This book is about my journey out of Christian evangelicalism and fundamentalism. Part autobiography. Part theological reflection. Part biblical studies. It explores topics like religious evolution, worldviews, the evangelical, charismatic, and fundamentalist churches, Jesus, the bible, and heaven and hell, among others. It is for fellow travellers on the road from these movements and offers a way ahead.
This book weaves together three strands: a biographical account of a man leaving a Christian fundamentalist way of life; a theological exploration of Christianity and aspects of Judaism; and an examination of the history of early Christianity. The author’s journey is deeply heartfelt, personal, and disarmingly honest, making it highly engaging throughout.
The book is likely most rewarding for readers with at least a basic familiarity with the Bible and Christian tradition (my own understanding is fairly limited, but it was enough in this case), and may feel less accessible to those without that background. That said, the sections that explore human self-doubt when confronted with the absolute certainty of Christian fundamentalism are particularly compelling. The way this conflict leads to a complete re-evaluation of faith, identity, and life is handled with great sensitivity, and it is these reflections that I suspect will stay with me long after finishing the book.