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All Things Work Together for Good Jul 10, 2008
In this detailed autobiography, a Christian psychologist tells the story of his conversion from agnosticism to Christianity. His parents, both victims of bipolar illness, are fundamentally different in temperament and have a seriously flawed relationship. As is the case with C. S. Lewis, who lost his mother to cancer at age ten, there exists no security to embrace the concept of a caring God.
At age 36 the author revisits the events of his life where he sees God's grace" operating at many levels. We are introduced to rather colorful, formidable people, some of whom provide an ambiance wherein God's intervention can be seen. Standing out the most is an uncle ("Unk') who serves as a father-figure to the author. He is sometimes lovable, sometimes impossible, but always larger than life. With little training or experience, he joins the navy where he participates in air-sea rescue; he performs surgery on an island native and single-handedly foils an armed robbery in progress in South Africa. Despite the author's lament that he died a pagan, I cannot help but experience him as one of unlimited warmth and generousity. He takes occasional detours from the letter of the law (particularly where money is concerned) but in some ways seems closer to the will of God than any.
This book makes for great story-telling. Written with an unaffected eloquence, the author has created a work which makes for easy, pleasurable reading. In some ways, it reads like a novel which is hard to put down.
What this book ultimately is about is the author's attempt to connect with the reader. He discusses the strong, uncontrollable sexual feelings that many adolescents must sometimes go through alone. In the '50's, sex was not a subject discussed openly by our parents. Today we are not so easily scandalized, but there is now the modern interest in internet pornorgraphy. Many Christians feel guilty about their uncontrollable obsession with "adult websites." And then we must deal with the issue of whether we are a success in our professions or not. Why are we not making the money that our friends and colleagues make? Why is it so difficult to find a caring mate? And worst of all, why doesn't God care? That is, if there is a God.
This author is very open about exposing these kind of struggles operating in his own life. This is done most courageously--to reach that reader who might feel quite alone in his spiritual journey.
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