Book Description
This book is written for people who are tempted to leave the church because the message they have been hearing has come to seem intellectually unacceptable, morally objectionable, or spiritually deadening, maybe even all three. Often, these people see no alternative to the version of Christian faith that they now find difficult to accept. They have been told that rejecting anything they have been taught means ceasing to be a Christian.
What they have been told is wrong. But seeing new possibilities means reconsidering assumptions that are often taken for granted, and it can be difficult to imagine on your own a form of faith different from what you are used to. This book provides some help. It can be thought of as a guide for those who see the need to let go of some of what they have been taught, but don’t know how to replace it with something better.
Rethinking your faith can be scary. But giving up on what is unbelievable can help to clear the way for the kind of faith that is more believable and ultimately more satisfying. Changing your mind can be a way of saving your faith.
Reader Reviews
“This book offers autobiographical reports about growing up with conservative or fundamentalist teachings, along with accounts of how the author rethought much of what he was taught. The general lesson is that many of us need to do something similar. What we have learned from our churches of origin should be thought of as a version of Christianity, and developing a mature faith requires us to rethink teachings that we have reason to question. The goal is not to end up without a faith, but to arrive at a deeper and more reasoned faith.”
“This book is perfect for anyone who grew up in the Church who is feeling disconnected from the "Christianity" that we see in the media these days and is trying to make sense of their own faith in light of that. I grew up son of a Baptist minister and my Christian faith is integral to who I am. However, what is in the media these days is not Christianity, it is Christian nationalism, most of which is in direct conflict with Jesus' teachings. I've spent years unpacking the dogmatic focus of my upbringing. David Holley does a wonderful job peeling back the layers of the bad teaching and indoctrination that so many of us endured, and helps us realize that we can have a stronger faith built on a clearer understanding of Jesus's teachings and life example. It's also a great book for those curious about Christianity but can't buy into the conservative version that is more commonly encountered. I've bought this book for others as well as myself and the response has been universal - it's been an awakening and a freeing journey!
“I’ve struggled with religion at times. This book really gave me permission to connect my heart and my head to scripture vs in popular Christian culture at times we are ask to disassociate our minds from the whole thing.”
“This book speaks to many teachings in Christianity, some of which are quite messy at times and can be stumbling blocks to anyone seeking honesty in their faith. The author is also able to clearly communicate on topics that can be quite lofty and hard to understand for a lot of us by not using “Christianese” language and unfamiliar theological terms. I came away with a lot to think about without feeling put down or dismissed for having questions. I recommend this book for those seeking information about Christianity as well as those who wish to go deeper in exploring why they’ve believed what they were taught to believe.”
“Dr. Holley has accomplished an impressive feat: he has written a deeply personable and relatable book, while never sacrificing the logic or intellect necessary to engage the theological questions and concepts he explores. Indeed, this read is very smart. But more than that, it is and will be incredible helpful to readers slogging through the muck of faith deconstruction, which can often feel like an untethering. His book grounds readers in a reimagined faith that honestly makes good sense.”