In Search of Deep Faith: A Pilgrimage into the Beauty, Goodness and Heart of Christianity - Softcover

Jim Belcher (Ph.D., Georgetown; M.A., Fuller) is associate professor of practical theology at Knox Theological Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He previously served as the founding church planter and lead pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California. He is the author of the award-winning Deep Church.

"Part travelogue, part parenting manual . . . this book aims to assist pilgrims and parents on their own journey of faith. . . . In truth, there is only one person who ever had authentic faith. What makes the sainted heroes about whom Belcher writes untrivial is their struggle with Jesus Christ and their growth in his likeness. His faithfulness to them is what liberates them from the tedium of being a good example." (Thomas W. Currie, The Presbyterian Outlook, February 17, 2014)

"In Search of Deep Faith is an engaging, informative journey into the lives, times and significance of heroes of the Christian faith. Their stories of sacrifices and devotion to God will inspire worship leaders to more passionately lead others in worship." (Jeff Friend, Worship Leader Magazine, March/April 2014)

"In Search of Deep Faith . . . points us through many stories to the one answer in Christ. It invites us to pilgrimage together in a life of faith, risk, and, above all else, to know God better. The cloud of witnesses have gone before us, lived out deep faith, and finished the race. We are on a journey to do the same, and this book is a welcome companion for the way." (Steve McKoy, The Gospel Coalition Book Reviews, February 2014, thegospelcoalition.org/book-reviews)

"In Search of Deep Faith creates a love for courageous Christians of history, connects these discoveries to the challenges of today's world, and charts a course through the European continent that I would love to trek." (Paul Atwater, "The 2014 Leadership Book Awards," Leadership Journal, Winter 2014)

"In his new book, Belcher expands upon the idea of deep church, investigating the sources of modern doubt and skepticism and sharing examples of Christian witness. In Search of Deep Faith helps readers discover just that: a faith with the power to carry through the ages and still convict our hearts today." (Relevant, September-October 2013)

"'Come and see' is always and everywhere the invitation to the truest learning, and Jim Belcher is a remarkably gifted teacher, drawing young and old, believer and skeptic, into his own pilgrimage. Allowing us the unusual grace of seeing over his shoulder and through his heart as he leads his family into the stories of the people and places that have shaped his own soul, Belcher asks the honest questions about life and the world that we all ask, and answer. I want everyone I know and love to read In Search of Deep Faith, learning from Dr. Belcher about the things that matter most. A Pilgrim's Progress for the twenty-first century." (Steven Garber, The Washington Institute, author of The Fabric of Faithfulness)

"Equal parts pilgrimage memoir, parenting book, theological reflection and biography collection, In Search of Deep Faith takes you on a particularly fascinating journey. That combination might sound strange, but it totally works, allowing us to view historical authors, theologians, artists and dissidents through the eyes of the author and his family, and to reflect on theological anchor points as if we were traveling with them." (Mark Oestreicher, partner, The Youth Cartel)

"A generation that desires to be 'radical' needs to be reminded that the word actually means 'rooted.' Jim Belcher's beautifully written family adventure through Europe provides an accessible, and touchingly personal, introduction to our Christian roots and church history. He reminds us that if we think we've seen farther, it's only because we stand on the shoulders of giants." (Skye Jethani, author of With and Futureville)

"Jim Belcher's intimate portrayal of his family's year-long journey through Europe reminds us that it is in life's pain, suffering and trials that we discover beauty, and its Creator." (Daniel A. Siedell, author of God in the Gallery)

"Winston Churchill famously said, 'The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.' My friend Jim Belcher points the way forward by taking us on a compelling journey back through time and place in search for the ways in which the Christian faith has impacted the world, transformed people and shaped cultures. The fruit of Jim's year-long pilgrimage throughout Europe, In Search of Deep Faith is a personal, probing and provocative adventure into the robust realism of the Christian faith. Highly recommended." (Tullian Tchividjian, senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and author of One Way Love)