Growing up, finding Jesus (1962-1978) -- A young convert finds his way : Providence Baptist Church (1978-1980) -- Loving the questions but not always the people : college and seminary (1980-1987) -- Looking for a place among the liberals : Union Theological Seminary in New York (1987-1990) -- Finding a place among the evangelical left : evangelicals for social action (1990-1993) -- Finding a voice while not losing a soul : young professor at Southern Seminary (1993-1996) -- Finding a home and leaving it : Union University (1996-2007) -- Getting used to a new home : Mercer University (2007-) -- Every liberal's favorite evangelical (2004-2013) -- Every evangelicals' least favorite liberal (2014-2015) -- Where do I go from here?
Summary:
In this provocative tell-all, David Gushee gives an insider's look at the frictions and schisms of evangelical Christianity, based on his experiences that began with becoming a born-again Southern Baptist in 1978 to being kicked out of evangelicalism in 2014 for his stance on LGBT inclusion in the church. But Gushee's religious pilgrimage proves even broader than that, as he leads his reader through his childhood experiences in Roman Catholicism, his difficult days at the liberal Union Seminary in New York, his encounters with the Christian Right, and more. In telling his story, Gushee speaks to the cultural divisions of a generation, as well as of today, and to those who have themselves been disillusioned by many battles within American Christianity. As he describes his own struggles to find the right path at different stages of his journey, he highlights the turning points and decisions that we all face. When do we compromise, and when we do we stand our ground? Is holding to moral conviction worth sacrificing friendship, jobs, and security? As he takes us through his sometimes-amusing, sometimes-heartbreaking, and always-stirring journey, Gushee shows us that we can retain our faith in Christ even when Christians disappoint us.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.