When Everything's on Fire: Faith Forged from the Ashes
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- Create Date：2021-11-10 13:21:11
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Brian Zahnd
- ISBN：1514003333
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Summary
Is it possible to hold on to faith in an age of unbelief？ Intellectual certainty has long been a cornerstone of the Christian faith。 But in an age of secularism， skepticism， and cynicism， our worldviews have been shaken。 Various solutions exist--some double down on certainty， while others deconstruct their faith until there is nothing left at all。 But Brian Zahnd offers a third way: what is needed is not a demolition but instead a renovation of faith。 Written with personal and pastoral experience， Zahnd extends an invitation to move beyond the crisis of faith toward the journey of reconstruction。 As the world rapidly changes in ways that feel incompatible with Christianity， When Everything's on Fire provides much-needed hope。 A stronger， more confident faith is possible when it is grounded in the beauty and truth of Christ。 Zahnd permits us to risk the journey of deconstruction so that God can forge something more beautiful in its place。
Reviews
Landon Heeres
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This book is a wise， gentle companion that will walk alongside you when you feel like your faith （or the faith of the world around you） might be falling apart。 My faith hasn’t crumbled， but I have found my critical mind questioning so many of the theological beliefs I inherited。 It is easy， especially in my current context of Western， fundamentalist evangelicalism and the current climate of our world， to fall into cynicism and hopelessness。 But Zahnd’s deeply intellectual yet accessible perspect This book is a wise， gentle companion that will walk alongside you when you feel like your faith （or the faith of the world around you） might be falling apart。 My faith hasn’t crumbled， but I have found my critical mind questioning so many of the theological beliefs I inherited。 It is easy， especially in my current context of Western， fundamentalist evangelicalism and the current climate of our world， to fall into cynicism and hopelessness。 But Zahnd’s deeply intellectual yet accessible perspectives in this book highlight what has always been at the heart of the Christian faith: a loving God who is revealed in the person of Jesus who allows space for doubt and critical thinking and shows us grace even when we struggle to believe。Rather than tearing the whole thing （Christianity & the Church） down， this book provides the tools to rebuild a more beautiful house for Jesus to reside。 It outlines a hopeful vision for the future by reminding us that God is reconciling all things （which means my critical mind doesn’t have to）。 。。。more
Matthew Loveland
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I have been following Brian Zahnd's work since I read A Farewell to Mars and have been along the journey ever since。 "When Everything's on Fire: Faith Forged from the Ashes" is a book I needed to read。 I have been on a journey of deconstruction/reconstruction over these past 7-8 years and this book gave me new fire （pun intended） to keep going forward。 Jesus never gave me any reason to leave the faith， but the Church in America definitely has made it a struggle to stay on the journey to reconstr I have been following Brian Zahnd's work since I read A Farewell to Mars and have been along the journey ever since。 "When Everything's on Fire: Faith Forged from the Ashes" is a book I needed to read。 I have been on a journey of deconstruction/reconstruction over these past 7-8 years and this book gave me new fire （pun intended） to keep going forward。 Jesus never gave me any reason to leave the faith， but the Church in America definitely has made it a struggle to stay on the journey to reconstruct my faith with the solid foundation of Christ alone。 Brian does a great job of showing how necessary it is to go through this sort of faith crisis because it can result in a more robust faith if we allow ourselves to continue seeking Christ。 I was certainly challenged by the quote from Karl Rahner: The devout Christian of the future will either be a “mystic，” one who has “experienced” something， or he will cease to be anything at all。 We cannot just read Scripture like a science book or a God fact book。 We must read it in light of Christ and the revelation the Spirit enlightens us with when we prayerfully read the Scriptures。 "Mystical experiences are not foreign to scriptural tradition but are the norm within scriptural tradition。 i。e。 - Acts 2， Pentecost"I am thankful for Brian's voice in this wild time where the world seems like its on fire。 But this book provides a hopeful outlook on the future。 When Christians of all types and traditions continue to lean on Christ and seek Him， we are showing the way to the "House of love" or better known as the Father's House。 His journey of faith has given me permission to continue on my own journey。 To continue seeking the Jesus Way。 To allowing the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts and actions。 To not give up when I feel I'm in the wilderness， because like Moses， that's where we can be our most vulnerable and open to what Jesus is doing in the world。 The world may seem like it's on fire， but sometimes the fire is necessary to strip away things that are not needed。 Would like to leave with a quote from the book: Losing Jesus。 Finding Jesus。 Rethinking Jesus。 This is the only way we make spiritual progress。 Just about the time we think we’ve got Jesus figured out， he goes missing。 We may fear that we’ve lost Jesus， nevertheless if we seek him， we will find him。 But in the rediscovery we will be required to rethink some things。 And that’s what repentance means—to rethink things in the light of Christ。 This is the journey I want to be on and I think it's a challenge we Christians should all be taking on。 。。。more
Brandon
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What do we do when everything is on fire， when the world around us， our belief systems， and even our faith seem to be on fire？ That is a question millions are asking; whole generations are watching their world burn metaphorically and they are understandably fleeing the fire。 But what if there is a more beautiful way？ A way in which we see the fires as cleansing and making way for new life as a forest after a tragic fire。 This is the direction Brian Zahnd takes us in his newest book When Everythi What do we do when everything is on fire， when the world around us， our belief systems， and even our faith seem to be on fire？ That is a question millions are asking; whole generations are watching their world burn metaphorically and they are understandably fleeing the fire。 But what if there is a more beautiful way？ A way in which we see the fires as cleansing and making way for new life as a forest after a tragic fire。 This is the direction Brian Zahnd takes us in his newest book When Everything's On Fire。Many who have grown up in the church， especially in America， are awakening to the fact that the faith they received does not look like the faith or religion they experience in scripture。 They are recognizing that the faith handed to them is often so wrapped up in national identity， economic systems， and partisan politics that it is a shadow of the faith they are seeking。 This truth is a good reason for much of what they experienced to be burned to the ground to make way for a revival of faith which seeks trust in God rather than safety in empire。The good news is that Zahnd guides us through the fires of what has been to a hope for what can be。 He shines the light on the lie that doubt is an enemy of faith， that certitude is the substance of faith， and that Jesus wants us to be good and faithful citizens of a political party。 Reaching into the ancient Chuch， we can see that doubt is a refiner of faith; that faith is a trust in a living and active God; and that certitude is that which obscures an honest and abiding faith。 In guiding， Zahnd is pointing us toward the revival that so many pray for daily yet miss as it breaks out。We are reminded that the Church should be a refuge for the hurting， the oppressed， those who we see as enemy， and the outcast。 We are remined that Christianity is a religion based in the work and ministry of an active and living God who came as one of us to reveal his love for us。 We are reminded that the Church is to be above the politics of the world and forge a different path than any human system; especially when it means laying down the power of this world to embrace the servant Lord。Zahnd brings a hopeful message for the Church。 A message in which we see a deep and abiding faith free of certitude and open to doubt and questions。 One is which there is true freedom to ask， to struggle， and to refine that faith in the fires of a world that often appears to be on fire。I highly recommend picking this book up。 It is a hopeful look at the journey of discipleship and deeper faith。 。。。more
Matthew McCarl
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A needed companion for anyone walking through faith transitions。 Zahnd shows an understanding of where the culture is at， and why Christianity is still needed。 Devoid of any cheap apologetics， Zahnd shows readers how to move through deconstruction into a better， more true faith without falling into a brand of ”progressive” or “conservative” Christianity。 His dreams for the church moving forward give me hope。
Leonard Herrem
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Review of When Everything's on Fire by Brian Zahnd。I am so blessed from reading Brian's presentation of a Christian's walk with God。 The hard intimate reality Brian allows God to lead him through the fire that purges our tendency to limit God。Brian uses powerful voices to illustrate this process。 Using Nietzsche's observations of how heretic （my word） understanding of God killed God for many people。 This is also the god I do not believe or the god that is the core of Christian faith。 Brian expan Review of When Everything's on Fire by Brian Zahnd。I am so blessed from reading Brian's presentation of a Christian's walk with God。 The hard intimate reality Brian allows God to lead him through the fire that purges our tendency to limit God。Brian uses powerful voices to illustrate this process。 Using Nietzsche's observations of how heretic （my word） understanding of God killed God for many people。 This is also the god I do not believe or the god that is the core of Christian faith。 Brian expands to a contemporary of Nietzsche Kierkegaard， who set about a similar mission - not to destroy Christianity but to encourage repentance。Brian goes on to illustrate the process with beautifully crafted metaphors and images that point to Christ and help us forge our relationship with God。 Brian uses a diverse number of authors of powerful fiction and poets （including himself） and deep thinking， spiritual， mystical servants of God who also understand suffering and the process of forging faith。 He even referenced a profoundly deep thinker whom I respect and love， Archbishop Lazar Puhalo。Brian expands the intellectual into the Mystical without throwing out the baby with the bathwater。 I am blessed and filled with hope and love。 Thank you， servant of God Brian Zahnd。 。。。more
Susan Williams
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I discovered Brian Zahnd a year ago and eagerly anticipated this latest book。 Was not disappointed！ This is a must-read for embracing doubt and asking questions about the Christian faith。 Zahnd welcomes the deconstruction conversation and encourages the reader to dismantle and then rebuild a better “theological house。” And in the process he quotes many writers from Dostoyevsky to Joni Mitchell。 Truly an engaging writ
Michelle Shirley
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Wow！ This is the perfect dose of hope so many people are searching for now！ Brian Zahnd beautifully explains how questioning aspects of one’s faith can result in a stronger belief in a God who is infinitely better than what you’ve been handed down。 It’s for those with serious questions who still do not waver in Jesus。 Think restoration as opposed to complete deconstruction。 It’s exactly what Christianity needs today， right now—because everything is on fire！
Michael Ferry
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When everything is on Fire warmed my heart but didn’t leave me with ashes。 What I did find was hope and joy in my journey。 We all like the Apostle Paul get blinded and must trust another to lead us to new sight like Ananias did。 Brian did exactly this in his writing of this eye opening book。 We don’t know what we don’t know so often。 This new book sheds light on our blind spots to free us into greater understanding and freedom。
Vonda
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I would rate this book in my top 3 favorite books of 2021 so far。 There was so much to take in that I may just purchase a copy to highlight and use for reference in the future。 I have been very curious as to why so many Christians are leaving their faith behind。 I realize the answer is different for every person， but Brian Zahnd has offered his thoughts on the matter。 So much of it resonated with me。 This first reason Brian mentions is， “People often live as practical atheists before they come o I would rate this book in my top 3 favorite books of 2021 so far。 There was so much to take in that I may just purchase a copy to highlight and use for reference in the future。 I have been very curious as to why so many Christians are leaving their faith behind。 I realize the answer is different for every person， but Brian Zahnd has offered his thoughts on the matter。 So much of it resonated with me。 This first reason Brian mentions is， “People often live as practical atheists before they come out of the closet as professed atheists。 In the 1880s， Nietzsche was saying that western civilization had already in practice become atheistic， even if most people didn’t know it yet。” The western world has slowly been turning their back to God。 The creep has been slow， so it’s been easy to miss。 Life has been relatively easy and therefore， peoples’ faith has been relatively untested。 But now that we’ve got an extremely contentious political atmosphere， a pandemic with fear mongering， a country divided， love of neighbor growing cold and an upset of our comfortable lives， our drift has become glaringly obvious。 So many people say they are people of faith， but then don’t really live in a way that exemplifies that faith。 They don’t work out their faith。 They just wear it like an accessory， something they can wear or discard based on how they feel that day。 Or perhaps they are wearing it like a campaign button to declare， “I’m on God’s team！” I know people who’ve moved from fundamental faith to fundamental atheism。 They just trade one kind of certainty with rules for living for another。 Their duality remains and they are unable to live into life’s complexities。 This exchange from one type of set-in-its-ways theology for another is a second example why people turn their back on their faith。 “When Fundamentalism is the dominant paradigm， It is all too easy to suddenly careen from Christian fundamentalism to atheistic fundamentalism”。I am personally drawn to the historical faith mystics。 Those who do not claim to know all the answers， but seek to sit at God’s feet in one on one communion and communication。 “Historic Christian faith in its healthiest forms has always been comfortable with mystery and nuance， metaphor and allegory， candid questions and honest doubts。 Because in the end， Christianity has suffered more casualties from feaux faith than from honest doubt。”“Deconstruction seems to be a methodology that has no real end game。 At times， it feels like an invitation to endless cynicism。” Many seem to believe deconstruction is an end。 An end of faith。 What is an end， except an opportunity for a new beginning？ It is one step forward in the work of throwing off something that has entangled。 And when one continues to work out what they believe， it is just a temporary stopping place on the road to a regenerate faith。 This is why “The center of the Christian faith is not theology but Christ。” Zahnd says， “Doubt is the doorway to better faith…。I doubted my way to a better faith。”Brian gives his thoughts on moving forward from deconstruction。 “There is a remarkable degree of flexibility and capacity for change within the Christian religion。 Among other things， this means that we can rethink and even modify christianity without losing Jesus。”“Christianity is an ongoing project to understand God as revealed in Jesus Christ， but Jesus is not a prisoner to Christianity…Christianity seeks to understand Christ…And the radical freedom of Christ is such that he can show up in unexpected places and surprising ways - even among those who are attempting to control him for their own purposes。”“Spiritual maturity is found in patience， not in rash actions。” For those who struggle to keep grounded in their faith， I encourage you to pray for an encounter。 I think it’s easy for faith to feel stale or constricting when not a lot of time is invested in being with God。 Pray for eyes to see and ears to hear God。 Keep praying until you feel like God is telling you something or showing you something。 And do it again and keep doing it。 It’s more about sitting at Jesus’ feet， getting to know the God of the universe， than it is about keeping some rules and being sure one gets their quiet time done。 Another way to keep learning and challenging your faith is to “Open up to the whole body of Christ。 Those beliefs most in need of deconstruction and remodeling are usually the product of isolated and sectarian camps。 The theological dead end you have arrived at may only be a dead end in a relatively small neighborhood in the vast kingdom of Christ。 It’s highly unlikely that the theological problems you are struggling with are unique to you。 It’s more likely that Christians have wrestled with similar questions for centuries and that there are dozens of good books to help you navigate your theological conundrum。 But you may not find them in your particular denomination or movement…The solution may be to become more ecumenical and try to read more widely。 Seek out those who are regarded as the best thinkers and teachers within various traditions - Eastern orthodox， Roman catholic， anglican， mainline protestant， Anabaptist， evangelical， and Penecostal。 I’ve benefited greatly from Orthodox soteriology， Catholic practices of spiritual Formation， Anglican liturgy， mainline Scholarship， Anabaptist peace studies， evangelical energy， and the Pentecostal emphasis on the Holy Spirit。”“If the Christian faith is to survive the tsunami of secularism， it will be because Christians have their own experience with God。 The faith of the future will be sustained by an experience， not an argument。 As the old saying goes， a person with an experience is not at the mercy of a person with an argument。”“The primary purpose of prayer is not to get God to do what we think God ought to do but to be properly formed。”“In Genesis， the new day doesn’t begin at sunrise or at midnight， but at sunset。 Reflecting this， the Jewish Sabbath does not begin at sunrise on Saturday but at sundown on Friday。 Each new day begins with a new darkness。 Newness is not heralded by the rising sun but by enfolding darkness。 This is counterintuitive。 The new day does not begin with being able to see， the new day begins with being unable to see。 Newness is born in nothingness。 God creates ex nihilo。 Darkness is the canvas for the new light of creation。”I’m sure all these quotes are overkill， but I couldn’t narrow them down any further。 You will definitely want to grab your own copy so you can highlight or mark it up。 I received this arc copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review。 。。。more
Sharon
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