A Stranger in the House of God: From Doubt to Faith and Everywhere in Between

by John Koessler

Growing up the son of agnostics, John Koessler saw a Catholic church on one end of the street and a Baptist on the other. In the no-man's land between the two, this curious outside wondered about the God they worshipped---and began a lifelong search to comprehend the grace and mystery of God. A Stranger in the House of God addresses fundamental questions and struggles faced by spiritual seekers and mature believers. Like a contemporary Pilgrim's Progress, it traces the author's journey and explores his experiences with both charismatic and evangelical Christianity. It also describes his transformation from religious outsider to ordained pastor. John Koessler provides a poignant and often humorous window into the interior of the soul as he describes his journey from doubt and struggle with the church to personal faith

Genres: Religion, Biography

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2007

About the author

John Koessler serves as chair of the pastoral studies department at Moody Bible Institute, where he has served on the faculty since 1994. He is an award-winning author who has written thirteen books and numerous magazine articles. He writes the monthly “Theology Matters” column for Today in the Word and is a frequent workshop leader at the Moody Pastor’s Conference. Prior to joining the Moody faculty, John served as a pastor of Valley Chapel in Green Valley, Illinois, for nine years. He is married to Jane and they have two adult sons. John and Jane live in Munster, Indiana.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my own process of doubt and faith, this was a freeing and affirming sketch of Koessler's own honest pursuit of truth.

Koessler is a male, conservative Anne Lamott. His writing is sharp and revealing.

I felt that the last few chapters were a let-down, providing little optimism for the Christian life. He was being honest in his present state, but it would have been nice to end on a high note.

[Sarah Reger]

I really enjoyed this book. Koessler is an amazing reader and so easy to follow. would definitely read the book again

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. Dr. Koessler is a skilled storyteller. Made me laugh. Made me cry. Made me think.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subtitle of this book says "From Doubt to Faith and Everywhere in Between." That just about sums up this autographical book about the Christian journey of John Koessler, a former pastor and now a professor at the Moody Bible Institute. Koessler writes about his childhood with abusive, depressed, alcoholic parents, and how, from an early age, he felt drawn to God through the Baptist and Catholic churches on the street where he grew up. Koessler became a Christian when he was a teenager and eventually followed his faith to the pulpit of a rural Illinois protestant church where he served as pastor for over ten years. He left the pulpit to teach at a bible college but writes how he is still searching for God and sometimes struggles with organized religion and his personal faith. In the end however, he continues his Christian journey. I liked this book. It had some portions that really hit home and helped me in my own personal journey and daily struggles. Particurlarly poignant was his story about his learning disabled brother, who he calls his hero. Portions of that story brought tears to my eyes. All of the stories Koessler relates were interesting, often poignant and sometimes humorous. It is the story of one man's transformation as he comes to faith and then as that faith grows and develops and transforms his life.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's always a twinge of nervousness when someone you know sends you their book. What is you don't like it? What if it's mediocre ...or lousy? The takes feel higher when it's a memoir, when you're asked to pass judgment on someone's reflections on their own life and experience. Fortunately I had read a bit of Koessler's book in Christianity Today, and as it turned out I had nothing to fear -- the bookis elegant in its smplicity and profound in its honesty. It's the kind of book I wish more Christians on the conservative end of the spectrum would write, but I'd settle for more of them reading this one. Like the best memoirs, Koessler manages to communicate the universal element of his specific story, which is always thoughtfully and candidly told. In the weeks since I started the book, I've been surprised how many conversations with friends have echoed themes from the book, whether disappointment with the church, a less than ideal family, or the strain of relationships. Besides the honesty and humility in the book is an ever-present thread of grace -- the grace of God that can allow us to extend grace to others. This makes it more than just a pleasant or interesting book; it reflects truth for our lives as strangers along the way.

[Angel Fernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why, after all these years, do I still feel like a stranger in the house of God? I do not know. Nevertheless, I decided long ago to cast my lot with the church. It has probably failed me as many times as I have failed it, but I will not abandon it. I could not, without abandoning myself.

Fantastic quote!

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brutally honest, but uneven, and doesn't really come to any conclusions.