Rumours of another world

Over the past 25 years, Philip Yancey has been among the most read contemporary Christian writers.

Beginning with his considerations of the problem of pain in Where Is God When It Hurts? and Disappointment With God through to The Jesus I Never Knew, What’s So Amazing About Grace? and Soul Survivor, Yancey’s 10 books and other writings struggle with the big issues of faith.
He is not afraid of hard questions, and in this process has consistently unearthed significant answers. His books display a refreshing honesty in the face of his—and our—spiritual questions.
Yancey’s new book Rumours of Another World continues this journey, exploring the realm of spirituality and how glimpses in our world can lead us to God.
The dedication steers Rumours of Another World toward “those who live in the borderlands of belief.” According to Yancey that includes almost all of us from time to time, whether struggling to keep our faith, or working to maintain our unbelief. From Yancey’s perspective, neither is an easy task.
In the first part of this book, Yancey collects glimmers of the supernatural from the world around him. To look for God in nature is not a new approach, but Yancey also looks for transcendence in the human world—and even within himself and his own desires.
At the same time, Yancey is not simply arguing for links between these supposed different worlds. He takes the connection a step further: “Nature and supernature are not two separate worlds, but different expressions of the same reality.” It is an inspiring way of seeing the world.
But not without difficulties. Of course, any contemplation of seeing God through and in the world around us raises the obvious question: “If this is God’s world, why is it such a mess?”
Yancey’s answer to this question is perhaps the most profound offering of Rumours of Another World. He suggests our recognition of the sin, the evil and the brokenness we see around us somehow point to a better “how things should be.”
Drawing upon an eclectic range of sources, this is thoughtful Christian writing with sufficient honesty and credibility to connect beyond Christian markets. Rumours of Another World is a worthwhile addition to the Yancey library. And if you have not yet visited Yancey’s perspective on God’s kingdom, our world and the faith that holds them together, this book would be a good place to start.

Rumours of Another World: What on Earth Are We Missing?
Philip Yancey. Zondervan, 2003, 262 pages.