Letter To A Man In The Fire: Does God Exist And Does He Care - Softcover

The questions implied in Fox's letter are simply paraphrased in the book's subtitle: "Does God Exist and Does He Care?" Though Price writes from the perspective of one who believes fully in the Christian tenet of the Holy Trinity, his message and sincere examination of the nature of faith make his words relevant to those of any denomination. Price incorporates, among many other sources, Milton, Dante, Dostoyevsky, Eliot, the Bhagavad-Gita, and the Book of Job into his own spiritual awakenings in contemplating God's participation in the fate of humankind. He exposes biblical inconsistencies and apparent indifference to suffering as well as celebrating acts of healing and inspiring mystery.

What began as a long letter written in reply to one person became a book relevant to all. Unfortunately, Fox was never able to read either work. After sporadic e-mail and letter correspondence, a few phone conversations, and then several months without contact, Fox died in February 1998 at the age of 35. Before Price knew of Fox's fate, he continued working on his book "in the hope that, failing to reach its original aim, the text might find some use in the hands of others." To this end, Letter to a Man in the Fire is an unqualified success. Deep thoughts abound in these pages and his writing often soars. Price beautifully appeals to both the emotional and intellectual sides of faith. He is erudite, humble, and wise. He ponders some age-old questions, though ultimately unanswerable, in a moving and satisfying way. --Shawn Carkonen

Harvesting a variety of sources -- diverse religious traditions; classical and modern texts; and a lifetime of personal experiences, interactions, and spiritual encounters -- Price meditates on God's participation in our fate. With candor and sympathy, he offers the reader such a rich variety of tools to explore these questions as to place this work in the company of other great testaments of faith from St. Augustine to C. S. Lewis.

Letter to a Man in the Fire moves as much as it educates. It is a rare combination of deep erudition, vivid prose, and profound humanity.