The God Questions: What Forms and Shapes Us

By Patrick J. Russell

Book Overview

At first glance, this book seems to be about a canoe trip the author took with his four sons. But it is really about the questions--The God Questions. The questions that we need to help our... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764816292
• ISBN13: 9780764816291
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Liguori Publications
• Length: 174 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.7" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

From a quasi-Catholic perspective

First of all, I have to say that my opinion is perhaps a little skewed, considering that I know the author and his family quite well - I'm dating one of his sons. As the dutiful girlfriend, when Micah gave me a copy of the book, of course I had to read it. Having been baptized Catholic but with very little religious education, the Russell family's devotion has been a little beyond me since I began spending time around them. Still, it didn't seem to bother anyone that I wasn't particularly religious, so I didn't think about it. The book sat on my shelf for a few months until last weekend, when the prospect of a 3 1/2 hour flight with nothing to read prompted me to drop it into my backpack. When I finally opened the book, I was surprised to realize how much I enjoyed it! I worried that I would find it to be too "preachy" or beyond me in terms of the religious names and teachings it discussed. How delightful to find that Dr. Russell keeps the interest not only through his descriptions of his trip with his sons, but also through the tale of Pere Marquette and through short vignettes about the history of the Wisconsin River. He deals with the God Questions on a very personal level, in how they apply to him and his relationship with his sons; at the same time, he effectively communicates how encompassing the Questions are, and how they impact everyone who has ever thought of a God. I'm not a very religious person and I struggle with the idea of Christ being both divine and human, as well as the idea of a God who impacts my daily life. Still, I found that the way Dr. Russell connected God with love and love with the relationships we find ourselves in to be very beautiful, comforting, and plausible. This basic idea - God is love, and God is in relationship - is what seems to hold the majority of the book together. He discusses our purpose in life and showing faith to God not in a manner that makes it sound obligatory or tiresome, but rather beautiful, joyful, and loving. I would definitely recommend this book - whether you're not sure if God exists or if you've been a Christian your entire life, I think that Dr. Russell brings a fresh, happy, and calming perspective to the entire question of religion in a concise, clear manner, making for a quick and meaningful read. And I'm not just saying that to earn brownie points! :)

Loved the references to History

The author does a beautiful job of linking together his own life story, the river trip with his sons, the similar historical river trip by Marquette, and inner, spiritual story we all can take.

Wonderfully readable!

What a creative way to connect our spiritual life with our family life- the true balance for families.