Rabbi David J. Wolpe's book, Why Faith Matters, came to my attention as I prepared to teach a class on Hebrews 11. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). Wolpe is more philosophical and focuses on the quest for meaning. "Faith believes in the legitimacy of asking 'why'--that the very question is an animating force in life" (p. 193). While I am interested in the question and believe that faith is a journey, the truth of faith begins with its content. Wolpe provided me with snapshots of brilliance when what I searched for was direction in faith's journey. Though we travel different paths at this point, I loved his book.

After a brief prelude, Wolpe organizes his book into 8 chapters: (1) From faith to doubt, (2) Where does religion come from? (3) Does religion cause violence? (4) Does science disprove religion? (5) What does religion really teach? (6) Reading the Bible (7) Is religion good for you? and (8) Why faith matters. His introduction is written by Pastor Rick Warren.

Wolpe's strengths as a writer include his ability to dialog with the reader, his keen insight into the human condition, and his brilliant analytical mind. In his prelude, for example, he tells the story of a man using his sickness to teach his children and grandchildren how to die. He writes about his friend Isaac: "Here was a chance to teach his greatest lesson. They would remember much about him to be sure, but they would never forget how he died" (p. xiv).

Wolpe's brilliance comes in getting to the heart of complex matters quickly. Why do atheists try to make science into a religion? They confuse puzzles (which can be figured out) with mysteries (which are unsolvable) (p. 11). Why does Nietzsche dislike democracy and Christianity? He is a classicist who prefers the morality of masters (classical view) over that of slaves (Christian view) (pp. 48-49). Wolpe's writing is a joy because of these many insights.

Wolpe enriches his readers in thousand ways. I will be gifting friends and family with this book over the coming months.

Dr. Stephen W. Hiemstra
Centreville, Virigina

Many readers will check out this book as a new entry in the "new atheism" debates, and many of the comments will reflect where the reader already comes down on those questions. Faithful people will see the book as deeply humane, wise and forward-looking; others will say it's inadequate, yet another sorry attempt to make people believe in God, etc.

Sigh. I suppose if you're into those questions, this book will give you ammo, either way.

In my opinion, there is MUCH more to this book than that.

Wolpe is a writer who combines great erudition with powerful personal disclosure, and comes at that combo through a sincere commitment to helping real people in real life situations. It's as much about his personal bout with cancer and what it taught him about life as it is an exploration of Bible, Talmud, philosophy, poetry, and everything else that Wolpe explores.

Let me put it another way: when something difficult or downright awful happens in your life, and you pick up the phone to call a religious friend or a member of the clergy, Rabbi Wolpe is who you want picking up on the first ring. He has the knack of bringing genuine wisdom to life's great questions...without ever talking down to you.

He is a writer in the tradition of Harold Kushner, author of "When Bad Things Happen To Good People," and he is just as good. In fact, with disrespect intended to Kushner, Wolpe seems even more broadly read and thoughtful.

This is a book that is great for faith groups of all kinds -- Jewish and Christian. It's the rare book that I, as a Christian pastor, would read with a spiritual growth group at my church but also share with my agnostic and atheist friends who are simply "interested" in religion.

It is absolutely terrific. Buy two copies and give one away.

You are lying to yourself if you say you are not curious about the existence of God and your place in the universe. Maybe it's not front and center. How could that be when you're worried that Starbucks is going to close down in your neighborhood and you still haven't hooked up the digital-to-analog converter box? But those less urgent concerns do emerge at the oddest times.

What's it all about? You must have at least a little curiosity about the Big Picture.

You can pretend you are done thinking about the eternal questions of religious faith. You can state your belief that there is no God or conversely, that God is everywhere. You can also do yourself a huge favor and buy this wonderful, reassuring and intellectually stimulating book by David Wolpe. And if you quote him and not give him credit, people will think you're really smart. If you read this book, you will be comforted in unexpected ways. It will open your heart and your mind and give you peace - though not eternal.

It is the perfect gift for those very human friends and loved ones in your life -- faithful and unfaithful alike. The book is powerful. I'm so glad I read it.

Wolpe's argument for the value of faith is twofold: 1.religion is true, 2. religion is useful. His arguments for the first are extremely weak. The canard of "science hasn't disproved God" is tired and absurd. No, science cannot disprove God, but so what? Neither can science disprove fairies, but rational people don't believe in them because there is no evidence for their existence. He quotes Stephen Jay Gould as saying there is no conflict b/w religion and science. Gould was a brilliant man, but he was just wrong in this conclusion. Religions do make claims about the world that are manifestly untrue (see Letter to a Christian Nation or Steven Weinberg's essay in the Portable Atheist for a rebuttal of Gould's claim).

On the other hand, Wolpe does provide some evidence for the usefulness of religion. He makes two valid points: 1.societies without religion are very often horrible, as the 20th century has shown, and 2. there is empirical evidence that religion encourages charity. Although I am an atheist, I think these facts are too important to ignore. I give a mild thumbs-up to the book.

David Wolpe understands the words of Tennyson: "There lives more faith in honest doubt, believe me, than in half the creeds.

At the same time, Wolpe understands the power of faith and gives comfort to those who make the leap of faith.

Truly a Renaissance man, Wolpe has the extraordinary ability to inspire readers to be introspective, which is a key to our essence and existence. His knowledge of history, philosophy, psychology and theology, and various other belief systems, is obvious in his presentation.

I believe that all people who are open to enhancing their self-awareness, and to considering varied ideas about faith, should read "Why Faith Matters." Even for those who are rightly skeptical about some of the author's assertions, and who might not be comfortable with certain of his approaches, Wolpe is still a very serious and important thinker who deserves our consideration. (Reviewed by Jerry Marcus, author of four novels, including The Salvation Peddler and Broken Trust - The Murder Of Basketball Star Jack Molinas.)

Like many Americans, I have endured at various times in my life periods of faith and doubt in the existence of God. I was surprised to read that in his youth, Rabbi Wolpe also was a practicing atheist. So, from the beginning of the book it was easy to equally consider the arguments in favor of faith, knowing that Rabbi Wolpe contemplated these issues on a personal level, too.

While his writing is cerebral, the book is an easy read of an incredibly difficult subject. The book will help those with faith re-affirm their connection to their God, and for those without, the book will force you to seriously reflect on just who holds the tiller of your moral rudder. Without qualms, Rabbi Wolpe raises arguments about the importance of a religious component to your life.

His most poignant point may be the role that organized religion plays as a check and balance to government. Rabbi Wolpe does not take the unsupportable position that religious institutions are infallible. In fact, he openly acknowledges that just like out of control governments can wreak havoc, so can out of control religion. But his overall case that the scales of goodness ultimately tip in the favor of belief in God is compelling.

Like many Americans, I have endured periods of faith and doubt in the existence of God at various times in my life. I was surprised to read that in his youth, Rabbi Wolpe also was a practicing atheist. So from the beginning, of the book it was easy to equally consider the arguments in favor of faith, knowing that Rabbi Wolpe contemplated these issues on a personal level, too.

While his writing is cerebral, the book is an easy read of an incredibly difficult subject. The book will help those with faith re-affirm their connection to their God, and for those without, the book will force you to serious reflect on just who holds the till of your moral rudder. Rabbi Wolpe raises arguments about the importance of a religious component to your life.

His most poignant point may be the role that organized religion plays a check and balance to government. Rabbi Wolpe does not take the unsupportable position that religious institutions are infallible. In fact, he openly acknowledges that just like out of control governments can wreak havoc, so can out of control religion. But his overall case that the scales of goodness ultimately tip in the favor of belief in God is compelling.