Losing My Religion

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Consider This - Rated
Losing My Religion is the title of a popular R.E.M. song. It's also the title of Gordon Lynch's book on 'leaving the Evangelical faith'.

Gordon Lynch teaches practical theology and contemporary culture at University of Birmingham and speaks regularly on spirituality and contemporary culture. He's also written After Religion: 'Generation X' and the Search for Meaning (2002), and Pastoral Care and Counselling (2002).

Lynch explores the painful experience of questioning the presuppositions of Evangelical Christianity. For some readers, this prospect would be unthinkable, almost like leaving behind the source of all truth. For others, this book would be welcome relief.
Lynch describes the scenario in one's personal experiences stimulate doubt and lead to a sense of emptiness. He describes the strong points of the Evangelical movement. He is also open about the emotional and social cost of leaving the 'Evangelical fold'. Lynch does not provide easy alternatives to the Evangelical framework. However he encourages the reader to perservere in the development of an intellectually, emotionally and spiritually healthy life.

There are two little bonuses in this book: interviews with Jo Ind, author of "Fat is a spiritual issue" and Dave Tomlinson, author of "The PostEvangelical". Lynch writes from a British perspective but does provide some clues for us people down under with reference to Alan Jamieson's 2002 book, A Churchless Faith and Michael Riddell's 2001 book, The Sacred Journey.

Losing My Religion would be helpful for people who have found they no longer fit the box of Nicky Gumbel's Alpha program. It's not for people who never did. It's not for people who are very happy to stick with the official line on salvation, lifestyle and doctrine.