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When God Talks Back: Understanding The American Evangelical Relationship With God (2012)

by T.M. Luhrmann(Favorite Author)

3.91 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0307264793 (ISBN13: 9780307264794)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Knopf

review 1: There are a number of very extensive reviews of this book available and time does not allow me to add to those; however, I will put in a few words on behalf of this book. I gave the book 5*, not because I necessarily agree or understand in the same way what the author attempts to explain, but largely because of the breadth and depth to which the author goes in attempting to first understand and then explain how American evangelicals (of the Vineyard brand) hear from and relate to God. The author, an anthropologist and professor at Stanford, uses the "participant observation" research methodology becoming an active participant and member de facto of Vineyard churches in Chicago and California over a four year period. While not herself a Christian, she takes a non- judgme... morental posture towards her subject(s) as is appropriate to the task. In fact, I'd say as a non- christian she is remarkably sympathetic to both the people she has studied and to the possibility of a personal relationship with God. Clearly and not surprisingly, she was affected by her own research. The book is a presentation of her research and not mere journalism ( no offense meant to journalists). She tells her story really well and with significant erudition in matters theological, historical and psychological related to her topic.
review 2: This study of American evangelicals by a Stanford psychological anthropologist changed my thinking about the American evangelical experience, an experience I really could not comprehend in the past. This--despite my lifelong interest in religion in all forms, including Christianity--enabled me to understand the psychological, spiritual, and imaginative aspects of evangelicals' experience with what they identified as God. (And who am I to say it is not God?) I loved this book, but found talking about it with many of my intellectual friends very difficult, as the constant refrain was that I was too intelligent to accept any Christian beliefs. I understood it better as I begin to read the next book I discuss later in this book list: Deer hunting with Jesus. less

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