This is a fascinating book that offers stimulating nuggets of understanding of some of life's great questions. What I liked about it is how the author introduces key topics from his own viewpoint without asserting that it is the only possible interpretation. And it is refreshing that he does not get caught up in defending or proving the validity of each topic. In fact, in addition to Church history, teaching, revelation and logic, he uses an interesting criterion for evaluating whether Christianity is believable - that the story of Christianity has an aesthetic beauty; that it "hangs together beautifully."

I also enjoyed how the author incorporates other religious texts and beliefs from Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism for comparison and contrast. This along with the historical perspective gives a "big picture" feel to the book. And yet the author makes it clear he is not going to do all the work for the reader. Each topic is only a jumping off point that stimulates the desire to read and contemplate more about the subject matter.

Part of the enjoyment of the book comes from Fr. Riches' ability to explain complicated concepts with clarity. This is obviously not easy for topics like original sin, Trinity, afterlife, free will, suffering, and love.

In fact for me it is the author's treatment of love that makes this book so special. He makes it very clear that the story of Christianity is a story of love. And this is certainly a message that is worth hearing again and again.

This is a fascinating book that offers stimulating nuggets of understanding of some of life's great questions. What I liked about it is how the author introduces key topics from his own viewpoint without asserting that it is the only possible interpretation. And it is refreshing that he does not get caught up in defending or proving the validity of each topic. In fact, in addition to Church history, teaching, revelation and logic, he uses an interesting criterion for evaluating whether Christianity is believable - that the story of Christianity has an aesthetic beauty; that it "hangs together beautifully."

I also enjoyed how the author incorporates other religious texts and beliefs from Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism for comparison and contrast. This along with the historical perspective gives a "big picture" feel to the book. And yet the author makes it clear he is not going to do all the work for the reader. Each topic is only a jumping off point that stimulates the desire to read and contemplate more about the subject matter.

Part of the enjoyment of the book comes from Fr. Riches' ability to explain complicated concepts with clarity. This is obviously not easy for topics like original sin, Trinity, afterlife, free will, suffering, and love.

In fact for me it is the author's treatment of love that makes this book so special. He makes it very clear that the story of Christianity is a story of love. And this is certainly a message that is worth hearing again and again.