Fear and Faith

It is no accident that among the most frequent expressions Jesus conveys to his followers in the Gospels is "Do not be afraid!" Living out this command from Christ should raise questions for spiritual seekers today: How do we cultivate a faith that does not succumb to fear? What is Christian hope and what does it look like to embrace it in the face of such fearful circumstances? Can we retrieve or develop an understanding of the Holy Spirit that better grounds us in times of crisis and moments of fear? This book explores these and other questions in the Christian tradition.


Endorsements


"We live in a complex world of heightened fear, kindled by competing news feeds and social media. Dan Horan brings to light one of the most paralyzing conditions for human growth and offers a comprehensive discussion that brings fear into an explicitly Christian focus. Fear can conquer the will, divide the heart, and stifle the mind. Where the spirit is, however, there is love; fear is driven out by perfect love."

—Sr. Ilia Delio, OSF, Connelly Endowed Chair in Christian Theology, Villanova University


"In these troubling times, this brilliant book sheds light on the deep roots of fear and anxiety, while opening the door to spirit‐filled hope."

—Andrew Prevot, Amaturo Chair in Catholic Studies, Georgetown University


"Fear and Faith is a small book with a big message: Fear is a tool of control, and Christ teaches us to resist it. Daniel P. Horan guides us to lean on this aspect of our faith so that we can live the abundant existence we are meant to live. Important words for our times."

—Sophfronia Scott, author of The Seeker and the Monk: Everyday Conversations with Thomas Merton


Daniel P. Horan, OFM, PhD, is professor of philosophy, religious studies, and theology, and director of the Center for the Study of Spirituality at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. A columnist for the National Catholic Reporter, he is the author of fourteen books, regularly lectures around the United States and abroad, and serves on several university, academic, and publication editorial boards.

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