Seeing Through Cynicism: A Reconsideration of the Power of Suspicion

This book helped me to see the ways in which I have been steeped and stained by cynicism. It helped me to step outside and look at cynicism critically. Keyes is a clear thinker and a clear and accessible writer. I have purchased multiple copies of this book to give as gifts.

We need this book. In an era when we don't believe the promises of any politician but vote for the one who promises the most, we need someone to challenge us to think. Keyes doesn't just have the perfect title and great thesis, he works through it clearly, succinctly, humbly, and inspiringly. My first copy is gone, never to return. I'm buying several so I can talk through it with friends.

We have used this book in several one on one studies. The book takes a good approach of moving the reader through the process of thought.

I bought this book to help myself deal with cynicism. I didn't need a detailed description of what cynicism is. I'm living it- I know what it is.

Modern life, for all its benefits, all its luxuries, is a deeply cynical time. Many people are past being deeply disturbed by scandal and hypocrisies in government, business and entertainment and especially in the Christian church. Seeing Through Cynicism is an attempt to pastorally get people to think through why we are so deeply cynical, and what a Christian model, based on an omnipotent God who makes claims of justice has to say about our deep cynicism.Keyes is a director of a US branch of L'abri Fellowship, an evangelical organization dedicated to meeting skeptics and life's wounded directly with Christian truth. The singular statement that I think sums up Keyes work here is that the God of the Bible is in no way cynical, at all, about anything, yet he knows all and is everywhere - he sees the vanities, the hypocrisies and the deceptions that make up our daily lives; which are multiplied by billions every day. The question he explores is why, and why are we so cynical about so much?He offers several explanations for why we are so cynical, which ultimately reflect on our attempt to resolve a theological tension on our own, outside of Biblical revelation. So in a large sense, Keyes is quite cynical about cynicism. Like many thing associated with L'abri, he doesn't just make ad hominem attacks against a concept, but seeks to honestly understand why something arises, and seeks to discover the real theological points behind it.With cynicism, he turns from the honest assessment, and seeks to provide real alternatives, not a pollyanna - ish approach of internal happiness for happiness sake, not in this real world. So Keyes is largely attempting to be more frank and `real' than any cynic can be about the nature of life as we know it.The real joy of this book is its hopeful look towards a reality based on life that interacts with a good, personal and ruling God. This is a book of frank counsel and useful for pastoral counseling and discipleship. Many folks use their cynicism as a desperate crutch of their own making, and Keyes wants the reader to lay that crutch down and embrace a stronger, more real, reality.

This book has quite a bit of information for Christians. In this day of anger against our government, anger against some of our church hierarchy, and anger against marriage...this book is filled with Bible-based Christian motivations for hope.It has a thorough analysis of cynicism itself. And the book does a good job of showing a general overview of the reasons for cynicism, as well as the history of cynicism.Throughout the book, the author deals with the cynicism against God, the church, government, and individuals.The author also gives us reason for hope and practical applications of our Christian faith in daily living. Overall, a wonderful book with a true Christian spirit!If you are a Christian and find yourself cynical about our world today, this book is for you.If you are not a Christian, but accept the possibility of God, then this book is for you.If you are a devout atheist, there are parts of this book that can be for you.

Want to see your self in a different type of mirror, this one looks on the inside. Come to understand yourself and see the damage that cynicism creates in a life, a community, a nation. It has challenged me in a way that I needed. Please read this book, maybe with someone and grow together.Tim Wright