Misfit Faith: Confessions of a Drunk Ex-pastor

Stellman, cohost of the Drunk Ex-Pastor podcast, advocates moving beyond mainstream Christian ideas in this encouraging work of popular theology. Drawing on his personal journey from evangelicalism to Catholicism to a more complicated relationship to faith, he argues that most Christians misunderstand the nature of God. In place of a stern, sadistic stickler for law, he urges an understanding of God as father. This orientation opens Christians to a stronger sense of grace, a more universal idea of salvation, and a less hostile approach to the world. His wit and popular culture references disguise and cushion the seriousness of his claims. He carefully draws from the doctrine of the Trinity, the incarnation, and New Testament texts, explaining their still relevant and originally shocking claims. Stellman manages to find a middle ground between liberal Christianity’s broad toleration and conservatives’ push for boundaries and textual adherence. The work ends somewhat abruptly but provides a vision for a broader, more hospitable Christianity that has room for all our failed attempts and plenty of hope. (Mar.)