As a teenager, John Marks was a born-again Christian, but eventually abandoned his faith. Years later, as a producer for the TV show "60 Minutes," he interviewed a couple about the Left Behind series, the bestselling Christian novels about the apocalypse. At the end of the interview, they asked John a question: would he be left behind? In other words, had he accepted Jesus as his savior or would he go to hell?
Reasons to Believe is Marks's answer to that question. As a former Evangelical Christian, he attempts to understand those who now condemn his way of life. He grapples with the message that millions of Evangelicals attempt to deliver to their fellow citizens every day, speaking with missionaries, political activists, theologians, musicians, and filmmakers -- the rich and powerful, the poor and broken, and the pastors who have turned small congregations into megachurches. Marks also tells the story of how, along the way, he finally came to terms with his own faith. John Marks spent a decade at U.S. News and World Report before becoming a producer at "60 Minutes." He is the author of three novels and has an M.A. in creative writing from the University of Iowa. He lives in Massachusetts with his family. "Marks' testament is a moving memoir of a Texas boy and the rise and fall of his Christian faith ... even when discussing institutional and intellectual developments, though, Marks focuses on individuals, and he is moving and eloquent in describing the folks he meets along the way. Marks provides a sympathetic primer on a diverse movement and people." - Chicago Tribune Freshman Common Read: Georgia CollegeAutorentext
After writing for U.S. News & World Report for a decade, John Marks became a producer for Morley Safer at 60 Minutes. Marks is the author of three novels; Reasons to Believe is his first work of nonfiction. He is a Texas native and a graduate of Davidson College, and has an MA in creative writing from the University of Iowa. He lives in Massachusetts with his family.
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From a veteran journalist and former 60 Minutes producer comes an intimate portrait of evangelicals, one of the most influential forces in America today, and the story of how this lapsed believer came to terms with his faith.
"In 2003, while on assignment for 60 Minutes, I interviewed a couple for a piece on the Left Behind series, the bestselling Christian novels about the apocalypse. At the end of that meeting, they asked me a question: would I be left behind? In other words, had I accepted Jesus as my savior or would I go to hell? This book represents the answer to that question."
Born again at age sixteen, John Marks later abandoned his faith. In Reasons to Believe he attempts to cross a deep cultural barrier to understand those who now condemn his way of life. He grapples with the message that millions of evangelicals attempt to deliver to their fellow citizens every day and speaks at length with missionaries, political activists, theologians, Christian musicians, and filmmakers—the rich and powerful, the poor and broken, and the pastors who have turned small congregations into megachurches.
This is familiar and often comforting territory for Marks, and he still has a profound understanding of what it means to be an evangelical. In Reasons to Believe he presents this world from the inside out.