Soul Survivor

How Thirteen Unlikely Mentors Helped My Faith Survive the Church

By: Philip Yancey

Narrated by: Philip Yancey

Length: 5 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Philip Yancey, whose explorations of faith have made him a guide for millions, feels no need to defend the church. "When someone tells me yet another horror story about the church, I respond, 'Oh, it's even worse than that. Let me tell you my story.' I have spent most of my life in recovery from the church."

Yancey acknowledges that many spiritual seekers find few answers and little solace in the institutional church. "I have met many people, and heard from many more, who have gone through a similar process of mining truth from their religious past: Roman Catholics who flinch whenever they see a nun or priest, former Seventh Day Adventists who cannot drink a cup of coffee without a stab of guilt, Mennonites who worry whether wedding rings give evidence of worldliness."

How did Yancey manage to survive spiritually despite early encounters with a racist, legalistic church that he now views as almost cultic? In this, his most soul-searching book yet, he probes that very question. He tells the story of his own struggle to reclaim belief, interwoven with inspiring portraits of notable people from all walks of life, whom he calls his spiritual directors. Soul Survivor is his tribute to 13 remarkable individuals, mentors who transformed his life and work.

©2001 Philip Yancey (P)2001 Random House Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Random House Inc.

food for prayer and wisdom for living

One of my top 5 books of all time. I will definitely be listening to it again, which I rarely do for books. Heaps of wisdom collected from great spiritual leaders. The author's reading is easy to listen to. Quite moving and prayer-inspiring. Thank you Mr. Yancey for this labor of love!

Great Book

Very easy to listen. The short stories/bios of each person he discusses was very inspiring. He paints a picture of what a fully devout disciple of Jesus can become.

most treasured

This is among my most treasured books. For the many people who have been hurt or disillusioned by the hypocrisy they have observed in the church, this is a must read. You will be inspired to read many more books about the fascinating people you meet in this book.

very encouraging

helpful from word one. wish it were longer. one of my favorite books. the stories helped

Christian Hypocricy In Perspective

Christianity comes under attack because of the gross failures and hypocrisy of those who often go out of the way to boldly claim that Christianity is true. This book isn't going to "win" a skeptic who already concludes that the hypocrisy of those who often stand in the media's spotlight as representing "true Christianity". This book does give that skeptic and people who are wondering if there is any credible faith worth believing something to ponder, a counter-balance to those who seem to promote, and enjoy promoting every serious flaws in people of this faith as justification for rejecting this faith. Yancey is honest, transparent, and doesn't white-wash anyone's failures. However, Yancey does provide context, important context, that anyone who is willing to extend their "open-mindedness" into staying open to Christianity, despite adherents whose gross failures undermine this faith's credibility. The first chapter on Martin Luther King alone is worth the price of this book.
"Soul Survivor" is a great book, worthwhile of time invested to read, regardless of whether you believe or do not believe the Christian message. Thanks Philip for another honest look at a topic in a way few others would even approach. Doug Ehrlich

Exceptionally inspiring

Soul Survivor by Philip Yancey is written for those of us who have sometimes struggled with institutionalized religion. I thought it would be a lot of commiserating about the challenges of being part of a Christian church, but instead Yancey chose to write chapters about the 13 people who most inspired him and helped him see what a real religious life looks like. People covered in these mini-biographies include Martin Luther King, Jr., Annie Dillard, Feodor Dostoevsky, Mahatma Gandhi, John Donne, and Shusaku Endo. Strongly recommend it!

Unabridged, please

I read the print copy of this book, it was life-changing and one of my favorite books of all time. There is so much in it to take in, that I would love to read it again and again. That is what I love about audiobooks: one can read or "hear" a book one has read before and gain new insights from it. This was not the case with this "abridged" version. I was thoroughly distracted by what was missing from the original text. Audible, please re-release this book UNABRIDGED. Thank you.

So much to chew on. Yancey never disappoints!

Yancy always gives me so much to reflect on. This book is no different. I remember his name from when he was a columnist or writer for (I think) Campus Life magazine that was around in the 70s when I was a teen and a new believer. I came to trust his writer’s voice back then and am delighted that we both made it all the way to old age and we are both still devoted to our Lord, Christ. Thank you Philip for showing us the the people who have so profoundly shaped and guided your faith as you continue your struggle with Jacob’s God.

Finished & Immediately Restarted!

Listening to this book was like a healing balm. Although I didn’t grow up in an abusive church situation, over the years I’ve become so disillusioned with how well the church is know for who it hates... I was challenged, yet again to bring the disdain I hold against fellow believers and to lay it at the foot of the cross..... I have loved Yancey’s books over the years and I am not sure how I missed this one! But in a way, I think God knew I needed it for such a time as this....

Great Introduction to Philip Yancey

In this abridged version of "Soul Survivor", Philip Yancey narrates his growth in faith through the mentoring of thirteen superb Christian authors.