Not as Bad as the Truth: Memoirs of an Unorthodox Evangelical

by David Pawson

David Pawson is one of the most fascinating characters and sharpest thinkers in the evangelical church. Not As Bad As The Truth is Pawson's written legacy to the Church. It will summarise the essence of his "unorthodox evangelical" theology, including his beliefs on baptism, Israel, salvation, the End Times, male leadership, and divorce and remarriage. It will also discuss with honesty and insight the most significant events of his personal life, childhood and formative years, his failing health, and the blessings and challenges of family life.

Genres: Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the Finnish translation.

This book was a nice discovery at a second hand shop. I just wish it had been in English so the jokes and wordplays would have been done more credit. Some of the happenings described in the book I had heard in Pawson's sermons, but many were new. Especially his family history and upbringing were new to me.
Even though this is not a devotional or theological book per se, it still spoke to me. The very human side of Pawson made me appreciate his sermons even more and sparked some kind of sermon-marathon; binge listening to his sermons. Although God decided to take him home, the sermons and books are – thankfully – left behind to bring joy to christians.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've listened to any of his Bible series or read any of his books, you will want to read this too. While I understand his hesitancy about writing it, as he mentions several times in the book, i am so thankful he did because it's a testimony many will need. He opens up his heart here and is honest about his successes and failures. In short, he reminds us we are all human beings and will make mistakes, but it's what we do with the time God has given us. Life on earth is short in comparison to life after death. If anything, reading his story has allowed me to respect the man behind the books and videos I've admired for the past several years. I found myself crying with him, sensing the earnestness of his words. He has given me a lot of things to pray about, one of it being for his family that remains still on Earth. May God use his life, works and testimony to plant futher seeds and touch further hearts as God used Mr. Pawson in my life and my family.

[Michael D'Offay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timely read for where I am personally. Blogpost on this book coming

[Justin Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

First came across DP in 1982 when I was involved in importing and distributing his tapes in South Africa.

This book would be great as an introduction to the man. It will also stop one from putting him up on a pedestal.

One will learn of the processes through which he had to go so that God could use him in the way that he did, and does still.

He went to be with his King on Ascension Day 2020.

[Gbemisola Boyede · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank God for the life of David Pawson

I really thank God for David Pawson and for him writing this autobiography. It has been an interesting and insightful experience getting to know the man behind the sermons and the thoroughly biblical teachings. I wish I met him especially having known he was still alive when I relocated to the UK in 2018 passing only 2 years after! However I am grateful to God for getting to know him via these pages and his incredible library of teachings on the media. What an amazing Bible teacher - the one with most clarity and true to scripture and his convictions yet so human, funny and not dogmatic. I look forward to meeting him and his wife in heaven one day. Thank you David for giving to the Lord.... I'm so glad you gave!

[Alesha Garvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Read

I greatly enjoyed this book by my favorite Bible teacher. I appreciate his transparency, encouragement, and his lessons (through his life examples and the teachings from the Lord).