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Trusting Doubt: A Former Evangelical Looks at Old Beliefs in a New Light
Most Evangelical Christians earnestly strive to worship the God of Love and Truth. But a belief that the Bible is literally perfect puts them in the odd position of defending falsehood, bigotry, and even violence. What do Evangelicals believe? And how do these beliefs subvert humanity’s shared moral values, including the compassionate ministry of Jesus in the New Testament? Trusting Doubt provides a clear picture of this variant of Christianity, which has risen to political prominence and now threatens individual rights and collective stability. Raised in a staunch fundamentalist family and educated at Wheaton College—home of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelicalism—Valerie Tarico speaks as a former “insider.” Trusting Doubt offers alternative biblical explanations that are compatible with contemporary Christianity. Gratefully, Tarico’s unique voice as a former Evangelical provides a scholarly yet accessible path away from faulty fundamentalism and toward Christian clarity—a path based on logic, love, and the quest for spiritual truth.
264 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
32 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Valerie Tarico
6 books19 followersPsychologist. Author of Trusting Doubt: A Former Evangelical Looks at Old Beliefs in a New Light. and Deas and Other Imaginings. Founder of WisdomCommons.org. Youtube: AwayPoint
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 14, 2011
Tarico covers familiar territory for this genre, but her bravery in telling her story is what inspires me. Some statements that resonate with me:
"This struggle continues both for those who are bonded to Christian communities of faith and those who leave them behind. For me, questioning and ultimately abandoning faith was neither an end point nor a beginning, but simply part of the very same quest that once put Evangelical belief and worship at the center of my life."
"I would rather live with unanswered questions than unquestioned answers."
"Gradually, turmoil ceases, and wanderers discover that they have emerged into a reality that requires no denial, no contortion, no constant patching of dikes to keep the seas of experience and reason from tearing through a hallowed netherland."
"I built my own walls around my faith.....but I kept tunneling under and out, carrying secret, scary, confusing discoveries back in with me, until, finally, I got to a place where I stood and looked back, and the walls looked to me like a prison instead of a sanctuary."
"This struggle continues both for those who are bonded to Christian communities of faith and those who leave them behind. For me, questioning and ultimately abandoning faith was neither an end point nor a beginning, but simply part of the very same quest that once put Evangelical belief and worship at the center of my life."
"I would rather live with unanswered questions than unquestioned answers."
"Gradually, turmoil ceases, and wanderers discover that they have emerged into a reality that requires no denial, no contortion, no constant patching of dikes to keep the seas of experience and reason from tearing through a hallowed netherland."
"I built my own walls around my faith.....but I kept tunneling under and out, carrying secret, scary, confusing discoveries back in with me, until, finally, I got to a place where I stood and looked back, and the walls looked to me like a prison instead of a sanctuary."
February 10, 2020
Sorted topically and sprinkled with quotes and Bible verses, Dr. Tarico brings up various Christian beliefs and stances, throws some light on any misconceptions, clarifies bad theology, and gives questioning Christians and freshly deconverted agnostics hope outside of biblical error. Is the Bible the "word of a god"? If you doubt that it is, then TRUSTING DOUBT is for you.
August 26, 2016
If you'd like thoughtful support while questioning the beliefs you've held since birth, this compassionate ex-Evangelical writer will both comfort and educate you. Tarico presents a step-by-step examination of the most common beliefs, and begins by respectfully pointing out that these were handed to you by sincere ancestors doing the best they could in a world that knew little of science and less of communication. Crossing the swinging rope bridge from religious guarantees to a more complex place requires not a child-like mind but a courageous adult one. Maturation means foregoing contrived reassurances and daring to examine our inheritances. Highly recommend this strong, clear, easy read.
Eleanor Cowan, author of : A History of a Pedophile's Wife: Memoir of a Canadian Teacher and Writer
Eleanor Cowan, author of : A History of a Pedophile's Wife: Memoir of a Canadian Teacher and Writer
February 17, 2018
I figured I would like this because just the title calls to question Evangelical Christianity. But I didn't realize how tender it would be toward religion and individual beliefs in general. Yes; it is very critical of evangelical Christianity, and the author gives well reasoned and complete justification for criticism. She also goes into the history of the religion and the history of the canonism. She brings forward the idea that all oral traditions did not, categorically, make it into any religion, much less Christianity itself. But there is a lot to respect of people who truly believe and observe their own forms of Christianity.
The fact that there are inconsistencies in the final written word – whichever version an individual accepts – is a given, but overall, Evangelical Christianity tries too hard to bridge gaps which are essentially unbridgeable.
I think that my review is sort of disconnected and directionless, but I really liked the book!
The fact that there are inconsistencies in the final written word – whichever version an individual accepts – is a given, but overall, Evangelical Christianity tries too hard to bridge gaps which are essentially unbridgeable.
I think that my review is sort of disconnected and directionless, but I really liked the book!
October 4, 2011
Her insights about the human mind and it's tendency toward religious belief, her study of the historicity of the bible and Christianity, her study of morality and universal ethics, her encouragement towards free thinking, curiosity and pursuit of truth without fear all come together in this book in a way that profoundly changed my life. This book is one of my favorite all time books.
March 20, 2023
Valerie Tarico's TRUSTING DOUBT: A FORMER EVANGELICAL LOOKS AT OLD BELIEFS IN A NEW LIGHT may interest those who are grappling with the convictions and doctrines of their faith, particularly those who have been or are currently part of the Evangelical Christian community. Tarico's book provides a detailed account of her personal journey from a devout fundamentalist to a freethinking psychologist. Through her book, Tarico expounds on the perils that often arise from biblical literalism, such as the belief that the Bible is perfect and error-free, that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-good, and that humans are inherently sinful and need salvation.
Tarico challenges these preconceived notions with well-founded arguments, ranging from logic, evidence, history, science, morality, and compassion. She convincingly argues that such beliefs can lead to falsehood, bigotry, violence, guilt, fear, and despair. Instead, she offers alternative ways of comprehending Christianity, which are in line with reason, love, truth, interfaith dialogue, and human dignity.
Tarico's writing style is both lucid and compelling, and she treats the subject matter with respect and sensitivity, encouraging readers to question their presumptions and explore new perspectives. She skilfully draws from various sources of knowledge and scholarship, including her own experiences, to bolster her arguments, which makes the book an intellectually rich and satisfying read.
It's essential to note that Trusting Doubt may not be suitable for everyone. Some readers may find Tarico's challenges to their faith to be too demanding or overly critical. Conversely, some may perceive her arguments as overly sympathetic to Christianity. However, for those who are open-minded and curious about their own convictions and those of others, Tarico's Trusting Doubt is an enlightening and empowering read. It's a call to embark on a journey of trusting doubt that can result in spiritual clarity and freedom.
Tarico challenges these preconceived notions with well-founded arguments, ranging from logic, evidence, history, science, morality, and compassion. She convincingly argues that such beliefs can lead to falsehood, bigotry, violence, guilt, fear, and despair. Instead, she offers alternative ways of comprehending Christianity, which are in line with reason, love, truth, interfaith dialogue, and human dignity.
Tarico's writing style is both lucid and compelling, and she treats the subject matter with respect and sensitivity, encouraging readers to question their presumptions and explore new perspectives. She skilfully draws from various sources of knowledge and scholarship, including her own experiences, to bolster her arguments, which makes the book an intellectually rich and satisfying read.
It's essential to note that Trusting Doubt may not be suitable for everyone. Some readers may find Tarico's challenges to their faith to be too demanding or overly critical. Conversely, some may perceive her arguments as overly sympathetic to Christianity. However, for those who are open-minded and curious about their own convictions and those of others, Tarico's Trusting Doubt is an enlightening and empowering read. It's a call to embark on a journey of trusting doubt that can result in spiritual clarity and freedom.
April 5, 2020
It took me awhile to read this book, but it was a great book and touched on many questions and doubts that I have had since being born again back in October of 1986. At first I was flowing along with the fundamentalist views and read and studied the Bible faithfully. But eventually I realized that I did not fit in and was always questioning the validity of the Bible. I and my sons did get shunned from a Baptist church that we were involved in and I was devastated that those who said they loved us could turn their backs on me and my sons. As my oldest son said at the time, "they love you as long as you follow their beliefs, they say they love you unconditionally and God loves you unconditionally, but in realty, their love IS conditional.
I still believe in the Christ, and that He did something profound on earth. I now understand that the Bible is a spiritual book and may have some errors. People use it as a weapon and it can be just as dangerous in the hands of unstable people as a gun in the hands of a madman.
I highly recomend this book to those who are doubting.
I still believe in the Christ, and that He did something profound on earth. I now understand that the Bible is a spiritual book and may have some errors. People use it as a weapon and it can be just as dangerous in the hands of unstable people as a gun in the hands of a madman.
I highly recomend this book to those who are doubting.
April 11, 2021
Because there is no audiobook available, I had to read this with my eyeballs. It took me years to finish, rather than hours because of that.
I can consume an audiobook in one sitting, reading books takes me forever. If I had been able to consume this more quickly, I might have rated it higher. Probably 5 stars.
I did enjoy it, but I wish there was an audiobook version for people like me who struggle with reading with their eyes and prefer to read with their ears.
Thank you Valerie for your honesty and diligence in writing this book. For those of us leaving Christianity, it is a breath of fresh air.
I can consume an audiobook in one sitting, reading books takes me forever. If I had been able to consume this more quickly, I might have rated it higher. Probably 5 stars.
I did enjoy it, but I wish there was an audiobook version for people like me who struggle with reading with their eyes and prefer to read with their ears.
Thank you Valerie for your honesty and diligence in writing this book. For those of us leaving Christianity, it is a breath of fresh air.
December 14, 2013
*Note - This is an updated and revised version of The Dark Side: How Evangelical Teachings Corrupt Love and Truth, published in 2006
I read The Dark Side first, followed by this book. I highly recommend skipping over the earlier edition and just purchasing/reading this one. This book is neither directed, nor intended for atheists/skeptics or committed Christians or their apologists. It's clearly intended for those on the edge of their faith and are having doubts.
Though I did not really learn much from this book, I did very much enjoy the personal story of it. I'm always fascinated by the events that happen in life to make people lose their faith. (I was never religious so I never had the pleasure of experiencing this)
I read The Dark Side first, followed by this book. I highly recommend skipping over the earlier edition and just purchasing/reading this one. This book is neither directed, nor intended for atheists/skeptics or committed Christians or their apologists. It's clearly intended for those on the edge of their faith and are having doubts.
Though I did not really learn much from this book, I did very much enjoy the personal story of it. I'm always fascinated by the events that happen in life to make people lose their faith. (I was never religious so I never had the pleasure of experiencing this)
January 2, 2015
Terico examined the internal logic of Evangelicals and implications of literal interpretation of the Bible, brilliantly researched and written, even gently humorous at times.
Helped me understand my friends who
Are staunch evangelicals and where our
Differences lie. Strengthened by own beliefs.
Helped me understand my friends who
Are staunch evangelicals and where our
Differences lie. Strengthened by own beliefs.
March 23, 2018
This book is a gentle antidote to fundamentalist behaviour in religions. I was a little concerned with the first few chapters, as she covered familiar territory that other authors have covered more viciously. However, he voice and tone conveys nothing but calm, even as she criticizes harshly the negative aspects of religion. As a religious person myself who has struggled with basically everything this book addresses, I can highly recommend it to the Believers, Thise questioning belief, and Non-Believers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews