Synopses & Reviews
Born again at sixteen, John Marks later abandoned his faith. In Reasons to Believe he attempts to cross a deep cultural barrier to understand those who now condemn his way of life. He speaks at length with missionaries, political activists, theologians—the rich and powerful, the poor and broken, and the pastors who have turned small congregations into megachurches. The result is a remarkable, intimate portrait of evan-gelicals, one of the most influential forces in America today, and the unforgettable story of how a lapsed believer came to terms with his faith.
Review
“For an intelligent, first-person tour through the large American evangelical landscape, readers could not do much better than John Markss REASONS TO BELIEVE.” U.S. News & World Report
Review
“Illuminates a world that most people think they know... will reshape your views of the future of faith.” Bruce Feiler
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“A penetrating view into what has been the dominant strain of Christian faith in America in recent decades.” Brian McLaren
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“Marks tracks his former born again faith with a ruthless critical eye.” Darcey Steinke
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“Marks gives us a stunning glimpse of American evangelicalism in all its variety.” Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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“Courageous investigative journalism...a memoir of startling self-reflection…Marks writes with unfailing intelligence, insight, and deep compassion.” Los Angeles Times Book Review
Synopsis
As a teenager, John Marks was a born-again Christian, but eventually abandoned his faith. Years later, as a producer for the TV show "60 Minutes," he interviewed a couple about the Left Behind series, the bestselling Christian novels about the apocalypse. At the end of the interview, they asked John a question: would he be left behind? In other words, had he accepted Jesus as his savior or would he go to hell?
Reasons to Believe is Marks's answer to that question. As a former Evangelical Christian, he attempts to understand those who now condemn his way of life. He grapples with the message that millions of Evangelicals attempt to deliver to their fellow citizens every day, speaking with missionaries, political activists, theologians, musicians, and filmmakers -- the rich and powerful, the poor and broken, and the pastors who have turned small congregations into megachurches. Marks also tells the story of how, along the way, he finally came to terms with his own faith.
John Marks spent a decade at U.S. News and World Report before becoming a producer at "60 Minutes." He is the author of three novels and has an M.A. in creative writing from the University of Iowa. He lives in Massachusetts with his family.
"Marks' testament is a moving memoir of a Texas boy and the rise and fall of his Christian faith ... even when discussing institutional and intellectual developments, though, Marks focuses on individuals, and he is moving and eloquent in describing the folks he meets along the way. Marks provides a sympathetic primer on a diverse movement and people."
- Chicago Tribune
Freshman Common Read: Georgia College
--U.S. News & World Report
About the Author
After writing for U.S. News & World Report for a decade, John Marks became a producer for Morley Safer at 60 Minutes. Marks is the author of three novels; Reasons to Believe is his first work of nonfiction. He is a Texas native and a graduate of Davidson College, and has an MA in creative writing from the University of Iowa. He lives in Massachusetts with his family.