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Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical: Overcoming Fear and Certainty to Find Faith Through Doubt and Questioning
The fastest growing religious group in America are the "Nones". They experience alienation and frustration with traditional evangelical Christianity and are leaving the pews in large numbers. Some are traumatized by the transition from a rigid religious world view to a more humanistic and open one. They seek out others that experience the same frustrations and are willing to share their stories. For many this is an ongoing stress and problem in their lives due to parental and family pressures. Sometimes they are even persecuted and harassed by their former friends and family. Finding a "safe place" to learn and grow in a new expression of faith is important for this group.
Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical highlights this journey in an intimate and personal way that creates that safe place for others to learn, grieve, grow and emerge into a new, more authentic faith. It is a compassionate, but no-holds barred, conversation about how the Evangelical and Christian Nationalist movement in the U.S. threatens our culture and democracy. It is hopeful, joyful, but also straight-forward in identifying how Evangelical belief and practices harm individuals and society. But ultimately, Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical provides a vision for moving on to a more humanistic and spiritual way of being.
Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical highlights this journey in an intimate and personal way that creates that safe place for others to learn, grieve, grow and emerge into a new, more authentic faith. It is a compassionate, but no-holds barred, conversation about how the Evangelical and Christian Nationalist movement in the U.S. threatens our culture and democracy. It is hopeful, joyful, but also straight-forward in identifying how Evangelical belief and practices harm individuals and society. But ultimately, Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical provides a vision for moving on to a more humanistic and spiritual way of being.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2022
9 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 27, 2023
Almost as soon as I opened Daniel Henderson’s book, “Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical: Overcoming Fear and Certainty to Find Faith Through Doubt and Questioning,” I knew I would like it.
After all, I would probably count myself among the numbers of that group—Recovering Evangelicals—so why wouldn’t I like reading about the experiences and viewpoints of someone with whom I was likely to find I was at least largely aligned with philosophically?
And that assumption turned out to be correct. I discovered that my viewpoints concerning the topics Mr. Henderson addresses in the book largely, although not entirely, fell in line with his.
What I didn’t expect, going in, was to find myself relating so strongly with his story.
While the author and I would be peers in many ways (both white male baby boomers with midwestern Protestant religious backgrounds), there were enough differences to assure me that I was not reading my own autobiography.
I discovered that what I share with Henderson is a concern over what has happened to Evangelical Christianity as it has become indistinguishable from the modern-day Republican Party, to the point where it now reflects a Christian Nationalist philosophy that is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus Christ—at least to the teachings I learned in church and try to live my life consistent with.
Perhaps if I had written the book instead, however, it may have been entitled, “Confessions of a Recovering Republican.” This is because, while the author’s revelations came about following years as an educator in Evangelical schools, my own followed years of active involvement in GOP politics.
Henderson walks the reader through his evolvement from his place within Evangelical circles as he grew alarmed with how entwined faith became with Republican politics. For me, while my own enlightenment took a bit longer, I became alarmed by the degree to which my chosen political party was taken over by the Religious Right and, later, the Tea Party.
Regardless of how we got there, his conclusions concerning the very real dangers that this unholy marriage poses for the future of American Democracy are timely, as well as being conclusions that I—and many others—share.
If you share those concerns as well, I highly recommend “Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical.” It will arm you with strong, logical arguments to proffer in support of your beliefs when you find it necessary or helpful to do so. It has perhaps never been more important to be prepared for those rare opportunities.
Of course, those who have been irrecoverably lured to the dark side will likely view the material as woke propaganda and be unwilling to even open the book, much less read a page. Such is the mentality of the Cult. (Although it might be fun to gift the book to some of those in your closer circle of friends and family who fall into this category.)
But if you’re fortunate enough to come across a legitimately open mind, “Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical” is a book you should strongly and confidently recommend.
After all, I would probably count myself among the numbers of that group—Recovering Evangelicals—so why wouldn’t I like reading about the experiences and viewpoints of someone with whom I was likely to find I was at least largely aligned with philosophically?
And that assumption turned out to be correct. I discovered that my viewpoints concerning the topics Mr. Henderson addresses in the book largely, although not entirely, fell in line with his.
What I didn’t expect, going in, was to find myself relating so strongly with his story.
While the author and I would be peers in many ways (both white male baby boomers with midwestern Protestant religious backgrounds), there were enough differences to assure me that I was not reading my own autobiography.
I discovered that what I share with Henderson is a concern over what has happened to Evangelical Christianity as it has become indistinguishable from the modern-day Republican Party, to the point where it now reflects a Christian Nationalist philosophy that is antithetical to the teachings of Jesus Christ—at least to the teachings I learned in church and try to live my life consistent with.
Perhaps if I had written the book instead, however, it may have been entitled, “Confessions of a Recovering Republican.” This is because, while the author’s revelations came about following years as an educator in Evangelical schools, my own followed years of active involvement in GOP politics.
Henderson walks the reader through his evolvement from his place within Evangelical circles as he grew alarmed with how entwined faith became with Republican politics. For me, while my own enlightenment took a bit longer, I became alarmed by the degree to which my chosen political party was taken over by the Religious Right and, later, the Tea Party.
Regardless of how we got there, his conclusions concerning the very real dangers that this unholy marriage poses for the future of American Democracy are timely, as well as being conclusions that I—and many others—share.
If you share those concerns as well, I highly recommend “Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical.” It will arm you with strong, logical arguments to proffer in support of your beliefs when you find it necessary or helpful to do so. It has perhaps never been more important to be prepared for those rare opportunities.
Of course, those who have been irrecoverably lured to the dark side will likely view the material as woke propaganda and be unwilling to even open the book, much less read a page. Such is the mentality of the Cult. (Although it might be fun to gift the book to some of those in your closer circle of friends and family who fall into this category.)
But if you’re fortunate enough to come across a legitimately open mind, “Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical” is a book you should strongly and confidently recommend.
October 15, 2022
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was insightful, informative and honest.
July 1, 2023
Dan Henderson’s 2022 hit book “Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical: Overcoming Fear and Certainty to Find Faith Through Doubt and Questioning” can be described as “Dan Henderson describes the fastest growing religious group in America is the “Nones,” those who are leaving traditional evangelical Christianity in large numbers. Many are traumatized by the transition to a more humanistic and open worldview, and seek out others who share their experiences. Finding a “safe place” to learn and grow in a new expression of faith is important for this group. Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical provides such a space, and is a compassionate and honest conversation about the challenges and opportunities of leaving evangelicalism.
Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical: Overcoming Fear and Certainty to Find Faith Through Doubt and Questioning” is an insightful and thought-provoking work that encourages readers to question their beliefs and explore new ideas. Author Daniel Henderson shares his personal journey of leaving evangelical Christianity, and how he came to see doubt as a positive force for growth. He also exposes the ways in which current leaders manipulate the media and religious leaders turn a blind eye to evil. Henderson’s work is a powerful reminder that we must all be willing to question our beliefs if we want to find truth.
I think it’s clear from the reviews that author Daniel Henderson is a passionate and articulate writer with a lot to offer the world, and I think most audiences would find Daniel Henderson to be a thoughtful writer no matter what their religion or politics are.
Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical: Overcoming Fear and Certainty to Find Faith Through Doubt and Questioning” is an insightful and thought-provoking work that encourages readers to question their beliefs and explore new ideas. Author Daniel Henderson shares his personal journey of leaving evangelical Christianity, and how he came to see doubt as a positive force for growth. He also exposes the ways in which current leaders manipulate the media and religious leaders turn a blind eye to evil. Henderson’s work is a powerful reminder that we must all be willing to question our beliefs if we want to find truth.
I think it’s clear from the reviews that author Daniel Henderson is a passionate and articulate writer with a lot to offer the world, and I think most audiences would find Daniel Henderson to be a thoughtful writer no matter what their religion or politics are.
November 24, 2023
There were parts of this I really enjoyed. Anytime these memoirs mirror my own journey, I appreciate them so much more. But there was a lot that felt frustrating, from the tone that seemed to swing from remorse to giddy joy to the plethora of formatting issues and typos (maybe that was the ebook formatting). I get it, sometimes it's fun to make fun of the stodgy religious types (that's what we're coming to read after all), but sometimes it felt like a little too much. Maybe the sarcasm just didn't land with me. 4 stars because I connected with the topic, but 3 for not being as strong as it should have been.
December 7, 2022
For me, this was a very enjoyable and uplifting book. The more I read, the more it sounded like my spiritual life. If you are going through deconstruction, this book is very uplifting and encouraging. It feels good to know other people go through the same thoughts and feelings. If you are questioning your faith and evangelicalism, this book will be clear on many issues that will be of help to you. The book was very easy to read due to being so interesting. Once I started reading, it was hard to put down. Take a little time to read this book. You will come away feeling better about the questions you may have.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews