Out of Sorts

December 7, 2015
Bessey (Jesus Feminist) combines intimate storytelling and spiritual reflection as she recounts how she has grappledâand continues to grappleâwith her faith. Weaving together a disarmingly honest profession of her own spiritual journey with insights from theologians and writers, Bessey explores the ideas of a Christ-centered Christianity, community, grief, social justice, and vocation. She is candid about her struggles to reconcile the Bible with her concept of Jesus, and the six years she spent away from church. She encourages others to not be afraid of sorting through spiritual concerns, the uncomfortable in-between, or even the wilderness: "Religion tells us that it's all figured out, there is nothing left to learn, here are the answers, so learn them. But instead, I pray you would be an explorer, you would recover delight and wonder and curiosity about your faith, about God, and about the story with which you continue to wrestle." Bessey's charming, beautifully expressive writing transforms a subject often plagued by anger, frustration, and sadness into one of forgiveness, redemption, and hope. Accompanying discussion questions invite the reader to sort out their own faith.

November 1, 2015

Evangelical Christians have gained a reputation for being certain about matters of faith. Blogger Bessey (coauthor, Jesus Feminist) shares with her readers the power of uncertainty in the face of the transformative reality of the Spirit. Instead of arguments, Bessey invites readers into a conversation of loosely topical vignettes. These biographical reflections are a feast of wit, passion, criticism, intelligence, and, above all, gentleness. Whether Bessey is addressing how to handle theology, the authority of Scripture, social justice, or the problem of evil, it is always as a story. Along the way, we walk with her in her early embrace of the Charismatic Movement, her disillusionment with it and Christianity in general, and finally her critical reconciliation. Even when citing scientists, philosophers, and theologians, the author's aim isn't to invoke an authority but to draw readers in with the power of her words. If anything is missing, it may be a narrative of something truly decisive in the church--for instance, sexual orientation. Perhaps there are limits to compassionate and open criticism. VERDICT Bessey offers a good forum for Evangelical Christians to question what they believe without getting bent out of joint.--James Wetherbee, Wingate Univ. Libs., NC

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.