Review: Reborn Again: Crucifying Christendom & Resurrecting a Radical, by Christopher VanHall

Reborn Again: Crucifying Christendom & Resurrecting a Radical

Christopher VanHall

I found this a fascinating and challenging read.  My fascination is with the process he is describing.  The author is very open about how his painful journey out of conservative evangelicalism wounded and drove him to explore very different understandings of Jesus, the Gospel, and the “place of the church in the 21^st century” (from the back).  His passion and his enthusiasm radiate throughout the book.

Reading the book felt like an energetic conversation with a brilliant and inquiring mind with which I did not always agree. What I found challenging as I am on my own journey of trying to articulate new ways of understanding Jesus and the Gospel is that he makes a number of statements that stopped my reading and raised questions for which his answers made me question his scholarship. VanHall’s “answers” raised more questions yet.  Some of his interpretations of biblical passages I found enlightening, others raised my eyebrows high as my own knowledge of the Bible, biblical studies, Christian history, and theology made me dubious of those statements, and some made me hasten to search for where he might have gotten it. One example that really raised my eyebrows was that “John’s understanding of the gospel is a massive distortion of the good news that the historical Jesus preached.” (p. 56) I don’t see it that way, but it’s an interesting statement that will make me look again at the Gospel of John. But that is part of the challenge of this book and this author’s journey. (He does provide a short list of books that have been important to him along the way.)

Reacting to his wounds appears to still be a major thread of who he is becoming and how he is processing; I understand that, as I have spent many years seeking healing from trauma.  I don’t know that we ever completely heal from trauma.  He is honest at the beginning that he will be using a lot of language that is not usually acceptable in faith circles, and why. I understand that these words seem to help him articulate what he is saying. Although I certainly have used these words on occasions, his use of them gave me the impression that he is still so angry at the distortions of evangelicalism that he uses these words rather than articulate his challenge in ways that would deepen his critique.

It seems to me that his theology is still in fairly early stages of development. It will be interesting to read a book that he might write in 10 years. I would recommend this book for believers who are questioning all that they have been taught about God, and who are seeking help in that process. I would hope, however, that they not take everything he said as a “final conclusion,” but let the book challenge them to explore the ideas and make up their own minds.

There are a few ways that the structuring of the book fell short of helpful.  Almost none of the scripture passages are identified, which I found disconcerting even though I have a fairly thorough knowledge of scripture.  And the lack of footnotes or endnotes was very frustrating.

I appreciated his anecdotes, as they were excellent and engaging illustrations of his journey.  The book is well-written and would be an enjoyable read for anyone on a similar journey.  I would encourage such readers to let it stimulate their own questions and search for answers.

As I was reading, especially toward the end of the book, I was saddened to recognize my own belief in the limitations of the Church’s ability to change.  I felt that VanHall’s hope may be unrealistic:

“My desire for the Church is to admit that it is past time for us to strive to become better. The Church must endorse humanity’s continued pursuit in the discovery of new scientific truths while helping society navigate our future with the ancient moral truths of love and justice.  This is our calling, because God’s story did not end with the Scriptures.” (p. 197)

However, his vision, as the many varied hopeful visions are arising, I see as part of the growing call of God for the Church to change (even if it means some traditions will have to be jettisoned in order for the Body of Christ to become a more viable way of serving God’s purposes).

#RebornAgain

I received a copy of this book from speakeasy for review purposes.