"Has God Failed You?" (Michael L. Brown)

TITLE: Has God Failed You?: Finding Faith When You're Not Even Sure God Is Real
AUTHOR: Michael L. Brown
PUBLISHER: Bloomington, MN: Chosen Books, 2021, (192 pages).
 

Times are increasingly tough for our society. Inflation is rising while incomes are falling. People are becoming more easily irritable and impatient. As far as faith matters are concerned, many are discouraged and disillusioned about Church and various other religious establishments. The daily news reports we get are often more depressing than uplifting, validating the popular maxim, "No news is good news." Statistics on religious communities also give similar negativity. For instance, we have all heard about an aging Church and an exodus of young people. More are abandoning churches, preferring to keep their faith private and confidential. People are asking questions about the relevance of God. Author Michael Brown summarizes this sentiment with this big question: "Has God Failed You?" Almost immediately, he questions the question, that it in itself is an oxymoron because God will never let anyone down. The real complication will happen if God is non-existent in the first place! That would put us in an even worse position of non-meaning, non-significance, and non-purpose. He engages some prominent atheists and takes issue with some of their arguments through a comparison between different worldviews. Even if one does not agree with Brown, one should also be open to question the alternatives, which too have their own flaws. A key pointer is the atheist common assertion that life began randomly. If that is true, then it throws the spanner in the works of life, that life too could also be random. Without meaning and purpose, life would not be necessarily better. After addressing the question of the existence of God, Brown then deals with the book title with associated questions such as: 

• If God exists, what kind God is He?
• Where was God when I was hurting?
• Does prayer really work?
• Is it ok to doubt?
• Is the Bible an outdated book? Is it really bigoted?
• What about the problem of evil?
• What about the question of suffering?
• ...

Written with the disillusioned in mind, Brown goes through some typical questions that have generated doubt and despair. On Prayer, he covers the issue of unanswered prayers, that not getting what we want does not necessarily mean God doesn't answer nor care. There are other intangibles such as exercise in perseverance, testing of our faith, and sometimes conditions. On faith and doubt, Brown assures us that asking questions does not mean we doubt. It simply indicates our desire to learn. He also points out different kinds of doubts, some that seeks clarity while others could be mischievous. Just like not all doubts are alike, the same applies to the ones asking the question. What if the problem is not the doubt but the theology of the doubter? That is an important point because it helps us understand the context behind the question. Without addressing this, we will not get closer to the root of the issue. From the theological position of the questioner, the author then questions the ontological aspect of people. We are neither saint nor sinner but a little bit of both. That means that our reactions to pain and suffering are mixtures of our humanness. He then deals with the issue of the Bible where he dedicates two full chapters just to deal with it. In the first, he addresses several accusations about the Bible, such as misogyny, gender discrimination, bigotry, gender identities, and homophobia. In the second, he deals with the perception of God as vengeful with rigid laws. Brown addresses these questions thoughtfully and respectfully.

My Thoughts

This is a book that challenges some popular negative views of God. The author does not simply deal with it at an academic or intellectual level. He takes it personally as well, choosing to begin with where disillusioned readers are. Without dumbing down the questions of doubt, Brown begins with a confession that he too has grappled with the same dilemma. He too has a crisis of faith. Sharing his early struggles with drugs, he gives us an insight into his 50 years of belief and how his faith not only strengthened but his conviction in God's love continues to grow each day. Anyone who desires to understand Brown's answers should consider his early beginnings with doubts. Once we realize that the common questions of doubt are also common to him, we will see him more as an ally rather than an enemy of our beliefs. After all, we are all human, seeking to live a life as meaningfully as possible. We all have our own struggles, just like what the author had gone through in his early years. That does not mean the author has sorted out all of his doubts. In his conclusion, she reveals the story of JT whose faith and perseverance paid off eventually. Brown is trying to tell us: Never Give up. Never give up on God. 

Our questions about life's struggles can often be condensed into the word "search." We are searchers in many ways. Scientists search for answers. Philosophers search for meaning. People search for relationships and love. At the heart of it all, we are searching for something or someone larger than us. Questions that help us move forward are worth asking. That is what the author of this book has helpfully done on our behalf. Perhaps, we can also learn to ask other questions and learn of the author's approach in finding new answers for them. 

How well did the author answer the title of the book? I would say his arguments are fair. It is helpful for him to start with the question of the existence of God first, to lay out the framework for any fruitful discussion. This should appeal to a general audience. The chapters further down are most relevant for believers and seekers. While many of the points are philosophical and theological, what really shines through is the way he personalizes the struggles. At the beginning and toward the end, he shows us his humanness and vulnerability to share that we are not alone in our struggles. He has also struggled through spiritual agony and he does not claim superiority nor perfection. Brown has boldly attempted to answer some of the most crucial questions of faith. All of us ought to do the same. If you are unsure about how to do that, read this book.

Michael L. Brown (PhD, New York University) is the founder and president of FIRE School of Ministry in Concord, North Carolina, and has served as a visiting or adjunct professor at seven seminaries. He hosts the nationally syndicated daily talk radio show The Line of Fire and has written more than 40 books. Learn more at www.askdrbrown.org.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book has been provided courtesy of Chosen Books and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.