Tell Me Why: A Father Answers His Daughter's Questions about God

by Michael Novak and Jana Novak

Book Overview

Hailed as a new classic in faith exploration, this remarkable book offers a rare chance to eavesdrop on a conversation between a believing father and a skeptical daughter about God, faith, and morals. World-renowned theologian Michael Novak accepts a unique challenge when his twentysomething daughter Jana sends him a long fax filled with practical questions about life and religion. His answers -- warm, wise, and unfaltering -- serve as guideposts...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671018868
• ISBN13: 9780671018863
• Release Date: July 1999
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Hooray for popular theology!

I would have given "Tell Me Why" four stars instead of five, because of all the issues left only half-explored or totally unexplored by Michael and Jana Novak. (For instance, barely anything was said about Eastern religions.) However, this book's shortcomings are not half as important as what this book can do for people."Tell Me Why" can start debate among believers and non-believers alike. It can inspire critical thinking among the most complacent readers. It can even bring about new joy and enthusiasm to those who need a boost to their faith.Other reviewers have complained that the discussion "degenerates into Catholic dogma." Being Catholic, I can assure other Catholics that this is a great book to read--and tell believers of other faiths that this is a book that will set them thinking about their own religious and spiritual beliefs. "Tell Me Why" covers abstract issues, such as how to choose a religion and why it is important to believe in a Higher Power, and practical points, such as abortion and ritual--all explosive topics in their own ways.To its credit, "Tell Me Why" does not merely lay down Catholic doctrine and leave the reader, who may be unfamiliar with Catholicism, floundering for answers; it presents the philosophic background of each teaching. Doing so requires a lot of intellectual meandering, which is why Michael Novak can take over ten pages to answer a simple Yes or No question. (Of course, problems still crop up when Michael Novak explains something to daughter Jana's content, but not to the reader's.)The text is sprinkled with quotes and prayers from figures such as C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and other philosophers of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. (Michael Novak has a mind very much like a database when it comes to his field.) While reading, I often found myself thinking about unincluded others who have written about spritual and religious matters, such as M. Scott Peck or Kahlil Gibran. Though my experience proves that "Tell Me Why" is far from perfect or comprehensive, it also shows that this book _does_ inspire people to look into themselves in order to complete what the authors may have left unexplored.We need more popular theology in our lives.

A wonderfully clear explanation of the importance of faith

I have never before written to an author about one of his books, but I wrote to Michael Novak to thank him (and his daughter) for having written "Tell Me Why," one of the most personally meaningful books I've ever read. Having recently been involved in an argument with an atheist mathematician who resolutely denies that faith can be reasonable at all, I particularly was taken with Novak's clear explanation of the intimate relationship between faith and reason (see also the Pope's most recent encyclical, "Fides et Ratio" for more on this subject). Though Novak is Catholic, "Tell Me Why" is NOT an apologia for Catholicism (though it does do a fine job of explaining many things about the Church). Novak's knowledge and basic sense of fairness allow him to deal even-handedly with other faiths and with those who have no faith. In brief, he explains why he feels that religion and belief in God should matter to us. The discussion includes the existence of God, the meaning of faith, and the meaning of doubt. It addresses the relationship between faith and reason. It touches on questions like abortion, family structure, marital fidelity, "organized" religion, even some Church history. It asks why religion matters at all, why so many different religions came into being, and whether they're all part of a greater truth. It also asks how being religious is supposed to affect our everyday life. And, perhaps most importantly, it blends all the answers together in a marvelously expressive dialogue of love with his daughter which makes the whole thing especially effective. "Tell Me Why" reminds me somewhat of C.S. Lewis's work, though updated and Americanized. The conversational style makes it very easy to read and brings the potentially heavy subject matter to life. Regardless of your faith or lack of same, if you have ANY interest in a spiritual life or in a discussion of the Big Questions, you should read this book.

A brilliant dialogue in search of God. . . .

Jana Novak is both honest and relentless in her quest for the truth. She raises questions not confined to the young or the skeptical. Frequently in life we encounter situations that can cause us to be revisited by nagging doubt over God's existence and His love. We don't understand the origin of evil. We don't understand why God allows suffering. We don't understand the human imperfections of our religion. Michael Novak's answers are not just rich in hard-earned wisdom, but also as soothing and reassuring as the lapping of ocean waves on a calm day. In *Tell Me Why* he shows himself to be more than one of the brilliant theologians and philosophers of our time; he also rises to great heights as a father, giving his daughter not merely knowledge, but a legacy of truth and love. I wish I had had this book when my own son was beginning to ask similar questions and will recommend it wholeheartedly to him--as well as to anyone else in search of God.

Jana Novak's skepticism does us a big favor.

Jana Novak's skepticism allows all of us to question our own beliefs, to explore our reasons for belonging to a given religion, and to ask ourselves what we really do believe in and why. It seems an important exercise for all of us, and a chance to renew our Faith and our membership in a community of believers. Agreeing with Michael Novak's answers or not, he guides us in weighing our beliefs, providing a framework for our explorations while keeping our search in a very directed path. Highly recommended for parents with teenagers/ young adults, but also for the parents to prepare their own clear thinking. Indeed, there isn't one of us who can't benefit from taking the time to ask and answer Jana's questions. The effort is heartening!

Excellent summation of the importance of religion

As a lapsed Catholic, and one who is currently reconsidering his lapse, Tell Me Why is one of the most informative, enjoyable, and useful books I have ever read. Michael and Jana Novak cogently, plainly, and in surprising depth explore the importance of religion, particularly Roman Catholicism, in every day life while providing a firm footing in the rules and rationale of religion for the novice. I will reread this book many times. It should become a classic for all those curious about religion and a source of inspiration for those who have already found God.