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Flip It Like This!
"A beautiful exploration of deconstructing your conditioned beliefs to become more open, compassionate, and heart-centered. I recommend this book to anyone on their own healing journey."―Dr. Nicole Lepera, The Holistic Psychologist and author of How to Do the Work From the cartoonist who points his pen straight at today's pressing issues of inclusion, faith, spiritual abuse, and justice comes Flip It Like This! Aggravated women disciples, Jesus hugging rainbow sheep, a man praying "WTF?": the cartoons of David Hayward, the artist behind @NakedPastor, are graffiti on the walls of the contemporary church. He sketches the ridiculous, the appalling, and the damaging aspects of the church as we know it--as well as Jesus erasing lines, embracing the excluded, and standing outside the church's walls. In this collection, which includes Hayward's most beloved comics as well as never-before-seen cartoons, we find more of the whimsy, impertinence, and tenderness that we didn't even know we needed. These cartoons are for those who have been battered or infuriated by the church and who long to see it change. Upending notions of who's in and who's out, Hayward's comic vision overturns false pieties and harmful dogmas in one fell swoop.
134 pages, Hardcover
Published July 19, 2022
5 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 25, 2022
David Hayward sent me an advanced copy of this little treasure and I’m so honored.
I’ve read through it several times and the poignancy of these cartoons gains intensity with each read.
Hayward doesn’t pull punches or mince words when confronting the issues with modern Christianity and the church. The lies, abuse, and hatefulness are displayed simply as they are - disguised as conditional love and acceptance that isn’t authentically Jesus.
If you are working through your own deconstruction of your Christian faith, you need to add this book to your collection! You will feel understood as you sit with all the questions, doubt, and anger that comes with the process.
I can’t recommend this little volume enough!
I’ve read through it several times and the poignancy of these cartoons gains intensity with each read.
Hayward doesn’t pull punches or mince words when confronting the issues with modern Christianity and the church. The lies, abuse, and hatefulness are displayed simply as they are - disguised as conditional love and acceptance that isn’t authentically Jesus.
If you are working through your own deconstruction of your Christian faith, you need to add this book to your collection! You will feel understood as you sit with all the questions, doubt, and anger that comes with the process.
I can’t recommend this little volume enough!
July 29, 2022
Review: Flip It Like This by David Hayward
Spice level: zero peppers
I LOVE David’s work. This may be a coloring book but to me it is art that makes me think.
Everything he creates leads me to ponder and reflect. His art takes me to realizations I would have never thought of and reflections that help readers grow as people. David is a voice helping to bring rational thought and kindness back into our nation. His support of the LGBQTIA community and other marginalized groups is an important discussion we need to continue to have.
His work is a conversation starter and a critique of state of evangelical religion. No matter what worldview you follow I strongly recommend taking a look at his work. He isn’t proselytizing but creating a bigger table where all are welcome.
The dialogue his work creates is also opening the door to critically think about the consequences of a political party taking over Christian Nationalism and the danger we face if it continues.
His art is some of the most important and culturally relevant in modern times and is worth the time to look and ponder at.
Spice level: zero peppers
I LOVE David’s work. This may be a coloring book but to me it is art that makes me think.
Everything he creates leads me to ponder and reflect. His art takes me to realizations I would have never thought of and reflections that help readers grow as people. David is a voice helping to bring rational thought and kindness back into our nation. His support of the LGBQTIA community and other marginalized groups is an important discussion we need to continue to have.
His work is a conversation starter and a critique of state of evangelical religion. No matter what worldview you follow I strongly recommend taking a look at his work. He isn’t proselytizing but creating a bigger table where all are welcome.
The dialogue his work creates is also opening the door to critically think about the consequences of a political party taking over Christian Nationalism and the danger we face if it continues.
His art is some of the most important and culturally relevant in modern times and is worth the time to look and ponder at.
September 5, 2023
*Recommended by a Colleague
Growing up in the conservative Midwest (specifically in the Bible Belt), this book was a big hug and I loved every moment of it!
David Hayward addresses the racism, homophobia, sexism, bigotry, monetary and tax privileges, and 'interpretations' of the Bible, of organized churches. Usually told from a sheep with rainbow fleece or Jesus Christ himself, these short vignettes point the hard truths at churches and those who are part of them, forewarning them that no matter the interpretation, Christ wants you to love. No one gets to judge or call out anybody else, and those that do are the hypocrites.
Not the homosexuals, not women, not people of color, no matter your background or where you come from or who you are, or how you interpret it, Christ wanted people to love, not hate.
A great Graphic Novel read for the LGBTQ+ and marginalized demographics who have been hated on by the very place that is supposed to be one of the most inclusive places in the world.
Remember to love, not hate!
Growing up in the conservative Midwest (specifically in the Bible Belt), this book was a big hug and I loved every moment of it!
David Hayward addresses the racism, homophobia, sexism, bigotry, monetary and tax privileges, and 'interpretations' of the Bible, of organized churches. Usually told from a sheep with rainbow fleece or Jesus Christ himself, these short vignettes point the hard truths at churches and those who are part of them, forewarning them that no matter the interpretation, Christ wants you to love. No one gets to judge or call out anybody else, and those that do are the hypocrites.
Not the homosexuals, not women, not people of color, no matter your background or where you come from or who you are, or how you interpret it, Christ wanted people to love, not hate.
A great Graphic Novel read for the LGBTQ+ and marginalized demographics who have been hated on by the very place that is supposed to be one of the most inclusive places in the world.
Remember to love, not hate!
August 4, 2022
Deconstruction at it's best and most humorous! David Hayward speaks to my heart, and this collection of his cartoons is beautiful, delightful, funny, and thought-provoking. He gives hope to those of us who have nearly lost our faith because our churches have been so mean to people we love. What a great reminder of Jesus' message, which was often to reveal that "God" was not what religious leaders had taught.
August 12, 2022
Who doesn't love David Hayward's cartoons?!? If you ever shared one on social media, you know the answer to that. People immersed in exclusive, patriarchal, homophobic, and transphobic evangelical spaces don't seem to appreciate them as much as the rest of us. It is as though, they think these cartoons are all about them.
January 11, 2023
So, I'm sorta companion reading this with Liturgies for Hope (Elledge and Moore)...and I can't stop humming Beyonce's "Church Girl".
Anyway, this was an intro to Hayward's work for me, and I've possibly found more of my non-churchy, decolonized thinkers. The cartoons challenge mainstream theology and followers to do and be better. Page 69...genius.
Anyway, this was an intro to Hayward's work for me, and I've possibly found more of my non-churchy, decolonized thinkers. The cartoons challenge mainstream theology and followers to do and be better. Page 69...genius.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2024
Found David’s blog in 2007 and have been following him ever since. Even met two dudes online who I’m still friends with. I met David and bought this book, which he signed, at this year’s Wild Goose Festival in North Carolina. It was great meeting him and hearing his story.
Can’t recommend this book enough!
Can’t recommend this book enough!
March 5, 2023
I needed a quick annual Lenten read, and this book satisfied as much as any theological tome. It's true as the author explains that images (that you can't un-see) can stick with you longer than a book or sermon. It's a great visual sermon overall. Well done.
January 8, 2024
This morning at coffee church I drew David Hayward’s name out of a bowl of names of possible spiritual guides to study this year. What a delightful discovery and (even though I don’t know what other names were in the bowl) the perfect thinker for me to read and study!
Want to Read
February 25, 2022Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
July 19, 2022
I started collecting some of his work!!! Ty!
November 9, 2022
A picture is worth a thousand words. 'Nough said.
November 25, 2022
Really needed this today! Perfect.
July 2, 2023
I appreciate the positive view of LBGT individuals and women. I also abhor the white Jesus trope and like that he also addresses that one.
August 15, 2023
Good cartoons
January 4, 2026
Unexpectedly touching! Also funny and insightful. I don't often see political-style cartoons about the church.
July 27, 2022
One of the best Christian cartoonists out there. Great book!!
January 16, 2026
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews