Testimony

Jon Ward writes with wisdom, honesty, and warmth. This is a book for those of us who have been on a spiritual journey of discovery, and those of us who do not always feel we belong with the mainstream message that sometimes overshadow quieter whisperings of faith.

This book was very insightful and pretty comprehensive. As someone raises differently but still with non-denominational
Churches and then discovered IHOP and BETHEL in my adults years, I think Ward was very honest and respectful. I loved the history lesson of how everyone is connected and how politics has been muddled in as well. Fast read and very informative.

Jon Ward, award-winning author and journalist, has now turned the microscope on his own life and worldview in the book, "Testimony: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Failed a Generation." Ward tells about his upbringing in a strict, evangelical family which included faithful church attendance and service to the Lord. I could relate to so many of the things he was taught as a child, and could even relate to his adulthood spending time fighting against his far-right Trump-loving family members. I especially enjoyed these quotes he shared about faith: "The way I experience faith is not a block of concrete. Faith is change. Faith is here one moment and gone the next, a stream that evaporates" (Brooks); "Can I believe it all again today? At least five times out of ten the answer should be No because the NO is as important as the Yes, maybe more so. The No is what proves you're human in case you should ever doubt it. And then if some morning the answer happens to be really Yes, it should be a Yes that's choked with confession and tears and great laughter" (Buechner).

I enjoyed Ward's honesty and transparency, and could understand some of the struggles he's dealt with. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thanks so much to Brazos Press for an ARC of Testimony! This title caught my eye because my husband grew up evangelical and had a fairly negative experience (understatement). I thought Testimony would be informative and educational, and I was correct. This book is part memoir, part self-discovery, part exposure.

Ward’s testimony (pun intended) is honest, even it’s difficult — this is a white man who admits he struggled to understand “Black Lives Matter.” Instead of wallowing in his ignorance, he sought out members of the Black community and educated himself. Admitting ignorance when it comes to racism is no small feat; I was proud of the author at this point.

No joke: imagine becoming an adult and on your quest to seek information and become your own person, you’re shocked to discover lynching really took place and that the KKK is a thing. You don’t know what’s what when you’re trapped in a bizarre spiritual orb that aims to create obedient, ignorant soldiers rather than well-rounded, spiritual adults.

This book is a reminder to have grace when we are dealing with seemingly difficult and closed-minded people. They may not be as closed-minded as we think; they may be the product of an environment that rallied strongly against thinking critically. This is something I will keep in mind when I interact with others.

The second third of the book deals with politics and the Trump presidency. This is not a topic that interests me, so the book drug a bit in that regard. Overall, though, this is an easy binge read in just a couple hours or so.

4/5 stars. Also, one more shoutout to Brazos Press for being so communicative with and kind to us influencers!

I think I came into this more wanting an expression of the movement, and less of an actual testimony.

This book is a testimony (story) of Jon Ward's involvement in an influential evangelical church. It also shares a bit of his story leaving the church and discovering how or even if he wanted to live his faith outside of the confines of his strict upbringing.
I enjoyed the first half of this book. With a similar upbringing, many of his insights prompted me to pause and think about what I believe. I also felt quite activated as I processed through religious trauma, but that's beneficial for me. In many ways, this book gave me permission to continue questioning all I've been taught and to continue healing.
The second half of the book dives into politics, and I didn't like that section as much. I do find it fascinating that Republicans embrace the evangelical causes like abortion as a way to get more votes. But really, both parties employ disreputable tactics as a way to wield power over the population.
The author also focuses on two leaders of his church, and I didn't sign up to read a book about all the wrong things those men have done and believe - that could be a different book.
I appreciate that the author addressed the fear and scare tactics used by the church and media. Like the author, I too want to talk about what I stand for rather than rail against my "enemies."
Some of my favorite insights:
The church's teaching of a clear line—before and after salvation—"elevated the importance of a statement of faith in a set of beliefs. This approach nudged aside the kind of faith that is a lifelong journey of growth in which one never truly arrives but is constantly seeking and growing and evolving." Once we accept Jesus as Lord, we still grow and learn. We're not automatically perfect. And our beliefs, values and opinions can change. Sometimes, the church can get stuck and refuse to change, which hinders the Holy Spirit's work and our growth.
"I was drowning in introspective self-loathing." Some young adult meetings became about how much sin I had committed rather than worshipping God. I know I wasted so much time in my 20s focusing on all the ways I failed God. I wonder what impact I could have made if I had instead chosen to focus on what is right with me and how I could use my God-given gifts and talents to serve others.
In our fight for the unborn, "Less attention was paid to fighting for the welfare of the born, for those who made it out of the womb and into a world of poverty, suffering, and systemic injustice. And not much thought was given to the women who often ended up caring for these children on their own." YES! I cannot denounce abortion and refuse to care for people.
"(I)nstead of becoming participants in culture—stakeholders who worked to represent their interests while contributing to the common good—evangelicals took an antagonistic attitude toward culture." We were taught to be separate and isolated so we wouldn't get tainted by sin. But isolation prevented me from learning how to think and it shrunk my compassion. I didn't learn how to live in conflict, share my views with empathy, listen to others, and embrace a full, abundant life.