In today’s world, where many people are questioning or even drifting away from faith, Juan Arias’s book The God I Don’t Believe In offers an interesting and profound reflection on images of God that we often take for granted. The author does not write against God, but rather challenges certain distorted images of him: a God who instils fear, seeks to control, or is used to justify passivity in the face of life’s difficulties. Instead, Arias presents a God who is close to us: a God of freedom, love and hope.
Christ is always new! The author insists that Christ can never be fully “captured” or explained once and for all, because he continually offers new challenges and perspectives to every generation. This reminds us of the need to continue discovering the beauty and freshness of the Gospel within the context of our own time.
One powerful image used by Arias is that of the butterfly, which does not reject its past but assimilates it and builds upon it to fly towards new horizons. It is a lesson for us: while appreciating the tradition we have received, we should not remain trapped in the past.
Another important theme is our concern for the poor and those on the margins. The author reminds us that Christ is encountered in a special way through our meeting with others, particularly those who are suffering or searching for meaning in life. It is an invitation to ensure that faith does not remain merely a theory but becomes concrete service to others.
This book is recommended for anyone wishing to deepen his faith in a mature and sincere way. It is a book that not only raises questions in the mind of the reader but also helps us draw closer to the God who is truly worthy of our faith.
Gabriel Borg
SDC Candidate
