You Are Not Alone: A Guide To Following Jesus In A Secular Age

by Phil Manginelli

For two thousand years, Christians have wrestled with significant theological challenges. Why now has deconstruction been a new phenomenon consuming our generation? The history of the church has faced difficult conversations around belief. Why now are we reimagining the historical positions of our faith?

What is happening that has led to a seismic collapse in Western Christianity?

The answer is because we are the first followers of Jesus in a secular age, and hidden in our Christian stories is the presence of another kingdom. Like a ghost in the atmosphere, it has been shaping us, creating the allegiances we didn't know we were making. Our generation is in crisis because of the lies of secularism, and we must no longer hand them over.

You Are Not Alone is a guide to understanding our cultural moment and rediscovering a faith that can flourish in a new world.

230 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2024

Reviews

[hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book—200 pages of simplified philosophy tracing how the 21st century Western world started adopting a secular, God-less ideology. This directly impacts, well, everyone, but it especially provides context as to why so many people who once professed sincere faith in God have deconstructed their faith. There were so many moments in this book which I could relate to, or knew someone close to me who could. I was most impacted by the six truth claims of secularism, which have unknowingly influenced my perception of Jesus/faith simply because of the culture I live in. In case you’re curious, they are:

1. You need to be true to yourself
2. You are free to live however you want, as long as it does no harm
3. No one has the right to say what’s right or wrong
4. Uncertainty is the ultimate form of sincerity
5. Your experiences and emotions are the authorities of your reality
6. Happiness is the goal; pain is the enemy

All six of these claims are lies many followers of Jesus believe because these are the messages we are inundated with constantly, but they fall short when holding them up the life Jesus actually led. This book has given me language both for empathizing with the brokenhearted and challenging the lies of my culture to take up Kingdom culture. Would highly recommend to anyone who has ever experienced seasons of doubting God or the Church, and anyone who wonders what their role/purpose is as a Christ-follower.

[Katie Shaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried through so many parts of this book as the author walked through the pains and hardships of what it is like to be human and the very real and difficult things we have to wrestle with trying to follow Jesus. For anyone who has ever felt alone in their pain and questions, Phil Manginelli's words feel like a familiar friend offering a gentle and steady hand to hold; a refreshment to the heart that feels tired. PLUS it was such a quick and consumable read. Can not recommend more!

[Josie Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, thoughtful, patient and warm

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've so appreciated the writings of those who have addressed what we're facing in the increasingly secularized culture of the West, how we got here, and the contrast between Secularism's truth claims and those of the Gospel of Jesus. Great minds like Nancy Pearcey, Francis Schaeffer, Carl R. Trueman, and Lesslie Newbigin have helped me understand this new and rapidly shifting world we live in. These contributions have been important, but it can be easy to get lost in all the dates, movements, names, and ideas, while trying to apply the insights to everyday life.

This is where Phil Manginelli's You Are Not Alone shines. While the authors above contribute academic rigor, Manginelli offers a deeply pastoral heart on the issue, cutting to the core of how we have all been immersed in Secularism's siren song, how to identify its toxins in our own souls, and how to turn our eyes on Jesus once again. He weaves personal narrative, biblical stories, and cultural insights masterfully, addressing our felt hopelessness with clarity on where we find ourselves and a rousing call to re-anchor in the only One who can meet our deepest longings.

If you've been impacted by friends and family who have left the faith, been hurt by the church, wrestled with your own doubt and confusion, and feel the fallout and disorientation of it all while fighting to hold on to Jesus, pick this book up!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phil has amazingly articulated the subversive nature of how our current culture shapes our personal stories. It shines light on the way pain and shame deforms our ability to deeply know God and one another. And most importantly, it gives us a path to the hope we have in the healing available with Jesus.

Whether you’re a church leader or in a season of questioning faith, I believe this book is a must-have for your bookshelf.

[Deanna Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phil has amazingly articulated the subversive nature of how our current culture shapes our personal stories. It shines light on the way pain and shame deforms our ability to deeply know God and one another. And most importantly, it gives us a path to the hope we have in the healing available with Jesus.

Whether you’re a church leader or in a season of questioning faith, I believe this book is a must-have for your bookshelf.

[Rebecca Gunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve ever read about secularism that so clearly defines it and healthily enables Christians to call it out in their own lives and see how it has and continues to influence everything and how to turn our eyes away from the world and towards Jesus. This book definitely made me think, ponder and understand some things about the modern faith/secular struggle that no other Christian book articulates so well and is unashamed to go there. Amazing first book Phil, you should be proud of what the Lord is doing through you!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just 16 pages into the book and I feel seen! I also see my stories, and those of family, friends, and clients represented. If you’ve experienced pain and struggled to make meaning out of it especially in light of your faith in Jesus, this book is for you. Would recommend reading it with among friends (aka not alone!).

[Trenton Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We must no longer be undiscipled disciples of Jesus.”

This quote is a great reminder of why Phil wrote this book. Followers of Jesus must be able to understand the secular narratives that are being formed and proclaimed to our lives. But this book is more than just cultural discourse. It is an invitation to follow Jesus into becoming disciples who go and do as he did. Highly recommend!

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compassionate, convicting and insightful understanding on the air we breathe as Christians in the West. I would highly, highly recommend this book to anyone who is sincerely following Jesus and is somewhat new to that (less than 5 years or so) and for anyone who works with people like that.

[Ericka Tadema · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is exactly what we all need in this current season of life. It is filled with wisdom, powerful stories and examples, and a depth of knowledge on secularism. You will not be disappointed!

[Trevor Atwood]

A solid addition to the Charles Taylor-esque conversation on a secular age.

Especially helpful are his timelines, definitions, and lists

Read it.

[Caroline Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've taken the red pill. we see through a glass darkly. now what do we do with it?

[Jennie Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so in depth about the modern Christian life in a secular world. Author Phil Manginelli has a pastoral but honest voice that balances in-depth research with readability. If you are looking for real information and real hope about the secular crisis in which we find ourselves, I highly recommend this read.