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carebcut's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely describes how God has broken down my unhealthy need for control and certainty in my own faith. And reveals the beauty, freedom, and peace that comes with letting go and trusting in God, rather than my own ability to understand or defend my faith. Some of my favorite quotes:
“Trust in God, not correct thinking about God, is the beginning and end of faith, the only true and abiding path.”
“Being right about God, and making sure everyone else agreed with what I knew might not be the most important thing I could do in God’s eyes.”
“To risk my own sense of certainty about God and love others, where and how they are, no matter how they do on my theology exam. It’s much easier acting on the need to be right, than letting go of that need, and risking what we hold dear and loving others without expecting anything back, or thinking we are scoring points with God.”
“Trust in God, not correct thinking about God, is the beginning and end of faith, the only true and abiding path.”
“Being right about God, and making sure everyone else agreed with what I knew might not be the most important thing I could do in God’s eyes.”
“To risk my own sense of certainty about God and love others, where and how they are, no matter how they do on my theology exam. It’s much easier acting on the need to be right, than letting go of that need, and risking what we hold dear and loving others without expecting anything back, or thinking we are scoring points with God.”
jasonoconal's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
jennicajackson's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
tamara_joy's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
sketchjester's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.75
aediger2's review against another edition
4.0
Enns provides a compelling understanding of Christianity based on faith rather than belief. This mentality brings a freedom from the crippling fear of doubt or the feeling that God is not present.
In a time when so many young adults are electing to leave the church, Enns identifies what might be the reason - the need for "correct thinking." Perhaps many who have left Christianity do so for reasons that could be preventable had the focus been less on certainty of the spiritual and more on being faithful to act according to the ways of the Lord.
This book is a refreshing understanding of what genuine Christian faith looks like and is a respite from hard core theologies and political interpretations of religion.
In a time when so many young adults are electing to leave the church, Enns identifies what might be the reason - the need for "correct thinking." Perhaps many who have left Christianity do so for reasons that could be preventable had the focus been less on certainty of the spiritual and more on being faithful to act according to the ways of the Lord.
This book is a refreshing understanding of what genuine Christian faith looks like and is a respite from hard core theologies and political interpretations of religion.
kay_kay_marie's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good book but a challenging one. What I appreciate is it helped me see things from the eyes of others who struggle in seasons of doubt. Enns was honest about his walk, and I’d say it’s more like a gentle biography than a teaching book. What we have to be cautious of is assuming that now Enns has the only right way. Often, our desire for being right and harnessing control of our ideas of faith and God end us placing us in a category of black and white. I’m learning to let people experience their walk and simply focus on mine.
But, I can see how if you believe strongly in your beliefs and think anyone else is wrong, this could be a particularly painful or infuriating book to read. I read a similar review to this train of thought.
But, I can see how if you believe strongly in your beliefs and think anyone else is wrong, this could be a particularly painful or infuriating book to read. I read a similar review to this train of thought.
betanine's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Peter Enns describes his journey from a religious belief with certain, clearly defined parameters that explain God and exactly what God wants from the people of the world to a faith that trust God, even when Enns doesn’t understand God.
For some, the thoughts in this book are hard to hear when we feel we need to know exactly who God is and what God wants of us and how God will behave.
For some, this is a basin as we struggle to understand how God can be all moving when God commands the Israelites to commit genocide in the Old Testament.
Finally, there are some who will find the thoughts in this book a mix of the two previous groups. In parts afraid of losing a strong base for belief while still struggling with experiences that do not line up with their belief in who God is and what God is supposed to do.
I have wrestled with the ideas in the book over the last 20+ years. Hearing someone else who hasn’t lost faith in God express them gives me hope that I haven’t dialed it in. Enns argues that the better definition of faith is to trust someone, even when you don’t know what they will do or why they will do it. This allows God to be bigger and more powerful in my mind and not one who is easily manipulated by what I want when I want it. It is both a harder and easier way to live in God.
For some, the thoughts in this book are hard to hear when we feel we need to know exactly who God is and what God wants of us and how God will behave.
For some, this is a basin as we struggle to understand how God can be all moving when God commands the Israelites to commit genocide in the Old Testament.
Finally, there are some who will find the thoughts in this book a mix of the two previous groups. In parts afraid of losing a strong base for belief while still struggling with experiences that do not line up with their belief in who God is and what God is supposed to do.
I have wrestled with the ideas in the book over the last 20+ years. Hearing someone else who hasn’t lost faith in God express them gives me hope that I haven’t dialed it in. Enns argues that the better definition of faith is to trust someone, even when you don’t know what they will do or why they will do it. This allows God to be bigger and more powerful in my mind and not one who is easily manipulated by what I want when I want it. It is both a harder and easier way to live in God.
danisacchi's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This book should be required reading for all who identify as Christian. Enns articulates so well what many of us experience when we ask questions in unwelcome spaces that prioritizes correct thinking - "the dark night of the soul," or wilderness. With gentleness, he teaches us how to separate our ideas about God (which often comes from toxic people and places) and our faith/trust in God. Enns gives us permission to experience uncertainty and doubt while also trusting and being near to God. A beautiful, necessary read I'll come back to frequently.