God Didn't Make Us to Hate Us: 40 Devotions to Liberate Your Faith from Fear and Reconnect with Joy

by Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail

A first-of-its-kind devotional for the disenchanted, disillusioned, and deconstructed

Countless Christians are deconstructing the fear-based faith they were handed, but many don’t want to give up on God—they want to love and be loved by Jesus without hateful or abusive theology. If you’re one of those believers, this feminist, anti-racist, LGBTQ-affirming devotional will take you on a journey of spiritual re-enchantment. Featuring 40 devotions on God’s radical and liberating salvation, it’s here to help you heal your church hurt, restore your sense of community, and embrace Jesus’s heart-healing forgiveness. Move beyond rigid religion and reconnect with the undeniable truth that predates and will outlive all the toxic theology in the God made you to love you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Faith, Christian, Religion, Christianity, Spirituality, Theology

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 18, 2025

Reviews

[Maggie Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a breath of fresh air.

[Renee Renuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book because I wanted to read it before gifting it to someone who is near and dear to me. I haven’t been apart of organized religion for well over 15+ years due to not agreeing with all the practices in Catholicism, and not really finding another that felt right. I like to read about other interpretations and viewpoints. This is the first book I felt a breath of fresh air. I felt it was solely rooted in seeing the love that is ment to be shared through, used for, and supporting every single person. I highly recommend this book if you’re on the edge of religion or have been burned by it. It really has healed some of the past issues I have had with it. It shows religion doesn’t have to be rooted in fear to have followers. It has brought some new light into how I view others and daily situations. It has restored some of my faith in me.

[Mattea Gernentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

December. I was sitting in the passenger seat of my dad's truck as we were driving homeward-bound after our family holiday at the beach. Repetitive miles of wetlands and asphalt and traffic lights. Billboards, too. One in particular made my stomach twist: "GO TO CHURCH OR GO TO HELL."

I spent my childhood surrounded by these signs, by this fear, by this common language. That billboard was not sharing news of divine love. It was only promoting legalism, avoidance, and terror.

I feel heartened that Rev. Lizzie's book exists as a healing balm of gentleness, pointing readers to the enduring faithfulness and creativity of God. I appreciated reading her perspectives as an Episcopal priest, mother, and fellow Southerner. She generously cites other believers and scholars, past and present, to enrich her chapters, and I find that referencing well and often is itself a form of love.

Sometimes the language was a little too on-the-nose or brimming with contemporary colloquialisms for me (e.g. "legit"), but I can sense that the heart of her message is very needed today and trust that this publication is going to impact many people—encouraging, transforming lives, and dissolving bitterness.

This would make a great addition to someone's Lenten routine, just saying. ;)

[Elizabeth Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a lovely book and I am so grateful for Rev. Lizzie for giving us this devotional! Her love for God and for the world shines through on every page. Lizzie not only gives us a beautiful theology but she does it with beautiful prose. I can't wait to use this in my congregation. Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me a copy.

[BespectacledBookGirl]

Finished in tears at near midnight while working in my kitchen. Hugs hugs hugs to Pastor Lizzie for this text ❣️

[Sydney Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

TLDR: This is a good book *IF* and *ONLY IF* you are the target audience. Target audience: liberal and new to faith. Must be both.

I am left-leaning Pentecostal/Evangelical background, I have a degree in ministry and I'm working on my theology Masters. I bought this book because I was really curious. Who is this for? Is this sound theology? And, I was excited to learn from her. Below is my honest review and critique.

First, manage your expectations: I would sooner call this a collection of essays than a devotional.
"Devotions to liberate your faith from fear and reconnect with joy" is just misleading. The book is basically a collection of bite size essays and sermons that cover an overview of the biblical narrative, many of them with modern political and social critique (and unfortunately, a lot of it read as pandering to the left).

The target audience for this book is probably the only audience who will appreciate it. That being said, I think this is a work that will serve them just fine. I think this book is for those who are politically left leaning and who don't necessarily have a complete understanding of who God is, or may not believe God/faith is for them.

For those who care about sound and solid theology, this book unfortunately doesn't have it. Not to say it doesn't exist to support her points, but she doesn't include it. It's more rhetoric than it is theology. For those who care more about a basic knowledge and connection with God, this would be a fine start.

Perhaps the biggest issue I had with the work was the constant connection drawing between Bible stories and current events, most of which were far reaches and some of which were offensive. For example, the author likened the story of Joseph being thrown in a pit by his brothers to the story of Matthew Shepard, a gay man who was tortured and killed in 1998 in Wyoming. The story of Pharoah ordering Hebrew baby boys to be killed was somehow compared to present day immigrants seeking asylum. *sigh.* One of the first things I learned at my Bible college was that you do not read yourself into Scripture. That's ethnocentrism at its finest (which is exactly the problem we have with far right American Christianity). The Bible is not about us. The story of Scripture informs us of who God is, and it is not always applicable. Sometimes there are parallels in Scripture to what is happening currently, but does that mean we put it in a devotional? Is that what edifies our faith? What is the focus here? I digress.

All of that said - I didn't hate the book. I liked it. And the parts I didn't like, I recognize I probably didn't like because I'm not the target audience. I have formal theology education and unfortunately that means I can see all the holes. This is a fine resource for a person discovering or rediscovering their faith, especially those with religious trauma. No resource is perfect and if it brings someone closer to God, I'm for it.

[Caitlin (CMAReads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave me lots to think about and will probably revisit again.

[Devin Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking and healing. Like chatting about life and faith with a fun and wise friend who challenges my thoughts and helps me think of a new perspective.

[annie littleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“why would you believe in something awful when you could believe in something wonderful?” - the hot priest from fleabag

[Reevkah Hokanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The feminist, liberal, lgbtq+ ally, Christian-raised sides of me are obsessed with this book. 🤩 ‘Beloved babe of God’, Reverand Lizzie, offers a breath of fresh air for those navigating the complexities of faith and identity. She dismantles harmful Christian myths, not by replacing them with rigid answers, but by inviting readers into the beauty of mystery.

Through 40 devotions, Rev. Lizzie teaches the stories of Jesus— making them resonate with contemporary life. She explores themes like the multifaceted nature of God beyond traditional gender roles, the Bible as a collection of human experiences rather than a strict rulebook, and the concept of salvation as a communal journey rather than an individual ticket to heaven.

I’m hoping that this book will be a great resource for my clients who are looking for a view of Christianity beyond the typical black & white narratives taught by their childhood religion(s). This book of devotionals is a compassionate companion on the path of finding joy in spirituality.

[Piper Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I set myself on a Lenten task to come closer to God by unlearning the harmful Baptist teachings of my childhood. This book so delightfully guided me on that task. As my priest said this morning at Easter Mass, the resurrection takes us from solitude to solidarity. This book heavily emphasizes the solidarity that Christ teaches. It is quirky, queer-affirming and anti-racist. I highly recommend it as a Lenten read or as a tune up any time of year.

[Jenn | thezebrabookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, reflective journey through the Bible and how a deconstructionist view can bring so much joy! Written with an accessible writing style that the reader can decide how topical or deep they can read into it. Addresses the hard, terrible stories in the Bible with a caring hand to guide you. Creates an inclusive environment for all gender and sexual identities.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually a big fan of reading devotionals because they can feel really cheesy and like they’re meant to make the reader feel a certain way, rather than educating or inspiring the reader to take scripture and make it part of their day. This book was amazing. She consistently includes biblical/historical scholars who focus on marginalized points of view. Her inclusion of Black feminists, womanists, drag queens, and other voices that are typically left out of these (white) religious spaces was something I greatly appreciated. Each section had me wanting to learn more about the ways theology could be used to emphasize the message of love that is supposed to be at the core of Christianity, but is often omitted.

[Lily Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bite size sermons, bite size theology. I’m not quite the target audience for this book (having pretty much avoided religious trauma & certainly not raised in the harmful theology Father Lizzie is counterpointing) and I still found value in it. A few of her parallels were a stretch, but by and large I imagine this viewpoint is a needed oasis for many, and I’m thankful for Father Lizzie’s work here.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this! I didn't necessarily agree with all her theology, but it is such an uplifting, affirmative look at God. God is expansive. I especially loved thinking about God in darkness. So interesting and different from how I usually think of God: doing all things in light.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reconnect with joy for sure! This was excellent, thought-provoking, and contemplative.

[Dani Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5✨ I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook version. This devotional offered hope for the deconstructed, disillusioned and those otherwise grossed out by modern Christianity.

[Luke Lindon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read. Great theology. Wonderfully poetic work and vastly inspiring.

[Sean Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I've read all year 🙏

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook.

I was drawn in by the title, and it didn't disappoint. Each chapter was like a sermon for which I would happily stay awake. Even the acknowledgements were worth listening to.

[Lorin Roemhildt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll talk about this book to everyone I know. It was the best Christmas gift I received last year! The author sees God the same way I do, a loving parent who would do anything for their children, and who loves them despite their mistakes and whatever makes them “different”. It was refreshing and heart warming and I hope to lend this to many people for years to come.

[Caity Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

What joy!

[Olivia Gerakios · Rating 5 out of 5]

as someone who was raised Catholic- I have been struggling with my faith and religion for the past decade or so. after the death of my grandmother, father, childhood dogs, etc all in the span of 5 years, I started questioning how a loving God could put me through such pain and sorrow so early into my life. then I got cancer, and wondered why a God I believed so deeply in would put me through such a difficult trial in life. regardless of my own trials and tribulations, the God I was raised with was a LOVING God. one that did not discriminate, did not hate, did not punish, and did not weaponize the idea of faith or religion. being exposed to different people with different ideologies and upbringings of my own exposed me to the weaponization, politicization, and manipulation that some people use religion as in order to validate their own beliefs, hateful or not.

media and politicians as of recently especially have taken religion and spinned the ideals I believed in so greatly as a child, the ones that made me the person I am today, and turned them ugly, unkind, and unforgiving. this is not the God I know. this is not the faith that I know. this book was like coming up for fresh air. this book was a reminder of who I KNOW God to be. of what I KNOW my religion and faith and relationship with God to be like. for so long I was ashamed to associate myself as a follower of Christ or a believer in God because of the foul and horrific and HATEFULNESS white "Christians" preach, and this book reminded me that if I forget who I am and where my faith is rooted in, I am contributing to the attack on the God I know and love.
Reverend Lizzie McManus-Dail did what I have so longed to do, which is read the Bible and reconnect it to modern day, in order to remind those who claim to follow God, but only when it is convenient for them, the stories they have long forgotten, or otherwise chose to entirely disregard because it did not fit the narrative of the "God" they created in their head.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes from this book.

"The cross has been transformed into a harmless, non-offensive ornament that Christians wear around their necks..... If we wear a weapon, it should be to say that death has lost its sting. We should not wear a cross necklace or have a cross tattoo of the weapon that killed Jesus, as a weapon to yield against other people."

"Jesus was lynched in the sense that historically, Jesus' death mirrors the lynchings of black people, other people of color, and perceived dissidence across America. It was an unjust, mob mentality driven, extralegal killing, carried out under the boot of empire."

"Jesus was lynched in the sense that, whenever a member of the body of Christ dies an unjust, brutal death, this pain is being inflicted in and on Christ."

"So much of colonialist Christian thinking took imagery of light, and read it as white. white supremacy, and the brutalizing subjugation of indignation of indigenous people and cultures in the name of sanctification is a sin against God and one another."

"Children and their caregivers who have to cross rivers seeking safety are blessed by God, who also was an infant refugee and immigrant."

[Haley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my Lenten devotional that I finished early because I could not stop reading it. A devotional that is a page-turner—who would have thought? That's how good it is!!!!!!

I joined the Episcopal Church in 2022. Some time in 2023, I saw Fr. Lizzie twirling in her sparkly chasuble on TikTok and thought to myself, I would be best friends with that woman if I knew her in real life. I listened to every single episode of And Also With You. And when this book finally came out, I promised myself I would save it for Lent and use it as a true devotional, and not speed through it. Which I did... until today.

This is a tender love letter to everyone who comes from a faith tradition rooted in fear. Have you ever stood in the middle of a blooming field, where all you can see in all directions is more fields, and the blinding blue of the sky above you? That's what it feels like to read this. This is God and Christian community at their most expansive. It is colorful and all-encompassing. It cannot be defined—it's just too large and gorgeous. But we look anyway, because to catch even a tiny glimpse of our God is worth the searching.

Importantly, this book does not put forward a faith that ignores darkness, or sin, or suffering. Fr. Lizzie identifies all that, sits with it, and tells us, Our God has conquered all that. And God is sitting right here with us. She reminds us all that people who consider themselves Biblical fundamentalists, or textualists, or whatever they're calling themselves nowadays do not have final dibs on our Scripture. It's ours, all of humanity's, for anyone who wants it. We are reading it through the lens that our loving, liberating God has given us, using our reason and experience.

The Bible is messy! Our lives are messy! Our Scripture mirrors us. The Bible is not some easily understood life manual. It is thousands of years of drama and murder and love and light and darkness. Do we think our God is too small, so tiny that we can put Her in a box, taken out when convenient? Fr. Lizzie doesn't think so. And that reality shines throughout her wonderful debut book.

I will likely reread this for Lent next year. This is worth the investment, because you will be coming back to these beautiful words over and over. My favorite chapters: God is More Like Music; Hagar, the Enslaved Woman Who Named God; The Brutality of Mercy; The Tenacity of a Bleeding Woman; A God You Can Kick in the Shins; Things We Cannot Heal; The Great Vigil of Easter

[Kendall Carroll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never really read a whole devotional book before, so I don't know how this would function for someone looking specifically for that. As just a book, though, I enjoyed this one. I thought the author provided a refreshing and unapologetic perspective that a lot of modern Christianity is missing.

One of my biggest issues with Christian literature that claims to be left-leaning is how surface-level it tends to be. I don't know if this is because it's for people who are newer to the left than I am, or if it's because they're too afraid to alienate people, or if it's some secret third thing. Regardless, most theological books written by and for Christians just miss the mark for me, so I was really excited by this book. I appreciated the author's willingness to dig into the Bible and provide a genuine interpretation that either challenged perceptions or reframed the stories in a new light. I didn't necessarily agree with everything 100% (not that there was anything super off-base either), but I don't think that's the point. It's a line of dialogue that is different than just restating how Jesus told us to love one another — which, while incredibly important, is not exactly an inventive interpretation.

I don't know a lot about the Episcopalian denomination, but I'm pretty sure they are close to the United Methodists theologically (if I'm remembering correctly we're In Communion with one another), so I was also on board with a lot of the basic theology in this book. It was familiar to me. On that note, I'm also not at all in the deconstructing/church-hurt target demographic, so I can't say how this book would be for someone who is. But for someone like me who is eager for theology that does not shy away from left-leaning ideology, I really enjoyed it. I feel like the author would be a really cool person to talk to.

I'd recommend this book to the other church people I know, if for no other reason than to hear their thoughts. While this is meant to be an entry point for people to re-embrace religion in a way that doesn't shame or condemn, I also think it holds value for those of us within the Church. And I like that it's not working too hard to please everyone, but is instead earnestly offering new perspectives and offering a starting point for a new conversation. Again, I know that this author is not the first one to have interpretations like this, and that there are many brilliant minds out there. But this is a good entry point and conversation starter.

[Mollee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot emphasize enough how important this book is to make God's LOVE accessible to all! A devotional that is deeply rooted in theology and Biblical guidance but presented in a way that a reader like me -- growing in faith but no formal education in ministry or theology -- can comprehend and connect with. Rev. Lizzie brings her joy-filled and personal voice to each devotion but maintains a universality that welcomes different lived experiences. For example, I do not have children but found value in her anecdotes about how mothering hers is a window into God's love and care for us as well. I have too many favorites to list out, but know that you'll find new learnings about Bible stories you thought you knew well... and many that celebrate faithful women that often get overlooked in sermons and other books!!! Unlike some other devotionals, this one doesn't just pick a verse and wax poetic out of context -- prepare to get real with the messiness of a faith-filled life!

I know many people at various points of their faith journeys currently reading this book and I can absolutely confirm it changes lives, no matter where you might be in accepting God's love and grace in your own life! Highly recommend the book of course, but the audiobook is also fantastic as you get to enjoy the author reading it herself with a fun & sassy Southern accent!

Thank you Rev Lizzie for writing the devotional that will stay on my nightstand, always within reach, for encouragement and reminders of God's very present love in this world & in me!

[Marianne Pestana · Rating 5 out of 5]

God Didn't Make Us to Hate Us is exactly the kind of devotional I didn’t know I needed—but now can’t stop recommending. Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail brings compassion, clarity, and courage to every page, offering a deeply healing message for anyone who has felt burdened or broken by rigid, fear-based religion. What sets this book apart is its honest and affirming tone. These 40 devotions aren’t just inspiring—they’re liberating. Each one feels like a gentle hand on the shoulder, reminding you that faith doesn’t have to come with shame, exclusion, or fear. Whether you’re deconstructing, rediscovering, or simply exploring your spirituality in a more inclusive way, this book welcomes you with open arms. McManus-Dail writes with depth, grace, and a refreshing sense of authenticity. Without being preachy or overly dogmatic, she invites readers back to a version of faith that is centered in love, joy, and belonging. This isn’t about leaving faith behind—it’s about reclaiming it in a way that’s healing and whole.

Highly recommended for those who’ve ever felt like they had to choose between being true to themselves and staying connected to God. This book proves you don’t have to choose at all.

[Othy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admit that I am probably not the audience for this book. McManus-Dail presents some pretty common Episcopal theology that is encapsulated in the title: God didn't Make Us to Hate Us. In her book, the author reads a variety of stories, from that of Eve to Judas, to demonstrate that God is always interested in deeper communion with us. Some of McManus-Dail's insights are important, such as her discussions of how we think of our bodies. Others are not so helpful, such as shoe-horning the creation story into one that exemplifies God as chaotic. After each little devotion (which is kind of like a little sermon), I thought, "Yeah, that's a good way to look at things" and moved on.

The book is probably best read, however, by those who have been hurt by theologies that see God as hateful, vengeful, violent, or uncaring. I didn't grow up, nor was I educated within such theologies, but I can see that many people need books like this to walk back toxic theologies. I think the book could do really good as a starting point, though I would hope that a person reading these ideas would then bring them into their church community (or to their priest and pastor) to "incarnate" the ideas into how the person lives their life.

[Whitney Moran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this book in a deconstruction reading list and didn’t realize it was a devotional. I didn’t read it as intended, but plan to buy this and re-read it in the future. This is probably the best Christian book I’ve read since reading The Making of Biblical Womanhood in 2021. Rev. Lizzie McManus-Dail wrote a devotional and interpreted Scripture to speak to and acknowledge immigrants, women, the LGBTQIA community, and unhoused people, while also speaking against Christian nationalism and reminding readers why this matters and what our faith means in a world where empathy isn’t valued.

My favorite quote is this: “Whether it is Exodus or whether it is Texas, the will of God is always greater than the empires of man. (The story of Moses) is a story of women choosing solidarity over wealth or security…children and their caregivers who have to cross dangerous rivers seeking safety are blessed by God, who also was an infant refugee and immigrant… God has a long memory, and it is not Pharaoh whom God protects from the storms that are to come. God will hear the groans of the enslaved people in Egypt.”

She quoted The Cross and the Lynching Tree often, which I’m adding to my list!

[Maree Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional is beautiful inside and out. From beginning to end, Lizzie challenges traditional ideas about God and his relationship with us. It's tough to single out a favourite day because each had a different impact on me. However, I think day 37 sums up the essence perfectly: God is offensively generous.

The book is definitely not for everyone; it was written with a very specific audience in mind: those who have been hurt or rejected by the church and are in need of healing. Rev. Lizzie does this very well. Each section calls us to consider stories from different Bible passages in a new way and to turn prejudice on its head. Lizzie beautifully points to a God who deeply loves and cares for each and every one of us, regardless of how controversial we may or may not be, in traditional Christian circles.

I recommend it to anyone who has been deconstructing and is looking for a different perspective and some encouragement.