Finding God in the Waves

How I Lost My Faith and Found It Again Through Science

By: Mike McHargue

Narrated by: Mike McHargue

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

What do you do when God dies? It's a question facing millions today, as science reveals a universe that's self-creating, American culture departs from Christian social norms, and the idea of God begins to seem implausible at best and destructive at worst.

Mike McHargue understands the pain of unraveling belief. In Finding God in the Waves, Mike tells the story of how his Evangelical faith dissolved into atheism as he studied the Bible, a crisis that threatened his identity, his friendships, and even his marriage. Years later, Mike was standing on the shores of the Pacific Ocean when a bewildering, seemingly mystical moment motivated him to take another look. But this time, it wasn't theology or scripture that led him back to God - it was science.

In Finding God in the Waves, "Science Mike" draws on his personal experience to tell the unlikely story of how science led him back to faith. Among other revelations, we learn what brain scans reveal about what happens when we pray; how fundamentalism affects the psyche; and how God is revealed not only in scripture but in the night sky, in subatomic particles, and in us.

©2016 Mike McHargue; foreword copyright 2016 by Rob Bell (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"[ Finding God in the Waves] may offer much-needed hope that Christianity and science can coexist." ( Publishers Weekly)

new old faith, new life

I laughed, I cried, you know how that goes. I'm a former leader deconstructing, trying to find what I'm looking for, as U2 sang. Mike's search and journey offers hope that a personal balance with science and Jesus, while loving those I formerly served, is attainable. I'm thankful for all the work you've done, Mike.

Loved it

Honest and polished account of human growth and development. Not with any agenda, just an open mind and heart. This story creates space and helps make space for the reader, while helping to affirm those who are in a cycle of spiritual (or human) growth. Generous and graceful.

I love books narrated by the author.

the author gives an insight to the book that Mariners don't have. The book is a good testimony of how he lost and found his religion. explains the elasticity of the brain and how the brain that lets you see God.

Thank you!

Thank you thank you thank you Mike for this gift. You have been inspirational to me over the past year or so as I've listened to you on The Liturgists. When I found that podcast I finally knew there were people who felt and believed like I did. People who were deconstructing and needed help navigating through that. This book touches on most everything that has been in my heart and on my mind. I thank God for you and I hope that this book can help others as it did me. There will be people with pitchforks but that's ok....this book won't be understood or agreed upon by everyone but it's YOUR truth and so many others' as well. With so much love, Andrea the promiscuous virgin on the worship team.

Excellent read for anyone deconstructing

This book was so helpful as I’ve been deconstructing my faith for about a year now. It helped me give permission to myself to possibly salvage a faith I just wanted to throw out the window.

Gentle and challenging

Mike will cause you to dive deeper into what you believe, that's a good thing.

I listened on a long drive

This was a good way to pass the time... kept me interested all the way through. I'm planning to listen again when I can pay closer attention to the scientific details.

Science Mike and the Crisis of Faith

Mike's story is captivating amd easy to relate to. For anyone who found God after a dark night of the soul, this is a must listen.

Different perspective that I needed to hear

The book challenged my beliefs while giving alternatives in perspective. Beautifully written and worth reading the whole book. WARNING: don't walk away from the book without letting him finish his thoughts, it all makes sense in the end. There were so many instances where I had to pause the audiobook and process the ideas he proposed to fully grasp the truth placed before me. Also this is his story with his wrestles and struggles with finding God; it taught me a lot about my relationship with God even though there were some instances that we didn't agree on.

Listened Straight Through!

A warm and informative story that offers love to atheists, evangelical Christians, and everyone between.