Finding Faith in the Face of Doubt: A Guide for Contemporary Seekers

Many Americans say they are uncertain about their religious beliefs, although they continue to attend Christian and other churches. Interdenominational minister Willis presents this beautifully written book to help questioners maintain their integrity while relating to the vast Mystery that informs the universe beyond all understanding. "We know we don't know," Willis says, "and yet we all (even atheists) must stand on assumptions that help us lead good lives." To explore these assumptions, he discusses different ways of thinking about God, scientific and mythical views, the sources of good and evil, and the need for both freedom and commitment. He assures us we can all think reasonably about Ultimate Reality and find a faith that fits. The book grew from theology classes Willis taught in Unitarian churches and universities and from conversations with discontented members of other discussion groups. His clear and engaging prose is full of lively exchanges with his students. Frequent references to the best contemporary theologians (Bishop Spong, for example) and to philosophers, physicists, mythologists, and Bible experts provide an inspiring resource for those who long to resolve the conflict between faith and reason, doubt and belief.

200 pages

About the author: In 1918, Joseph S. Willis, M. Div., was born in El Paso, Texas, where he and his family remained throughout the Great Depression. He graduated in 1939 from Texas College of Mines (now University of Texas at El Paso), with a double major in biology and English. After a year of graduate work in biology, Willis entered the Princeton Theological Seminary, where he completed his Master of Divinity degree in 1943. He was ordained in the same year and over the following decade served Presbyterian churches in New Jersey, Texas, New Mexico, and Illinois. Hoping to find resolution to some long-held misgivings, Willis entered the doctoral program at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. These years served as a turning point, as he soon realized he could "do theology" in a different way. From 1955 to 1967, he served as interdenominational University Pastor at the University of New Mexico. When he resigned in 1967, he began working in Albuquerque public schools as a teacher and counselor until his retirement in 1981. During this time, he also began to paint and sell landscapes through galleries in New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. After moving to Colorado in 1990, he once again became an active minister, doing pastoral work and teaching adult education classes. Today, he is Minister Emeritus at Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, CO, and continues teaching adult classes at Jefferson and in a local Methodist congregation. He lives in Arvada, Colorado, near Denver.