Anatheism: Returning to God After God

Why We Recommend It:

Anatheism: Returning to God After God by Richard Kearney explores what it might mean to encounter God again after doubt, loss of faith, or a rejection of traditional ideas about God. Rather than simply returning to the beliefs of the past, Kearney proposes a "return" that allows us to approach God with fresh eyes—after questioning, wrestling, and allowing old assumptions to fall away. Drawing on philosophy, theology, literature, and personal experience, the book explores the possibility that doubt and uncertainty can become part of a deeper spiritual journey rather than its opposite. We recommend this book because it creates space for honest questions and recognizes that faith can sometimes emerge not from certainty, but from the willingness to remain open to mystery, meaning, and the possibility of transcendence.

As Mentioned in Our Sunday Message:

This book connects with our reflections on doubt, faith, and what it means to remain open to God in the midst of uncertainty. Many people experience seasons when the faith they once held no longer fits the questions they are asking or the experiences they have encountered. Anatheism suggests that walking away from old understandings does not necessarily mean the end of the journey. Sometimes, it can create the space for something new to emerge. Rather than treating doubt as something to fear or faith as something that requires pretending to have all the answers, this perspective invites curiosity, honesty, and openness. It reminds us that meaningful spirituality can involve wrestling with difficult questions, allowing ourselves to be changed, and remaining receptive to the possibility that God may be encountered in ways we never expected.