Book Review: Confessions Of A Bible Thumper

(Note: Leaders Are Readers. I am not sure who is credited with that statement, but it is absolutely true! In order to lead effectively, leaders must be informed and stay in tune with the topics that effect them. I will typically read 2-3 books at a time (you can follow me on Goodreads). I will periodically offer a book review when I feel it warrants a post. Other times I will post a review because I have received a free book and required to post a review. However, I am not required to give a favorable review. I will typically read what interests me, but I also enjoy being stretched to think about other opinions, perspectives, and lifestyles.)

Title: Confessions of a Bible Thumper

Author: Michael Camp

Description from the Book: A former evangelical's journey: What happens when a devout religious conservative examines his own evangelical tradition using the Socratic principle and follows where the evidence leads? Michael Camp's examination sent him on an illuminating spiritual adventure, a tenacious quest for a vibrant but reasoned faith in God. 

My Review: This is one of those books in which I knew that my views differed from the authors'. However, rather than allowing that knowledge to deter me from reading it, I was anxious to hear what this author had to say. As I began, it occurred to me rather quickly that our opinions and perception of Church, Christianity, and God have much to do with the context in which we grew up. He does a good job of setting up where he came from and how his journey has brought him to this point. I appreciate the openness of the author as he is blunt with his thoughts, feelings, and opinions towards the evangelical movement.

Admittingly, I was taken aback by the statements he would make about the evangelical movement, but over the course of the book I began to become more intrigued by his position and the claims he was making. I am not endorsing these claims, but this book has caused me to become more intentional with my own faith and to identify what I believe. Over the years, I have heard evangelical pastors and theologians make claims as if they are straight out of the gospel, but left me scratching my head because I didn't see the connection. 

Moreover, I began reading "Are You Sure You're Right" by Jerry A. Hickson as I was reading "Confessions..." Hickson's book shares the differences between the Church of God (Anderson, IN) movement, of which I belong, and the evangelical movement. Together these books have given me "permission" to seek what is truth and to bring into question the claims, theological position, and doctrine of what has been known as the evangelical movement.  In conclusion, while Camp's book can read like a personal journal, I recommend reading it if you are open to hearing a different perspective on the evangelical movement.