Neighbors and Wise Men

I don't typically read many Christian non-fiction books.  Or fiction, for that matter (Redeeming Love is my go-to gag reflex).  I wanted to start off my book reviewing with something that wouldn't repel me with tales of ruler-slapping teenagers who have sexual desires or telling mothers to burn all traces of Harry Potter.  I wanted to read something with spiritual depth and reality.  So what better book to start with than one entitled Neighbors and Wise Men: Sacred Encounters in a Portland Pub and Other Unexpected Places ?

On the surface level, Tony Kriz's tale may sound very prodigal-son-esque.  He was a Bible-thumping, banner-waving, all-American white guy Christian who knew every Sunday school answer and would pray with you if you looked at him cross-eyed.  Over time, however, he slowly came to the terrifying realization that he could not believe anymore.  He had lost his faith.  He was sent home mid-mission trip, sent to study theology in an attempt to find himself again.  The answers that were most useful, though, were far outside the pages of his textbooks.

The pages that fill Kriz's novel are full of raw honesty, real conversations, and fascinating encounters with Atheists, Muslims, bar tenders, intellectuals...pretty much every people category that would make the typical conservative Christian shift in their seat.  This is not a comfortable read for the spiritually close-minded.  For those who are willing to learn, like I was, the story will open you up to recognizing God in the unlikeliest of places.

What I particularly enjoyed about this story was that some of the latter lessons Kriz learns are barely ever touched in a church.  They are the hard truths, like the over 27 million slaves in the world, or the consumerist tendencies of our culture, or the disconnected nature of humans from the earth.  These are the issues that most of us ignore--for what can we do?--but many non-Christians don't.

Kriz does find his way back to the faith (spoiler alert!) but it is through experiences like an old Muslim woman telling him that "With God you are not alone."  Tony Kriz's tale is by far the most realistic and compelling spiritual journey I've read in some time.

[My copy of this book was received compliments of Booksneeze.com]