Have a Little Faith: A True Story

As the book’s title suggests, Have a Little Faith probes issues related to a belief in a higher power. Through his conversations with the Reb on a variety of subjects, Mitch Albom comes to appreciate the transformative power of faith in several contexts and the value this can have in one’s life.

One such context concerns the dichotomy of the individual and the community. Faith is often accompanied by a sense of community in an organized religious setting such as a church or temple. Without faith, many individuals would lack the social support that is perhaps more difficult to achieve outside of this organized setting. In addition to the benefits of a faith-based sense of community, the Reb laments a loss of communal feeling that has set in as a result of social changes, including increased busyness and reliance on technology. By contrast, the Reb continues to prioritize personal interaction with others, preferably in person. In the Reb’s view, faith is the lifeblood of a sacred community, allowing people with shared values to support one another. Even outside of the worship setting, the Reb uses faith to make connections with those around him and create a sense of community that would otherwise be lost.