out questions that God asks of us, those we ask of God - throwing them out there and hoping He'll answer. I just loved this quote: "I have come to believe that God is far more interested in my honesty before him than in my pretense of belief." Every question that she outlines - those asked by the patriarchs, by the men and women who knew Jesus, by God himself, called me to the kind of honesty that would allow God to change me. This isn't the kind of book you can read through and be done. I've found myself talking about what Lore talks about in so many of my conversations, thinking about it when I'm reading other works or my Bible, interacting with my kids. I will be returning to this book over and over, and I really think that it would benefit you to read it too.