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How a 25-Year-Old Learned He Wasn't the Only One Going to Heaven
Preface
1 in 4000
No, I have never thought that I was literally the only one going to heaven, but I might as well have.
There are approximately 2,000,000 members of the Church of Christ in the world. With a population of 7.9 billion people, this means I grew up with the impression that only .025% of the world’s population was saved. For reasons I’ll get into later, even this number is generous!
That means that one out of every four thousand people would go to heaven while everyone else was destined for eternal torment. Talk about a narrow way!
Thankfully, after a process that was both excruciating and exciting, I emerged from this way of viewing the world as a new person. I believe that those who have gone through similar experiences or may be on the verge of their own baptism of fire might gain encouragement from my story.
This book is also for those who may come from a more generous background but who would like to understand what a friend, family member, or colleague of theirs is going through.
It could also be helpful to someone who is interested in where Christianity is headed or who might sometimes be discouraged that it isn’t going anywhere. If God can transform someone like me, then I have hope for anyone who is caught up in such a system.
I believe that as long as Christianity as a whole emphasizes beliefs, traditions, and doctrines, we will continue down the path of decline. It may be a slow death, but this type of system is simply unsustainable. We must shift our focus from beliefs back to a faith that expresses itself through love. If you feel this same sense of urgency, then this book is for you.
You might also be reading this book because you want to see why I changed as a way to prevent your own children, church members, or maybe even yourself from leaving your particular movement, church, or religious organization. I invite you to read both with a critical eye and an open heart. I fully realize that I could be totally wrong, and I welcome discussion, but I also ask that you maintain a healthy dose of humility as you read my story. You may just see yourself it. - Daniel Rogers
1 in 4000
No, I have never thought that I was literally the only one going to heaven, but I might as well have.
There are approximately 2,000,000 members of the Church of Christ in the world. With a population of 7.9 billion people, this means I grew up with the impression that only .025% of the world’s population was saved. For reasons I’ll get into later, even this number is generous!
That means that one out of every four thousand people would go to heaven while everyone else was destined for eternal torment. Talk about a narrow way!
Thankfully, after a process that was both excruciating and exciting, I emerged from this way of viewing the world as a new person. I believe that those who have gone through similar experiences or may be on the verge of their own baptism of fire might gain encouragement from my story.
This book is also for those who may come from a more generous background but who would like to understand what a friend, family member, or colleague of theirs is going through.
It could also be helpful to someone who is interested in where Christianity is headed or who might sometimes be discouraged that it isn’t going anywhere. If God can transform someone like me, then I have hope for anyone who is caught up in such a system.
I believe that as long as Christianity as a whole emphasizes beliefs, traditions, and doctrines, we will continue down the path of decline. It may be a slow death, but this type of system is simply unsustainable. We must shift our focus from beliefs back to a faith that expresses itself through love. If you feel this same sense of urgency, then this book is for you.
You might also be reading this book because you want to see why I changed as a way to prevent your own children, church members, or maybe even yourself from leaving your particular movement, church, or religious organization. I invite you to read both with a critical eye and an open heart. I fully realize that I could be totally wrong, and I welcome discussion, but I also ask that you maintain a healthy dose of humility as you read my story. You may just see yourself it. - Daniel Rogers
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2022
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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December 20, 2024I ordered this book because I was intrigued by the premise of it, and because I can relate somewhat to the author's trajectory (though it took me a whole 'nother decade to get a bigger heaven). I still love the title. And the premise.
But the editing. I mourned the whole way through. The book needed a concept editor, a book coach, a copy editor, a publishing guide. The story is strong and the ideas are worthy, the whole thing just hollers self-published. Though I don't regret the money I spent on the book, I did feel as though I am the wrong one to read it, which is why I'm not rating it. His real audience would not notice the flaws I did. His primary audience, as far as I can tell, would be his particular denomination, mostly those who have set out on a similar path of discovery and hope, as well as the ones who doubt his sincerity.
This writer is very sincere; he's humble and inquisitive, passionate and compassionate, courageous and godly. A good editor or two, with some patient diligence, could have crafted real art out of this rough block of genuine story.
But the editing. I mourned the whole way through. The book needed a concept editor, a book coach, a copy editor, a publishing guide. The story is strong and the ideas are worthy, the whole thing just hollers self-published. Though I don't regret the money I spent on the book, I did feel as though I am the wrong one to read it, which is why I'm not rating it. His real audience would not notice the flaws I did. His primary audience, as far as I can tell, would be his particular denomination, mostly those who have set out on a similar path of discovery and hope, as well as the ones who doubt his sincerity.
This writer is very sincere; he's humble and inquisitive, passionate and compassionate, courageous and godly. A good editor or two, with some patient diligence, could have crafted real art out of this rough block of genuine story.
July 28, 2024
Religion is messy.
In his humility, Daniel Rogers paves a pathway out of a form of "churchianity" to what it means to be a Jesus follower. Like Daniel, I was raised in a similar environment. Through periods of doubt and "church hurt", I was able to come through with a reconstructed, healthy view of the church. This is a book that will challenge assumptions, and possibly anger you, but the life of faith is a journey. If weren't not growing, we're not doing it right.
In his humility, Daniel Rogers paves a pathway out of a form of "churchianity" to what it means to be a Jesus follower. Like Daniel, I was raised in a similar environment. Through periods of doubt and "church hurt", I was able to come through with a reconstructed, healthy view of the church. This is a book that will challenge assumptions, and possibly anger you, but the life of faith is a journey. If weren't not growing, we're not doing it right.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews