Born Again and Again: Jesus' Call to Radical Transformation

by Megan Westra

Got salvation? What if salvation is not one more thing to acquire but an invitation to radical transformation? Christians often turn lifeand faithinto one big quest for the good life. We expect to get a good job, loving spouse, a life of comfort, personal satisfactionoh, and salvation with a cherry on top. Our acquisitive impulses arent limited to lattes and designer jeans; Christians in power throughout history have focused on getting people saved, possessing the land, and gaining dominance in government. But what if Christianity isnt about striving for something more, but about renouncing the power and privilege that prevent us from receiving Gods abundant life? What if we are called not to treat salvation as one more thing to pursue but as an invitation to conform to Christ? Born Again and Again is the story of how a religion birthed on the margins of the Roman Empire became functionally the official religion of todays largest military superpower. Pastor and blogger Megan K. Westra takes on the self-serving form of Christianity that has birthed the doctrine of discovery, planet-killing lifestyles, and civil religion. She leads readers into an encounter with the Jesus who gave up everything to come to us and invites us to give up everything to come to him. Conforming to Christ radically reorients our lives, priorities, and faith away from the pursuit of our own interests and toward a pattern of discipleship, setting us free from fear-based consumption and creating new possibilities for connection and belonging within the community of Gods people.

Genres: Theology, Faith, Christianity, Nonfiction, Christian

226 pages, Paperback

Published August 11, 2020

Reviews

[Richard Propes · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's little denying that I follow what would be considered a more progressive theology, a fact that likely explains why I didn't necessarily find first-time author Megan K. Westra's "Born Again and Again: Jesus' Call to Radical Transformation" to be that particularly radical.

There will be those who disagree.

There will be those, gratefully, who will read the words of "Born Again and Again" and a light bulb will go off inside and an "Aha!" moment will follow that leads to, one can hope, changes in both beliefs and practices along the faith journey.

For most who've lived into a more progressive theology, however, "Born Again and Again" will likely read like more of the same with one huge and incredibly important exception - Westra takes the time to deeply explore the scriptural basis for this "radical transformation" and puts a good majority of it into historical context.

Bravo for that.

Westra is on the pastoral staff team at Milwaukee's Transformation City Church, a multi-ethnic non-denominational church that began in the fall of 2007 with a basic question - "What can the church be?"

Indeed, that question seems to be at the core of "Born Again and Again," a book that calls us into connection over consumption and challenges Christians to turn off all the things we expect being "saved" to get us - a good job, a spouse, happiness, a life of comfort, some sense of authority - and settle into the idea that all we're supposed to truly "get" is Jesus.

What if Christianity isn't about possessing but about renouncing, Westra asks? What if we are called not to treat salvation as one more thing to acquire but to conform to Christ?

Where "Born Again and Again" excels is in Westra's scriptural and historical explorations of how a religion birthed on the margins of the Roman Empire became functionally the "official" religion of contemporary society's largest military superpower. Christianity has, in essence, gone from the fringes of society to a dominating presence and "Born Again and Again," at its core, questions whether that domination is really what Christ intended for our lives.

Hint. He didn't, at least not if you believe those red letters.

The doctrine that has resulted all too often has led to planet-killing lifestyles, civil religion, domination over the very types of people Jesus spent most of his time with, and the doctrine of discovery.

Jesus gave up everything to come to humanity; humanity, all too often, seeks to acquire everything when coming to Jesus.

Westra's basic argument in this 226-page manifesto of transformation is that conforming to Christ radically reorients our lives, priorities, and faith away from this dominating mode of acquisition and into a pattern of discipleship that sets us free from fear-based consumption of people, places, and things and releases us into radically transforming possibilities for connection and true belonging within a community of God's people.

"Born Again and Again" explores salvation, Westra's own and the cultural understanding of what salvation has been and what it has become over the years. Westra challenges us to expand our view of salvation before transitioning into what is really a series of essays illustrating the ways that Christianity has spiraled into a consumption-oriented faith rather than the connecting, transforming faith it is intended to be. Exploring such topics as politics, finances, abuse/violence, the roles of women, racial justice, and ending toward the sacredness of Communion, "Born Again and Again" is a consistent and structured exploration of each topic along with a brief but pointed exegesis of scripture and exploration of applicability personally and universally.

Westra's work here is most transforming when exploring how salvation has in some ways been hijacked over the years into its acquisition mode that often contradicts its intent. For much of her book, Westra weaves this transforming tapestry into her words and beautifully balances theology and practicality of daily Christian living. At times, however, "Born Again and Again" settles into a talking point comfort zone, most obviously when discussing both financial concerns and social justice concerns, and "Born Again and Again" dances a little close to conflict with its own central tenet.

In other words, on fortunately rare occasions it feels like "radical transformation" becomes yet another theological "thing" to acquire rather than a fluid and natural result of salvation allowing us to deepen our relationship with Christ and with each other.

It should be stressed, however, that this is a minor concern in a book that is both inspiring and educational as Westra, perhaps more than a good majority of Christian authors, doesn't simply call readers into a transforming faith but reinforces through analysis of scripture and historical research why this is what has been intended all along.

An exciting and inspirational author who is already popular as a speaker, Megan K. Westra makes her literary debut with a book that arrives at an opportunity time in America as COVID-19 has transformed the way we do church and passionate cries for social justice are echoing at decibels heard before but not being ignored for the first time in years.

"Born Again and Again: Jesus' Call to Radical Transformation" is scheduled for release on August 11, 2020 by Herald Press.

[Ben Kester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclosure: Megan and I are acquaintances. We met through a mutual friend back when I was in Chicago. She is the real deal. Megan's approach to serving her community is a contrast to the stereotype of wealth-seeking "ministry." Most importantly, Megan has an affinity for the Bens in her life.

Megan interweaves her personal story, our collective story, and progressive insights on personal/community life. How might one be born again and again? Why does it look like to work out our faith within ourselves and within our community? Grab a copy and see for yourself.

In case Megan reads this, sorry. I'm another one who finished your longsuffering efforts without setting the book down.

[Cathy Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for two reasons: 1) I was fortunate to be on the book launch team, and 2) I had been following Megan Westra on Twitter and found her to be quite funny and thoughtful at the same time. Not always an easy combo. She didn't disappoint in her first book, either.

As a United Methodist minister, I read this as a possible book discussion for many of our church members who are reconstructing their faith. Deconstructing and reconstructing are words for those whose religious upbringing did not carry over to their adult years. That is, when adults start asking questions like, "Why?" some of the easy answer - "It just is, and do it because you are supposed to" doesn't hold up. So they begin to reconstruct their faith, to ask the questions, to make some sense of believing in God, without some of the more restrictive, judging, and damning God answers.

Megan uses many of her own experiences to share how she has reconstructed some of the more common questions we ask ourselves about God and about Scripture. What are we to understand about race, or gender, or stewardship of the earth, or our relationship with money? Westra deconstructs and reconstructs each of these, and more, in three ways: What does it mean, personally; what does it mean, using stories of people she has encountered; and what does it mean, in our public expression of faith?

I found the book to be thought provoking and well written. Westra utilizes two things well: her satirical wit and her knowledge of Christian doctrine. What's best, though, is that she has made sense, for herself, and for the rest of us to consider, how we can all grow in our faith journey. I'll recommend this book for one of our discussions once it's published.

[Tyler Lund-Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If we enter into a personal relationship with God but stop there, we experience the theological equivalent of visiting someone's home but refusing to go any further than standing in the doorway and insisting that the way we enter is in fact the whole thing." - Megan Westra

Salvation is not a thing we consume. Salvation is a way we connect with reality. The ripple effects of this are enormous, forcing us to think theologically and live Christianly in regards to the environment, politics, ecclesiology, money, etc. This book is an effective guide for how to live as a faithful Christian in our current context. Westra (succinctly!) narrates how we (theologically conservative Christians) arrived at our current consensuses regarding race, gender, ecclesiology, politics, etc. Her book then becomes constructive, telling readers "a better story" and inviting them into it.

I would strongly recommend this book to insiders of the Christian tradition. It will help you re-orient your life. I would strongly recommend this book to outsiders of the Christian tradition. It will expose you to some honest failings and possibilities of our tradition.

PS: The author is a dear friend of mine. We went to seminary together, and she is a remarkable person. I consider her to be like an older sister because she models the way of living she writes about with such congruity.

[Jennifer Wyse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Westra's Born Again and Again was the incredibly timely Evanglical history lesson I didn't know I needed. A compelling and transformative read, "Born Again and Again" is equal parts history lesson, personal testimony, and call to action. It is an excellent read for those wondering how their Christian faith should inform how they live in community, and how the current evangelical/political relationship came to be. It is well written, well researched, and should be required reading for all believers in this era of unrest.

[Melanie Springer Mock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this during a week when Oregon skies where cast dark by forest fires; and Covid still raged; and Donald Trump proposed ordering a "pro-American" curriculum in our schools; and RBG died. And yet, Westra's book offered me so much hope, challenging me and other Christians to see salvation not as a one-off, but as something we actively do again and again by embodying Jesus in our communities and world. And, she offers pragmatic suggestions of things we can be doing right now to live our faith and make transformation.

[Catherine McNiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Considering how the American version of the Christian faith is more consumerism than community is always a good idea.

[Luke Amos]

If asked to name the most pressing issue facing American Christianity (and to a lesser extent, all of Western Christendom) it is hard to be decisive. The heresy of Christian Nationalism and the idolization of Mammon would be strong contenders. The hypocrisy of millennial eschatology and the marriage of political power and the church would also be forerunners in this race to the bottom. The violence of those that claim to follow The Prince of Peace, rampant anti-intellectualism, a Satanic love of power and authority, the refusal to acknowledge the racial trauma that white supremacy has inflicted on generations of humans, and a whole host of other sins, all plague Christianity here in America. But one issue that seems to fly under the radar of most earnest reformers is America’s fixation on individualism.

From the violent birth of capitalism, philosophers such as John Locke began to cohere the idea that had been gestating in western thought: that of the individual and their supremacy. After all, as many conservative commentators are so fond of saying, there is no minority smaller than the individual.

And, of course, there is some truth to that idea. Christian ethics, formulated in the Sermon on the Mount and elucidated through the lens of Christ’s execution, are predicated on the idea that each individual human is equal in value and worth; they are made in God’s own image. But we cannot ignore the Old Testament warnings to seek out justice, not just on an individual level, but on a global scale. Christ begins his ministry by reading from Isaiah about systemic justice: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

But, like all good things, humans take and corrupt what God calls good. The focus of sacrificing for one’s neighbor, let alone attempting to bring justice as a societal goal, has been subsumed by the idolization of the individual. And the church has not escaped this black hole of selfishness. Individualism has, over the last several centuries, seeped into the very doctrines we hold so dear.

Salvation has always been about community. Of course, Jesus died for all. But he did this so that we may live in his kingdom as his family. This focus on an individual conversion moment has resulted in many God-fearing Christians recounting how, throughout their lives, they have been subjected to a multitude of different salvation experiences. Altar calls with their pitiful track records of sustained discipleship are bandied about like holy success stories in the church when more and more young Christians are leaving the church.

In this book Megan Westra presents a different version of salvation and Christian living. In fact, she links the two inextricably in a way that is both faithful to the gospel call and life giving to those struggling to follow Jesus in the modern world. Forget the soteriological debates that have plagued the church since the very beginning and embrace the process that is salvation. Yes, Jesus has saved us! And he is faithful to continue to save us until we see him face to face.

In her introduction, Megan says, “God is shaking and reforming and reshaping my whole life all over again. This time, though, I don’t think I’ll be “getting” saved. Instead, I am coming to understand salvation as a people to which I belong and a practice to which I submit.”

Westra invites the reader to encounter the murdered and resurrected Lord in a new way. One that renounces power so that we may truly pick up our crosses and follow him. Together.

[Josh Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I read a physical copy of a book, I will take pictures of quotes that stood out to me and type them into a document later. As a pastor and public theologian, you never know when you might need a good stockpile of quotes. Fifty pages and fifty pictures in, I abandoned that process lest I end up with the world’s worst pirated ebook. Every single page of Megan Westra’s Born Again and Again burns with a wisdom and passion that’s difficult to describe. But let me try.

I was four years old the first time I got saved. That’s the first sentence of the book. The conversion experience she describes is one that I can empathize with quite clearly because this part could be my story. She was twelve when she was saved again—or “rededicated,” as the parlance goes—and lived the life of the Christian over-achiever. Then she grew up. Then she got out into “the real world.” And it’s then she was in for a shock.

The Jesus I invited them to ask into their hearts had nothing to say about the daily struggles of their families or their communities. It was a crisis moment in her faith, one that led to a new realization of what it meant to be saved—of a salvation that meant becoming part of and bringing about God’s Kingdom in the present.

[I started to see] that justice was a system, not a product. Justice wasn’t a helpful and hip addition to the gospel, it was intrinsic to the gospel. This book is written about a decade after this reflection and represents what Westra has learned along the way.

I’m learning that the faith I love so much, that has raised me and held me tenderly, has been a crushing fist of oppression in the lives of others...I am coming to understand salvation as a people to which I belong and a practice to which I submit. I am learning to live in ways that are consistent with the profound truth that the first opinion God has of us is not that we’re terrible, rotten sinners, but that we’re beloved. I am no longer focused on manipulating a divine system for my own interests—eternal or otherwise. Instead, I am learning to follow in the steps of Jesus, redirecting my own power and relinquishing my privilege and find a new way of life—a life more abundant.

And all of this is from the first eight pages. There is a poetic beauty to Westra’s prose. A prophetic beauty, as well. With love, wisdom, and overwhelming zealousness, Born Again and Again calls readers to envision a new kind of salvation and a new kind of faith—one that is lived and worked out in the public sphere.

Each chapter grounds itself in the history of the evangelical church and builds from that. As such, Westra offers a valuable resource for evangelicals uncomfortable with the current state of things and offers them a lifeboat that ensures that jumping ship does not mean rejecting the heart of their beliefs. She deftly picks her way through the issue of authoritarianism, racial relations, capitalism and consumer culture, our use of money, creation care, and gender equality. Each chapter concludes with sections on how to engage with these issues personally, toward other people, and publicly. Intertwining history, her own experience, and prophetic prose, Born Again and Again excoriates the establishment of empire while calling on believers to build an alternative Kingdom.

Megan Westra gives me hope for the church. This book makes me feel less lonely. There are so many people who grew up in the kind of faith that Megan did and now they’ve lost that faith completely because it was hypocritical and nonsensical to them. The terms “exvangelical” and “deconstruction” have become buzzwords as more and more young people leave the church. But every deconstruction needs a reconstruction and Born Again and Again provides that. Westra shows that you can deny a certain understanding of church, but in so doing you can also embrace the Jesus of the Gospels ever closer.

[Stan Rea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several books recently that follow a similar pattern. The author starts with a proposition and then collects like minded quotations from other writers who support the proposition and then at the end suggest that their proposition is proven. Usually the proposition is something to the effect that "everything I know about "X" is wrong. Here's the way it out to be." The book is then published to great praise of the persons who already agree with the proposition.

In this case, the proposition is everything the author knew about Christianity growing up is wrong, and in 226 pages she is going to explain what the correct view is on a variety of subjects including ecclesiology (how churches should function), government, US history, gender roles and how to handle your money. Good luck with that.

The "charges" are often vague. Take for example this one from chapter 1: "The congregational landscape today is often characterized by . . . . Many churches reflect a belief that . . . " Oten characterized. Many churches. See what I mean?

Source material is often secondary. A passage critiquing Billy Graham's ministry doesn't cite anything directly written or spoken by Mr Graham. Instead all citations are from a 2014 book called _American Apocalypse: A History of Modern Evengelicalism_ by Matthew Sutton. I am not suggesting that Mr Sutton is at all incorrect, or that Ms Westra is incorrect in her use of what I assume are Mr Sutton's conclusions abour Billy Graham. I am just pointing out that the author seems to be repeating someone else's conclusion.

Sometimes the historical connections are questionable. The author refers to the so-called Danvers Statement, which according to her footnote was published in 1988. Then she states "shortly after the Danvers Statement was issued, the Southern Baptist Convention . . . rolled back policies allowing the ordination of women." This event, according to her footnote, took place in 1984, four years before the Danvers Statement.

Despite my criticisms here, I don't really disagree with the author's proposition nor do I disagree with her conclusions or suggestions on better ways to live out the Christian life. So if you are a critic of conservative (Billy Graham-esque) Christianity then you are probably going to like this book. If you are looking for a resource that reinforces what you already believe, then you are going to like this book. If you are looking for a book that is going to change someone's mind, then I don't think this is the book.

[Jim F · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came to faith in Jesus at the age of 20 - now more than 40 years ago. During these years, while I would identify myself with evangelical faith, I always seemed out of step with the ways of the white evangelical church. I believed, like James reminds us, that "faith without works is dead". Our faith should spurn us to action, not because we need to do certain things to be saved or to keep our salvation, but because we are saved. Life should be lived as a response to the grace and love of Jesus in our lives; that life should spill out as an act of worship that impacts the world around us for the Kingdom of God.

In Born Again and Again, Megan Westra makes a compelling argument for a faith that causes us to made a difference in the community and in the world. Our faith is not just a private thing; our salvation doesn’t just cleanse us from guilt and leave us living in the same way. Genuine faith doesn’t hoard the blessing of salvation for ourselves without regard for others. Our faith should transform every aspect of our lives - our actions and our thoughts. Westra argues that we are called to “love God and love others”; we cannot do either if our approach to salvation is all about our own private life.

By looking at the history of the evangelical church in the US, Westra lays out a case for a faith that reflects Christ's Kingdom priorities; she argues for a faith that is evident in action, and that action is outward focused, not inward focused. The Church, the “Body of Christ”, is not a collection of individual cells that function in their own self-interest; it is to be a united organism where all parts function for the benefit of the whole. And as the “Body of Christ”, Westra shows us some of the things here on earth that we can do in practical ways to "live in a manner worthy of our calling".

I highly recommend this book to those that are wondering if their faith can make a difference in this world. I'd give it 10 out of 5 stars if I could.

[Caitlin Waits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Westra strides forward with a bold, prophetic voice in Born Again and Again. She details her journey from her mainstream, Evangelical upbringing to her slow conviction that faith is more than attending church and arguing apostates with solid Biblical facts. Her journey looks so much like my own, and I really appreciate her candid memories.

Through the book, Westra offers her personal growth, including her mistakes, and includes stories and testimonies from other believers. I really liked the structure of each chapter, where she presents an issue of modern Christian culture that needs to be addressed, such as racism or sexism, and gives the readers a brief history lesson explaining how this issue because part of the culture. She goes on to offer Biblical scholarship and research to explain how the church could better respond to racial differences (or whichever issue this chapter tackles) and includes testimonies about how her own thinking changed, how others have been hurt by or learned about the issue, then includes real ways we can move forward.

Tying the book together is a critique of consumer culture, in the church and in our nation, that consumes people. Again and again, Westra explains how Jesus calls his followers to treat all humans as precious and worthy, for the mere fact of being a fellow human (and ya know, we need to take care of the Earth because it supports humans, so also respect the Earth and the animals and all). Westra's down to earth voice and willingness to join in the journey to a more wholistic application of faith keep the book from being preachy or self-righteous. I can't wait to buy this book for my friends who struggle with a church that seems to ignore justice-- this book will really encourage those of us who are fed up with surface-level faith. Thank you!

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is coming out in a month at the time of this writing, and the timing could not be more perfect. Megan Westra has written about salvation - in the sense that what we do and how we move through the world affects our spiritual well-being - and how our thoughtful decisions in areas like race, gender, politics, and consumption can help form our souls in important ways. I think this would be a great starting point for a lot of people who are looking at our world and noticing that it's not fair for everyone but who aren't exactly sure what to do about it. It gives practical recommendations not just about actions but about areas where you can examine your choices more thoroughly. I recommend this especially for white Christians who are beginning to ask questions about race, gender, the environment, and other political issues. I think it would be an excellent book for a group like that to study together.

Since our country is talking more about race, I will say that there were a couple of points where I thought Westra could have brought out the history of how the anti-abortion movement is tied so closely to racism and segregationism but that is a minor complaint in an otherwise strong book. For a book on race and the evangelical church, I recommend Jemar Tisby's The Color of Compromise (she also mentions this book, so I think she would agree).

NetGalley provided me with a copy of this to review but my opinions are my own.

[Marci Corea · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Westra does an expert job at weaving some of her comical and harrowing experiences growing up in Evangelical culture in America into a revealing narrative about the state of American popular Christianity through the decades.

Through vulnerable and relatable personal stories, Westra connects to readers by reminding them that their experiences with questioning and deconstructing their faith hasn’t led them into a solitary life. Instead, readers are awakened to the fascinating and often devastating history of the Evangelical church in America. By doing her historical research, Westra reveals that many of the cultural norms young Christians are socialized into have sinister roots.

As a millennial Christian beginning to face some of these same questions myself, this book was both enlightening and refreshing. Although the work of confronting some of the oppressive tendencies in our faith tradition is hard, Westra attacks the issue with grace, whit, and most importantly; research and facts.

I highly recommend this book for anyone dealing with questions in their personal faith journey or who simply wants to learn more about the story of popular Christianity in the West!

[Nora Hacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emphasis on personal salvation in many American (mostly white) churches today has lead to a dearth in discipleship on the question...saved from what and for what reason? Many books try to address one area or another, but without examining the base line of personal salvation as the goal they fall short. But Megan's book goes a few steps further by shifting the eye from ourselves to what it means to love like Jesus with an eye to the whole community. Megan's book explores many areas of growth and understanding needed in order for real transformation to take place. This book is particularly useful for white Christians who are interested in hearing the reasons why other Christians place less emphasis on the personal and the ways caring for the collective can change one's view and understanding of the world, the church, and justice. The book spends a lot of time on the knowledge and history that impacted Megan and how it fits into the Bible. The book can also be helpful to people trying to understand their conservative Christian friends a tad bit more and learn which stories and history might be helpful in advancing conversations with them. I recommend people add this book to their tool box.

[Andrea Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

That Megan Westra is smart, caring in a deeply practical way, and loves the Church bleeds through on almost every page of her upcoming book, Born Again and Again: Jesus’ Call to Radical Transformation. Megan challenges the (North American) evangelical church’s focus on individual salvation to the exclusion of nearly all else, demonstrating the variety of ways in which that narrow focus leads to unbiblical neglect of the Christian call to community, interdependence, and practical, embodied love of neighbor. In each chapter, she tackles a different major area of our communal life and examines how we got here, the story we’ve been told, what the Bible says, and what a better, truer way forward can look like. She invites the reader to learn, explore, question, and envision, not from the position of one who has it all worked out and is dogmatically convinced that they’ve found all the answers, but as a fellow traveller, beckoning the reader to join her on this journey. Through all of this, she interweaves her own story and that of others whose perspectives are offered as valuable correctives, revealing blind spots, and enriching the body of Christ. This is an excellent book and one that I’ll be recommending widely.

[Yvonne Roesel · Rating 5 out of 5]

BORN AGAIN AND AGAIN put into words so many ideas I’ve struggled with over the years and has helped me find the connections I’ve been searching for between my upbringing at my present faith. Within, Megan K. Westra explores the history of mainstream evangelicalism in the United States, speaks from her experiences, amplified the voices of many others, and invites us all into a clarified and sanctified view of living and being saved.

Grace is granted for learning and deconstructing, space is given for new discoveries along the way, and knowledge is handed out in this well-researched and admirably inclusive book. Westra structures every chapter similarly, so even in unfamiliar surroundings, we have guideposts to look for, including: a variety of personal experiences, what the Bible says, and ways to put this knowledge into action.

If you’re into the radical love brand of Christianity, you’ll probably get a lot from this book. If you’re clinging to something else, you might not, but you’ll never know unless you give it a try.

[Lauren Kester · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Not a lot of new information for me. She quickly and broadly covers how the American evangelical church got to where it is now. Megan also has very practical ways to show love to those that are marginalized, both in our private and public lives. Christianity isn't just about our personal life. It is looking to serve those in need, serving/loving the outcasts of society. How does our privilege (gender, religion, race, wealth) affect others? What may seem like an insignificant decision for me, might have a bigger impact on someone else (i.e. voting or not voting for certain policies; access to food or transportation and healthcare). God is working here and now. Jesus cared very much about people's physical needs, not just spiritual. We shouldn't be living just to go to heaven or until "the end times", and use that as an excuse to not work towards social justice. "Your kingdom come, your will be done on EARTH as it is in heaven."

[Megan Cousins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does it mean to be saved? What does salvation look like from a personal lens? A corporate or public lens? From a lens shaped by American evangelicalism? Westra looks at the tension and balance of corporate and personal salvation, helps us to unlearn and relearn what it means to be saved, deconstructs the Americanized Christianity that so many of us feel disillusioned by. She discusses what it means to be stewards of our resources and not just consumers; how to love our neighbors, and to be completely and wonderfully transformed by personal and public salvation. She calls on friends and other voices to speak to their experiences, brining a richness to the narrative, and perspective on issues such as singleness, race, and LGBTQ+ in the church. Masterfully written, dense with insight and information in an otherwise (relatively) short book.

Highly recommend.

[Anna Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Westra invites us in Born Again and Again to reimagine what it means to call ourselves followers of Christ. Exploring the limitations of an exclusively “personal” relationship with Christ, Westra tackles current events, placing them in the light of history and Scripture, and calls the readers into a more expansive view of what it means to call ourselves Christians. Then with humility, she steps back and passes the mic to those from backgrounds, races, perspectives, and sexualities other than her own and highlights their stories in the middle of the text. This dialogue is perhaps the most profound part of this work. Those who are wrestling with what it means to say they are Christians in the midst of our increasingly polarized society in the United States will find much food for thought and guidance within these pages.

[Fayelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh this book is a treasure! I feel challenged and encouraged and uplifted while also having learned so much. Westra is really great at pointing out what is needed without the wagging finger in your face. Scripture, facts, vulnerable and relatable personal experiences fill this book and make it quick to read, but very meaningful. I recognize what needs to change in my life without drowning in the guilt of what I have been wrong about, and then she provides THE CONCRETE WAYS TO CHANGE. I want to know how to lovingly help my neighbor as I mimic Christ but I do need help. This book is that help. The resources are extensive, the truth evident, and the precious care and love flows over every page. I feel so blessed to have read this.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan tackles some tough stuff in this book, and I am here for it!

I love that she not only takes the reader through her own transformation from obedient good Christian girl to a lived out faith, but she brings us through the history of how our individual-centric, personal-savior-faith has evolved in America. She tells her story, but she sets it in a larger context of theology and history that shows she knows her stuff and is a voice to heed. The book takes the reader through a number of hot button topics and offers the reason for a wholistic, thought out approach to them with faith. That she absolutely lives what she talks about makes it all the more compelling.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan Westra does a phenomenal job of challenging, informing, but always pointing ahead with hope to a new way of seeing salvation and our place in this world. This is a beautiful read and so timely as relates to topics such as: politics, race, finance, ecology, and gender roles. Refreshingly honest, Megan invites us through her own faith journey, to rethink what it means to radically follow Christ, not just individually, but for the flourishing and good of our world.

"When salvation is a strictly personal, spiritual business between and individual and God, it lacks muscle sufficient for standing up against the systemic suffering of humanity."

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. It was honest and thought provoking. It presented a new way of doing church and community where the goal is the flourishing of humanity. It burns down the things that are no longer serving(have never served) and invites the reader to imagine new possibilities. I especially appreciated the author having other people contribute their vision.(BIPOC, LGBTQ+) As someone who is mostly disillusioned with mainstream church, this made me excited for the possibilities of what could be.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Born Again and Again Megan Westra invites us to look beyond the personal or a moment of being saved to consider salvation as "a way of being with God, yourself, your neighbor, and the world around you".
This is an engaging and thoroughly researched book combining diverse perspectives, historical context, and current events to help us examine critically how our consumer mindset has shaped the expression of our faith. Megan provides concrete actions we can take in our personal and public lives to choose connection and live into our salvation as an ongoing transformative experience. This book offers so much food for thought and generates great discussion. I would definitely recommend it for a Bible study group or a book club. I know I am looking forward to reading it again in that setting.

[JC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started following Megan on Twitter because of something witty she said. Now, here I am reading and enjoying her first book. If you feel that Christianity seems off or isn’t what it’s supposed to be, pull up a stool. For someone like me, having grown up in church as a pastors kid, it’s refreshing to know I’m not alone, in growing up and discovering American Christianity doesn’t really represent Jesus so well. The book is well researched and Megan’s passion for the topics is evident. It’s also nice that she will step aside for a few pages and let a friend share a related experience.

[Marinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Christian Faith affects not only the individual life of the believer, but that of the believer’s community as well.” In “Born Again and Again”, Megan Westra offers readers history, theology, and practical application. Westra’s writing is easy, concise and action-focused. An excellent resource for those wanting to understand more about their faith, including what it might look like in the lived-out life.

[Dawn Beauchamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in a Catholic Christian home. I found the Evangelical church community in college. I'm drawn to both on certain merits. But others have always made me question. Megan does an amazing job looking at history and putting it into the context of religion. Our faith is not stagnant. It needs to evolve. Born Again and Again encourages people to look at evolving faith as a gift. A gift to learn from the mistakes of the past and form a new and better future.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful introduction to “progressive theology” for people who feel confined by the Christianity they grew up with or are wondering if all Christian thought can be found in the 700 Club and Franklin Graham.

Westra writes from her own experience and biblical interpretation, including other voices in telling the story of God’s purpose and mission for the church and the world.

[Addie A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend for anyone who was raised Evangelical and is struggling with what "evangelical" has come to mean in the 21st century.

This book is not as much deconstructive as reconstructive. I don't agree with everything Westra has to say, but I was deeply moved by her conceptualization of salvation.