Romance of Religion: “Faith is an adventure, a journey, a quest... It’s a great story”




Great stories are timeless. For centuries now, the Bible has stood out as the best story of all time.

FR. DWIGHT LONGENECKER
The Romance of Religion, Author
"Faith is an adventure, it’s a journey, it’s a quest. It’s a great story.”

But the Bible is much more than just a good story. In his latest book, 'The Romance of Religion,' Fr. Dwight Longenecker, ties elements of the great classical novels to the Bible: Everything from great saints to Biblical heroes.

FR. DWIGHT LONGENECKER
The Romance of Religion, Author
"The Romance of Religion is not so much about erotic romance and human love. Instead it’s using the word romance as great stories.”

As it turns out, the book has also turned into a tool for the New Evangelization. What better way to transmit the Gospel, he says, than by sharing faith stories. From successes and disappointment to highs and lows. But he does admit, he often sees one major obstacle.

FR. DWIGHT LONGENECKER
The Romance of Religion, Author
"Some Catholics don’t have a faith story to share. So I say to people when I’m out on speaking engagements, I say, 'Look you need your faith stories, but if you don’t have one, you better get one.”

In fact he has his own unique faith story to share. Growing up, he was an Evangelical Protestant. Then he was an Anglican priest for 10 years, before eventually becoming a priest in the Catholic Church.

Along the way, he says he's learned that in essence, religion isn't just a list of rules and dogmas.

FR. DWIGHT LONGENECKER
The Romance of Religion, Author
"We need those. I’m not throwing those out the window, but to say that those are the map for the journey, they are not the journey.”

He says the key to having that special faith story to share, is the willingness to start one's faith journey...one step at a time.
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