Spiritual but Not Religious : The Search for Meaning in a Material World

A Guide for Exploring the Horizons of Your Heart

More people than ever find themselves unfulfilled by merely material abundance and prosperity. More people than ever find their hearts yearning for some kind of satisfaction beyond swiping right or going viral. This is because the human soul was made for more than video games, social media, SMS messages, and flashy distractions.

This book, written with the warmth, sincerity, and clarity characteristic of Father Bartunek’s many popular books, opens the door to a rediscovery of the spiritual landscape present in every human heart.

Maybe you are spiritually restless yourself. Maybe you know others who are, and you want to connect with them better. In either case, this book is for you. It will take you where few dare to go through a fearless exploration of questions like these:

• Why does “spirituality” attract us, and what does that word really mean?
• What is the real difference between “spirituality” and “religion”? 
• Aren’t all religions basically the same?
• How is it possible to be “religious but not spiritual”?
• What are the implications of choosing to be “spiritual but not religious”?
• Does truth enrich or impoverish our spiritual life?

Father Bartunek takes you on a tour of your own soul through his reflections on these themes and more, weaving together philosophy, natural theology, personal experiences, and analyses of selected works of art to make this a truly one-of-a-kind book.

You won’t read this book and move on. You will read this book and grow, and then you will want to dip back into it again and again, to keep on growing. It’s a book for a lifetime.

The horizons of the heart are vast, and often treacherous – which is one reason why so many people today hesitate to explore them. Father Bartunek is a wise guide who leads you deeper into your own self as he shows you how to continue your unique search for lasting meaning in an overly materialized world.

Fr. John Bartunek, LC, S.Th.D, received his BA in History from Stanford University in 1990. He comes from an evangelical Christian background and became a member of the Catholic Church in 1991. After spending time as a teacher, coach, and actor, he entered the religious Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ in 1993 and was ordained in 2003, and earned his doctorate in moral theology in 2010. He provided spiritual support on the set of Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.” His most widely known book is called The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer. Fr. John has contributed news commentary regarding religious issues on NBC, CNN, Fox, and the BBC. He currently resides in Michigan, where he continues his writing apostolate and serves as a confessor and spiritual director.