Field Notes for the Wilderness, by Sarah Bessey

Sarah Bessey’s writing appeals to me for the same reason that it sometimes slightly disappoints me: she has struggled with, and thought through, many of the same issues that I have. Which is great, but it does mean that sometimes what she is revealing as her own hard-won learning strikes me as a bit of “well, I already knew that.” That was the case with her book Jesus Feminist, which I really liked when I read it about ten years ago — it spoke to me, but mostly in the way of confirming things I had already known and believed for a long time. Bessey writes for people who, like me, have their heritage and the beginning of their spiritual journey firmly planted in conservative Christian denominations, but who have either left those churches, or remained uneasily in them, loving things about their tradition but critical of leadership and of some teachings.

Field Notes for the Wilderness speaks to people in both these situations, assuring them that it’s OK for faith to grow and change throughout our lives (in fact, it’d be weird if it didn’t) while also acknowledging that these changes can be painful and involve real losses — loss of relationships, loss of community. Bessey doesn’t glibly assure readers that forging new relationship and community is easy — she recognizes that following your conscience can be a difficult path. There were times in this book when I wanted fewer words spent reassuring me that it’s OK to be on the journey I’m on — “I already know that!” — and more practical suggestions. But that reassurance is just what a lot of people need, people who are still questioning whether they might, after all, end up in an eternally burning hell they’re not sure they believe in, if they take steps outside the known boundaries of church teachings. I think those are the people that most need to read this book and be encouraged by Sarah’s wise and experienced voice.