Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book! Todds words really resonated with me and I really enjoyed this book!

This book has me quite conflicted. Whilst reading, my rating went from four stars, to three, to two, and back to three. Allow me to elaborate.

** full review on hazelgee.com **

So, what's the gist?

Hunter steps up to the plate with the aim of bringing Christians back to who Jesus really is and "rescue his reputation from the rubble of bad religion". Quite the tall order, but Hunter decides it's worth the effort -- and I agree.

The good…

The author immediately acknowledges many of the reasons why people are leaving the church and/or disassociating from Christianity, including but not limited to: sexism, misogyny, racism, abuse of power, homophobia, transphobia, and enforcement of rules within institutions that create injustice and unfairness. Hunter doesn't shy away from highlighting the growing number of high-profile Christian leaders being involved in so-called scandals like extramarital affairs, or criminal behaviour such as abuse, rape, fraud, and more. He also highlights the spiritual trauma that can be caused by religious institutions. I think this is an excellent way to start this book, because it suggests that the author isn't going to skirt around the issues or try to deflect… which is mostly accurate for this book, but not entirely.

I think the author does a good job of exploring the spectrum of issues when discussing Christianity and politics. He specifically calls out Christian Nationalism, and the blurred lines between conservative or fundamentalist Christianity and right-wing political extremism. He also speaks on how some liberal or progressive Christians have fallen into the trap of following unscrupulous, celebrity-like pastors, who make church services almost indistinguishable from a celebrity guru's self-help conference.

Each section concludes with questions for the reader to ponder, along with a suggested prayer, always with the prompt to add your own words or change the prayer completely, if you so choose. I like this layout, as it helps the reader solidify what we have read, and also apply the principles to our own lives. The questions definitely helped me to identify some issues I can now work through, and some opportunities I can pursue in my walk with Jesus, to bring people to Him and contribute to improving the health of my local church.

The less-than-good…

However, an aspect of the layout that I didn’t like was the “agony aunt” style of each chapter. It’s not that I particularly dislike that format in general, but in this case, the questions asked by each person felt extremely forced and staged. The people feel like characters created by the author for the purpose of asking very specific questions in a way that sets up the author to provide the answers he wants to, in the way he wants to.

To be clear, I have no way of knowing whether or not the questions cited are from real people and real conversations. I’m just saying that, regardless, they feel fake. They read as fake. They read like AI-generated characters; two-dimensional, "uncanny valley", all using an almost identical "voice". They monologue too performatively for it to be a normal conversation.

I understand quotes and conversations get edited for brevity and clarity. I also understand the author uses these questions and conversations as anchor points, used as a tool to allow him to answer the question within that chapter. However, it would have made more sense if the author said these were an amalgamation of conversations and questions he's experienced over the years. To give each person a name, then proceed to have them all "speak" with identical "tone", format – long monologues with no interaction from the author, random personal questions from people he doesn't know well, claims that the author knew what the speaker was thinking, and quite stereotypical atheist/agnostic-adjacent ways of arguing – it's just formulaic and not believable. And if they actually are real stories, then the author does a poor job of illustrating them as individuals, with their own styles of speaking.

In my opinion, this weakens the author's position, because the foundational setup feels dubious.

The bad…

As such, this led me to feel quite frustrated later on in the book when one of the people asks a specific question and the author actually fails to answer it, choosing rather to go off on a tangent and tiptoe around the subject. Why set up the question in your own book if you don’t want to answer it? This gives the impression of dishonesty, or at least deflection, even if that isn't actually the case.

The okay again…

On the other hand, the author raises some challenging but important questions, including topics such as doubt, disagreement, and conflict. I appreciate this honesty. It can be tempting to quash doubts and push them to the back of your mind. It can be easier to ignore injustice in order to “keep the peace”. But the author encourages us to explore those doubts and challenge these injustices, even - or, especially - if they come from within the church itself.

On the whole...

I feel like this book had incredible potential. And although it didn't quite live up to that potential for me, I still think it's a good book with some excellent ideas.

It started off strong, seeming to dive into topics that tend to be avoided in Christian circles. Being willing to be vulnerable instead of defensive, the author sets out to identify, acknowledge, and dust off the “rubble of bad religion”; to uncover the heart of what Jesus actually taught. The author attempts to go back to the often forgotten basics and strip away the unnecessary “shoulds” and “musts” that religion often enforces. I think this is a brilliant concept and one that is much needed in today’s world. Hunter draws parallels between now and when Jesus disrupted the forms of religion at the time. He sought to break down barriers between the people and God, created by the religious practices of the day, and this is still relevant to us today.

However, I think some poor stylistic choices were made, and honestly, the third quarter of the book comes off as ‘fluff’. It seems a bit like the book was too short for publication so the third quarter was inserted to pad it out. It could have been much more concise and what they would have lost in length, they would have gained in maintaining the pacing from the first half of the book – and hence, the interest of the reader.

In conclusion...

Overall, I found this book thought-provoking, interesting, and flawed. I think it is worth reading for the excellent parts, but I wouldn’t feel too guilty about doing some skim-reading in the third quarter. Also, allow yourself to cringe at the *possibly, allegedly, just my opinion, don’t sue me* “fake” conversations. The points made are still worth considering, so try to forgive the author for their uncomfortable delivery.

Goodreads rating: ★ ★ ★

What Jesus Intended: Finding True Faith in the Rubble of Bad Religion was published on 18th July 2023. I received a free copy of this book from InterVarsity Press via NetGalley for review purposes.

A vision for the true purposes for the church as the Body of Christ.
Ideal for anyone flagging in their faith or to grow in their faith.
“Pursuing alignment with the aims of Jesus is the path on which we discover good religion, find the true and good life, and become humanity as God intended”
A helpful and insightful book.
Thanks @bishoptoddhunter @ivpress & @netgalley for the eARC

What Jesus Intended
Finding True Faith in the Rubble of Bad Religion
by Todd D. Hunter
Pub Date 18 Jul 2023
InterVarsity Press,IVP
Christian| Nonfiction \(Adult\)| Religion & Spirituality



Netgalley and Intervarsity Press have provided me with a copy of What Jesus Intended for review:


Do you feel as though you are losing your footing in church? Has the church lost its footing? An endless string of scandals within the walls of a place meant to offer compassion and safety has left many of us feeling unsteady, disoriented, even crushed. Others feel compelled to withdraw or distance themselves from the church. However, our instincts tell us this is not what Jesus intended for his followers. What did he intend?


In his four decades of ministry, Anglican bishop Todd Hunter has experienced betrayal and pain. Despite all that, he remains hopeful. His belief in Jesus is stronger than ever, and he believes that Jesus has plans for his followers.


Hunter describes a way to emerge from the ruins of bad religion and rebuild faith among a community of sincere believers in What Jesus Intended. Through unpacking Jesus' purposes, we can expose twisted, toxic religion for what it is and embrace the gospel's true aims. Experience the healing and goodness we've always longed for through Jesus.



I give What Jesus Intended five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

Doesn't hide much as he discusses the mistakes he's seen church leaders and Christians make in the past, refuses to excuse sinful behavior. However, he points readers to the fact that where humans are fallible, Jesus isn't, and makes a compelling case that finding ultimate security and guidance from Jesus is the answer to these crises.

I grew up as a pastors’ kid for many years and deeply loved my experience of church. I have so many fond memories of different churches throughout my childhood years, and beautiful memories of rooting myself in a Christian community in college. I experienced beauty, love, and Jesus. But unfortunately, not everyone’s experience of church (or Church with a capital “C”) is like this.

My own experience with church as an adult has not been that smooth-sailing either. I have wrestled for years with the disconnect I feel between church-on-Sundays and our life serving in the slums.

Recently, I found reading What Jesus Intended by Todd Hunter to be very helpful. It seems important, as the author honestly reflects on the good and the ugly of church experiences— sharing stories from his own life and testimonies from people he has journeyed with. And, while there seem to be many reasons that people are leaving the church, in this book Hunter invites the reader to keep embracing Jesus and His faith community. This book seeks to help the reader engage a variety of different questions, seeking answers from Jesus along the way.

Questions serve as titles for many of the chapters. Questions such as: “Am I the only one who thinks like this?,” “Can I trust the Church to be an instrument of restoration?”, and “I feel pain, cynicism, and despair—Where is Jesus?” 

I am grateful for this new book (releases July 18th from IVP) and the contribution it makes to help all those who want to seek after Jesus.

"What Jesus Intended: Finding True Faith in the Rubble of Bad Religion" by Todd D. Hunter attempts to shed light on the essence of true faith in the midst of religious chaos.

While the book does offer some commendable aspects, such as well-researched citations and references and being Bible inspired, I feel that it falls short of understanding who its intended audience is.

One of the book's strengths is its extensive use of citations and references, which adds credibility to the author's arguments. Todd D. Hunter supports his claims with well-documented evidence from various religious texts and notable scholars, giving readers an opportunity to delve deeper into the subject matter. The thoroughness of his research is evident and provides readers with a solid foundation for further exploration.

However, I felt the book's biggest flaw is its failure to understand its audience. Hunter assumes a level of knowledge and familiarity with religious concepts that may alienate or confuse readers who are new to Christianity. The assumptions about readers' prior experiences with the church hinder the accessibility and engagement of the book.

"What Jesus Intended" lacks a cohesive structure and clear direction. The book meanders between personal anecdotes, theological discussions, and historical analyses without a consistent thread to tie them together. As a result, readers may find it challenging to follow the author's train of thought and discern the main points he intends to convey.

Despite its shortcomings, "What Jesus Intended" does contain valuable insights and thought-provoking ideas. Hunter's emphasis on the importance of a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ rather than mere adherence to religious practices is commendable. Additionally, the book raises valid criticisms of institutionalized religion and challenges readers to reexamine their faith in light of Jesus' teachings.

Final Thoughts: While the book excels in providing well-researched citations and references, its lack of clarity about the intended audience hampers its effectiveness. It may still be of value to readers well-versed in religious discourse, but those seeking a more accessible exploration of faith might find themselves lost amidst the rubble of this book.

Disclaimer: Thank you Netgalley and InterVarsity Press,IVP for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

This was a solid read. Todd Hunter’s goal in this book was to help those disillusioned by the Church to rediscover the aims of Jesus through His earthly ministry. He likened the bad religion of the Pharisees to that of some modern-day churches, speaking to their similarities and how Jesus’ teachings and way of life was completely counter-cultural. His point in doing so is to help the reader to take their eyes off the bad religion they may have experienced in the churches they’ve attended and to place their focus on Jesus.

Hunter set the stage by sharing some ways that the Church has failed us that may lend to the disillusionment and wariness some Christians may toward it. In the following ten chapters, he introduces us to different aspects of Jesus’ teachings, ministry, or character that serve as a healing balm to the hurts reader’s may have experienced at the hands of the Church.

I appreciated the author constantly pointing the reader back to Christ while being incredibly compassionate and empathetic about the many ways that bad religion can impact us. I also loved the real-life stories that he told—they served as really great anchors for the chapters. Finally, I was a fan of the end-of-chapter reflection questions and prayers.

This book would be most beneficial for the person who’s ready to give up on the Church because of the erroneous teachings, abuse, or hypocrisy that they’ve endured/witnessed. I also think that anyone who desires to walk with or witness effectively to this group of believers would benefit from reading it. Totally worth the read!

A re-examination of what Jesus meant when He commanded christians to love, and how dogma and tradition can sometimes get in the way of this. Each chapter covers a brief vignette to illustrate slight variations on the theme that can feel a bit repetitive by the end; although this could also be seen as baby steps toward an end goal where some readers are already further along their journey and don’t need as much hand holding or convincing (I am already well aligned how this concept was presented, so it did drag a bit for me). Each chapter title is a good summary of the topic contained there in, followed by a few verses of scripture, an introduction to the personal encounter before diving into a Jesus centric discussion on WWJD, because upon how the author interprets the ministry of Jesus found the the Gospels … and just as important, how such a response ultimate worked in the situation introduced at the start of the chapter. Finally, at the end of each chapter, there is a Practical Exercise (Reflection Questions) and a prayer that wraps it all up. Although not pitched as such, this book is probably more effective when taken slowly and one chapter at a time, allow time for meditation before moving on.

Introduction
1. Am I the Only One Who Thinks This? How the Church Failed Us
2. Can I Find Faith Again? A Fresh Proposal Regarding Jesus
3. I Am Failing to Connect to Faith and Church: Jesus’ Self-Identity Is Our Rescue
4. I’ve Lost the Religious Plot Line: Jesus Knew He Was Living in an Unfolding Story
5. I Feel Pain, Cynicism, and Despair - Where is Jesus? Jesus; Orientation to the Kingdom of God
6. What About All the Bad Things Done in God’s Name? Jesus Taught That Eternal Life Empowers Good Religion
7. Can I Trust the Church to Be an Instrument of Restoration? Jesus Was a Healer
8. How Can I Find Vibrant Faith? Jesus’ Teachings Point Us to a New Way of Life
9. Why is Consistent Spiritual Growth So Difficult? Jesus’ Emphasis on the Centrality of the Heart
10. Is There an Authentic Community of Faith? Jesus Intentionally Called and Sent a People
11. Do My Religious Reservations and Churchly Hesitations Disqualify Me? Jeuss Walks with Us on a Journey of Doubt

I was given this free advance reader copy (ARC) ebook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

#WhatJesusIntended #NetGalley

This book was interesting and made a lot of good points. It was hard for me to get through but it ended up being really good.

There is some valuable information in this book, as well as a decent discussion of important ideas that are surfacing within the church - and outside, in its courtyards and in the public square. Most importantly, we're also touching on the questions that arise in the hearts of the seekers and the faithful and the once-faithful and the spiritually hopeful.

But for me, the unfortunate part of this book is that we're only "touching" on them.

The author attempts to create as touchpoints for each chapter a grounding in a real person with a real experience and a real question, but at the same time, he admits to changing some details to protect the privacy of those involved. Unfortunately, this has resulted in two predictable outcomes: some of the stories lack sufficient detail for the reader to understand how it demonstrates what the author says that it does while others have become so vague and generalized as to become caricatures of Christian doubt, which are simply not relatable.

Because of this, the author never really directly responds to the stories, either. There is a remaining disconnect between what the author says we're talking about and how we got here. The reader gets the sense that the author is working too hard to make sure the reader can never identify the persons in question, and what ends up happening is that the reader can never identify what we're even talking about, not with the same confidence the author wants us to have.

The book has a great deal of potential, although it's a pretty common take on a pretty common topic in today's bookshelf. It just didn't quite hit the mark for me in being a meaningful addition to that shelf in its present form.

Solid Work Within Its Field. For those already familiar with the arguments presented here - at an extremely high level, essentially that religious leaders rarely know what the hell they are doing and tend to create "bad religion", but Jesus Himself is "good religion" - this is fairly standard stuff, presented in the fairly typical Christian Living genre format of some essay around a given topic with a few application questions at the end of the chapter. At least as someone well versed in what Mr. Hunter was talking about, there was nothing particularly ground breaking here, but perhaps this is the presentation that will allow some to approach the topic - in which case I'm fairly certain Mr. Hunter and I would agree that it would have been worth it for that reason alone.

The star deduction here is for the rampant proof texting, but it is rare to find a book in this particular genre without this practice.

And the other thing I felt I needed to call out here was the devotion of the final chapter to a particular ministry... where it turns out that its leader is one of Mr. Hunter's mentors, as he mentions just pages later in the Acknowledgments. This to me felt at least a touch improper, perhaps another similar minstry could have been highlighted there rather than one so closely personal to Mr. Hunter. But this is far from an allegation of actual impropriety, simply something that pings my own ethical philosophy - which I never hold anyone else to.

Overall a solid work in its field, and one worth considering even if you *are* familiar with the general arguments. Very much recommended.

An interesting approach to where God is in the Church establishment. Some personal tales help explain and introduce some powerful arguments. I am not sure i fully agree with them all but the book sets up some good debate and topics for prayer and meditation. Some beautiful verses chosen to illustrate the thinking too.

The title a lone caught my attention, but when I started reading the book I couldn't put it down. Since 2015 my life has spiraled out of control and I was turning away from my believes more and more, but after reading this book it has started opening my eyes again and remind me that I am not alone. My favorite saying is Footprints in the Sand and I just need a reminder from time to time I am not alone.