Books in Brief

Growing in Faith: A Guide for the Reluctant Christian, by David Yount (Regnery, 342 pp., $16)

THIS is a very helpful primer gathered from talks Mr. Yount has given over the years at St. Mary Chapel in Chicago and St. Alban’s Parish in Washington, where he taught classes for non-Christians preparing to marry practicing Christians. The aim is less to convince than to inform, to sort through the prayers and creeds and denominations. Like the best apologetics it is the testimony of a formidable mind still able to see how implausible each claim or idea must seem to the outsider. “There is nothing original here, nor should there be, because you want authenticity, not creativity”—though in fact we do find some fresh formulations along the way, as in his reflection that even “if Christianity could be proven beyond the shadow of a doubt, there would still be room for indifference.” Running through all the discussions is the reminder that whether we respond with a Yea or a Nay, a shrug is not among the available alternatives. The worst mistake, he believes, is the fashion of viewing each religion as some sort of spiritual boutique from which we may choose what suits us best: “What do you get when you try to make your own religion? In all likelihood you will end with a sentimental mishmash masquerading as the wisdom of the ages.”—Matthew Scully

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Growing in Faith: A Guide for the Reluctant Christian, by David Yount (Regnery, 342 pp., $16)

THIS is a very helpful primer gathered from talks Mr. Yount has given over the years at St. Mary Chapel in Chicago and St. Alban’s Parish in Washington, where he taught classes for non-Christians preparing to marry practicing Christians. The aim is less to convince than to inform, to sort through the prayers and creeds and denominations. Like the best apologetics it is the testimony of a formidable mind still able to see how implausible each claim or idea must seem to the outsider. “There is nothing original here, nor should there be, because you want authenticity, not creativity”—though in fact we do find some fresh formulations along the way, as in his reflection that even “if Christianity could be proven beyond the shadow of a doubt, there would still be room for indifference.” Running through all the discussions is the reminder that whether we respond with a Yea or a Nay, a shrug is not among the available alternatives. The worst mistake, he believes, is the fashion of viewing each religion as some sort of spiritual boutique from which we may choose what suits us best: “What do you get when you try to make your own religion? In all likelihood you will end with a sentimental mishmash masquerading as the wisdom of the ages.”—Matthew Scully