Witness to Belief : Conversations on Faith and Meaning

An openhearted testament to the power of religious belief in a chaotic world.' -Publishers WeeklyFrom a beloved pastor, a collection of powerful conversations on faith and meaning with twelve public figures who explore the impact of faith in their lives and their success.Through interviews with twelve remarkable and renowned individuals from various Christian denominations, author Russell J. Levenson, Jr. explores different ways people come to faith and sustain it in their daily lives. The result is a collection of fascinating, moving, and unique stories, rarely shared with the public. For instance, Secretary Rice notes that she knelt down to pray every night when she worked in Washington, but often was so tired she fell asleep during prayer time; Denzel Washington asked to begin and end the interview for this book in prayer with Levenson; and Amy Grant shared that because of a brain injury she now has trouble reciting scripture, so she sings it instead. Each interview delves into the private, spiritual side of public figures and reveals that behind success and fame there is often a vibrant, personal belief in God that nourishes them. Jim Nantz and Brit Hume reflect on the role of their faith as they pursued careers in broadcasting; Sam Waterston and Gary Sinise share thoughts on faith as they navigated fame in the entertainment industry; James A. Baker III, Admiral William McRaven, and Ambassador Nikki Haley consider how faith helped them make tough political decisions, and Dr. Francis Collins and Jane Goodall ponder the bridge between God and science. You will come away contemplating the role of religious belief in your own life and consider what truly matters at the end of the day.