Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Evolving in Monkey Town by Rachel Held Evans


A conversation is at risk of becoming boring if no one cares enough to ask any questions.

Rachel Held Evans doesn’t come across the least bit boring to me. In Evolving in Monkey Town, she poignantly and humbly unravels her faith journey. Rachel provides the perfect blend of humorous details and deep probing questions.

In her memoir, Rachel writes about growing up in a conservative, fundamentalist community in Tennessee, where the Scopes Monkey Trial took place in 1925. For Rachel faith was more about head knowledge than relationship. Certain triggers of compassion spun her faith into a thought-provoking season of doubt. I admire that even during this time Rachel’s inquiries only increased.
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I greatly respect those who are unafraid to ask the hard questions. It demonstrates the belief that we don’t know everything, while also exhibiting trust that a greater God does know everything. Shedding skin from her apologetics upbringing, Rachel learned to embrace the value in asking questions. This eventually led her to an enriched faith, one of relationship, compassion and knowledge.

Faith changes. I can attest to this in my own life. I have the utmost admiration for Rachel as an author and as a sister in Christ.

What I’ve always loved about King David and his brazen openness before God, I also appreciate in Rachel Held Evans. Rarely do I encounter a book with the spark plug ability to generate honest thinking about spirituality. We live in complicated world where relationships are nothing if not convoluted. It’s impossible to be a devoted follower of Christ and not at one point or another struggle with questions of faith. Rachel explores her questions with integrity and a clear hunger for answers.

Finally the conversation has begun.


“We are saved by restored relationship with God, which might look a little different from person to person, culture to culture, time to time.” ~ Rachel Held Evans


*I’m thankful to have received a free copy of this book in exchange for this honest review
**how cool that this is my 300th post

19 comments:

  1. Happy 300th post! You make me want to read this book--and the title grabbed me.

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  2. What a wonderful review, Wendy! I'm reading this book right now, and I absolutely love it! Everyone should read this honest tale of a girl who pushed through a season of doubt to continue a lifelong season of asking questions and growth as a Christian.

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  3. Great review. Sounds very honest. Hey, congrats on your 300th post! Wow.

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  4. I follow her on facebook. Great review. She's a sweetie! :O)

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  5. Congratulations on your 300th post! Will have to check some more reviews on your highly recommended book! Thanks!

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  6. I definitely think this book sounds intriguing, plus it has a cool title. Thanks for the review!

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  7. Wendy,

    Thank you so much for the gracious review. What an honor to be part of your 300th post!

    As a writer, it is such a good feeling to now you've been understood. I'm so grateful to have kindred spirits like you reading. :-)

    (I'll be linking to your review from my blog on Friday.)

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  8. Fantastic review!!! Sounds very intriguing and I think it's neat you were able to snag a copy in return for your honest review, that's what a review should be!

    Your profile picture is wonderful, you are gorgeous!

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  9. This sounds like a wonderful read. I'm going to keep an eye out. If I don't see it out I'll have to download it on my Kindle, if that's not available ;) I'll have Amazon send me a copy. (Yes, that's usually the chain of command for books I'm interested in.) Have a great day Wendy! I'll be unplugged for a couple days.

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  10. Congrats on #300! SOOOO cool! This cover really grabbed me.

    Thanks!

    Patti
    www.pattilacy.com/blog

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  11. Sounds great, and I am putting this one on my list. 300 fabulous posts? Congrats!

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  12. Can't wait to read it- struggling through a deadline and procrastinating reading blogs! :)

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  13. I really like memoirs. They may be my favorite genre.

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  14. Congratulations on your 300th post, Wendy!

    This book certainly has a catchy title. I enjoy memoirs.

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  15. This sounds like it would be interesting. Thanks for the info about it.
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  16. Beautiful! Can't wait to get this book and read it. I have heard ALL good things :)

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  17. I have been wanting to read this -- now I just have to!

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  18. I've just discovered your blog, and am already fascinated. Your question has got me thinking - and this sounds like a must-read book. Oh, and congrats on your 300th post - wonderful milestone!

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  19. It's excellent. Yet when you can not locate stability, it can be your inner defensive system to avoid any kind of long-term relationship. You can examine it out with couples therapy near me. It will assist you to comprehend your scenario and offer you a new objective setup.

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