Jesus Shines Through: A Lifelong Search Through Hippies, Communes, Rage, and Church Culture for the God Who Heals

by Phillip Cohen

Alone … in the dimly lit cell … I’m pacing the perimeter, trying to outrun my own dark thoughts.

I’m only 13 years old. Is this my life and the first step toward dying in a gutter like Dad says I will? Will I be in and out of prison? I walk faster and faster….breaking into a run and then running until I’m exhausted. I unfold the blanket in my cell, spread it on the hard floor, and drop off to sleep.

Crushed by a violent, alcoholic father, and growing up in a world of street gangs, organized crime, and anti-Semitism. Phillip Cohen somehow navigates dangerous neighborhoods from Chicago to Atlanta and Miami. In his late teens and early twenties, his life has been thrust into a desperate existence, wandering homeless through hippie communes, pursuing hard drugs and strange religions, all in his search for healing and love.

Then, just as hope dawns, it fades and dies as Phillip discovers he’s trapped in the suffocating embrace of a heavy-handed ultraconservative Anabaptist church. Twenty-six years pass, and he escapes with his wife and 9 children. Desperately, he runs to mainstream Christianity but doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere.

Phillip’s memoir is an unforgettable exploration of faith, identity, and the profound pursuit of purpose—a journey guided by the light of Jesus shining through it all. A journey that will leave you questioning your own beliefs and longing for the transformative power of love.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2023

Reviews

[Emma Filbrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting. It was also very sad—and encouraging in the end. Unfortunately, I have seen enough in “plain” churches and among other groups of Christians to know that Philip’s experiences were all too true. I was quite saddened by the lack of love and understanding that he found among those who called themselves God’s people, but delighted when someone finally found a way to help him. I really appreciated the realization he came to at one point about the ministry God had for him. We all tend to think that, to be used by God we need to be in full-time ministry of some sort. However, some people’s ministry is business, or daily life, and we need to recognize, as Philip came to eventually, that that can be just as important, and just as used by God, as a full-time pastor, teacher or counsellor.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, and these are my honest thoughts about it.

[Suzan Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author is candid and earnest as he outlines the pitfalls of his spiritual journey through a closed and stagnant community of believers, His story of faith is interesting as he gives a seldom seen view of church politics.

[Daveann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you for this ARC. I am happy that Mr. Cohen was able to share his story and has found peace and purpose. I found myself skimming through the book. There were many repeated paragraphs and his situations were sad, dismal and pitiful. I hope this story helps others and again, it’s wonderful that he sees that Jesus Shines Through.