“I’m ’round the corner from anything that’s real,
crossing the threshold of hope…”
–Modified U2’s “One Step Closer”
 
My mom gave me JPII’s “Crossing the Threshold of Hope” for Christmas, and though I’m only about a third of the way done with it, I am already planning on buying multiple copies of it to give to my atheist, agnostic, and Protestant friends.
 

Why? Because it is written in a question-and-answer style from an interview that John Paul II did many years ago, and the questions he answers are ones that all people ask, like “Does God exist?” and “Why doesn’t God just clearly show us that he is real?”.
 
John Paul approaches every question from his deep understanding and faith in the Catholic Church and Jesus. The questions begin broadly but then begin to focus on more specific topics as the book progresses, eventually asking and answering the most important questions for non-believers and believers alike.
 
If you have a friend or family member who does not believe in God or who does believe but has some difficulties believing in all that the Church teaches, this book would be a great gift and catalyst for discussion and insight. May John Paul the Great pray for us!