On Monday, Michael Novak, author of upcoming book, No One Sees God (on sale August 5th) shared his perspective on USA Today online, where he stated “Judaism and Christianity seem very good religions for those who suffer because they bestow on them justice and dignity. The realistic point of Judaism and Christianity is that suffering is a normal part of every human life. Lamentations are a native language. But evil does not mean that God loves us less, or that all is lost, or that good does not win out in the end.”

And, today, a wonderful commentary and interview are featured on David Crumm’s website, Read the Spirit. Here, David claims “Novak’s new book is an important contribution to building bridges between believers and unbelievers. It’s also a great book for small-group study, especially for religious groups trying to grapple with the acidic waves of neo-atheist writing over the past year.”

Michael Novak, author of upcoming book, “No One Sees God” (on sale August 5th) shares his perspective on Washington Post’s On Faith column.

So far, Michael has received winning praise, including these kudos:

“Over the years, Michael Novak has explored with great insight the relationship between religion, society, and the individual. Here he engages with the recent intellectual challenges to religion and provides the perspective of a profound believer who knows what it is like to wrestle with doubt.”
— Walter Isaacson, CEO of the Aspen Institute and author of Einstein: His Life and Universe

“The word ‘dialogical’ might have been invented to describe Michael Novak. With great patience and lucidity he engages believers, unbelievers, and those who don’t know what they believe in a conversation about the things that matter most.”
— Fr. Richard Neuhaus, Editor-in-chief of First Things

“Michael Novak’s new book counts as both significant and moving. He deploys logic and love, emotion and erudition, to address the most enduring questions of our existence.”
—Michael Medved Nationally Syndicated Talk Radio Host, Author of Right Turns

To learn more about No One Sees God, check out Michael’s interview with First Things, or if you are in Washington D.C. on September 9th, come to his lecture at the American Enterprise Institute at 5:30 p.m.

Jamie Korngold, the “Adventure Rabbi,” had a great turnout at her Central Park hike last month.

One of the hikers was journalist Ari Goldman of the New York Daily News. Check out his article here.

And, in the latest Denver Post article, Sandra Dallas describes Jamie as a Jewish Ann Lamott.

Learn more about Rabbi Jamie on her website or on Jewcy.com, where you can find her Q&A and a God in the Wilderness excerpt; or if you’re passing through her hometown in Boulder, Colorado, check out her book signing at Boulder Books on June 19th at 7:30pm.

In a funny, thought-provoking first-person account, a young Christian woman describes the challenges of keeping one’s faith while looking for romance in the big city. Here are some questions for discussion.

1. While Anna “knows in her head” that marriage shouldn’t be the basis of her purpose in life, she can’t seem to find an alternate source of identity. Do you think that it is possible to change this ourselves? Or does the change have to happen to us? What do you tend to most find your identity in (relationships, work, family, etc.)?
2. In the book, Anna admits that she thinks heaven sounds kind of lame. What do you think heaven will be like — is it someplace you would genuinely like to be? What do you think has shaped your ideas of heaven?
3. One thing Anna struggles with throughout the book is a tendency to fragment herself and share only certain parts with other people — which she sees as bad. Do you agree that this is unhealthy? How have you seen this tendency — for good or bad — in your own life or that of friends? (more…)