A Christianity Worth Believing: Hope-filled, Open-armed, Alive-and-well Faith for the Left Out, Left Behind, and Let Down in us All

by Doug Pagitt

A Christianity Worth Believing offers an engaging, 'come-with-me-on-a-journey-of-exploring-the-possibilities' approach to what it means to be a follower of Jesus in our day. Written by Doug Pagitt?a leading voice in the Emergent conversation—this beautifully written book weaves together theological reflections, Christian history, and his own story of faith transformation.

Pagitt invites readers to follow him as he tells the story of his un-churched childhood, his life-altering conversion at age 16, his intense involvement in the church, and his growing sense of unease with the version of Christianity he was living. On page after page, Pagitt lays out his journey toward an authentic, passionate expression of a faith that feels alive, sustainable, and meaningful.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Theology, Christian

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Doug Pagitt is the head pastor of Solomon's Porch in South Minneapolis and a Senior Fellow with Emergent Village: a generative friendship of missional church leaders around the world and a leading architect of the emergent church discussion.

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never thought about the imagine of God as a long whiskered man in flowing white robes on a throne as being very similar to the idea of Zeus in Greek Mythology! I had no idea that the Greeks had such an influence on Christian theology! However, I seem to be missing Pagitt's point...if Jesus didn't die for our sins, then what? The resurrection means Jesus is a new Adam and the kingdom of God is here and now, not some far off place--I get that! But I don't quite understand how Pagitt disagrees with the Greek idea of Christianity, other than he is saying that God is right here with us in his kingdom, not across a canyon from all us sinners. That is why Jesus came? Wish I had a group for discussion of this book!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christianity Worth Believing beautifully lays out one man's encounter (which resonates with the experiences of so many of us) with a Greek - influenced christian faith of answers and diagrams, of schematics, and of overly systematized theology. He shares his questions - his journey to a faith of hope and of holism rather than the legacy's of Plato in splintered body vs. spirit. Exceptionally worth recommending, I found it encouraging, confirming, and thought provoking.

[Mark Dodson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having heard occasional episodes of Doug's podcasts, I was curious to read a couple of his books. This one is somewhat biographical with some insight of how he came to Christianity as a teen. But the most interesting points relate to how early Christianity slowly shifted more towards the "Greek" philosophy in the early centuries and how that contrasted with the more personal relationship of their Jewish ancestors. A good read with some new insights I had not heard much about previously.

[Cory Driver · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book made me feel significantly less crazy. The chapters on how the Greek-ization of Christianity may not have been the best thing for everyone resonated with me and let me feel a little bit more at home in Christianity.

[Steph Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really identified with this book and have gained quite an appreciation of Doug Pagitt through it. His points about the influences Greek philosophy and later determinism made a lot of sense to me; these ideas have really affected our understanding of Christianity. I think Pagitt is wise in his observations of how our understanding of our faith is skewed by these influences that have been handed down to us as gospel truth, when they were in fact cultural trappings.

"Today we know that the universe is far more beautiful, alive, and interactive than the imagination of the deterministic thinkers of the 1600s could allow for . . . The deterministic version has never been able to tell the entire story." I love that Pagitt embraces the mystery of the Bible. I share his critique of those Christians who claim to have all the answers wrapped up in a neat little package.

I also really identified with his critique of the "God of the Gap" image that is so prevalent in evangelism resources. I have struggled with this picture for a long time and I think Pagitt helped me understand why: this image shows God as being so removed from creation, and somehow helplessly distant from us on the other side of that great canyon, "Sin." I do believe that sin separates us from God, but I just don't buy this image that God has no interaction in peoples' lives until they cross that gap. The Hebrew understanding of the immanent God seems like a more biblical understanding than the one handed down to us by Greek tradition, which establishes him as "up and out" (to use Pagitt's phrase).

On a more personal level, I greatly admire Pagitt for the example he has set of doing the hard things. What he shared about his adopted son Chico brought tears to my eyes. I thought, "Wow, this truly is love! Not only to adopt a child, but to pour one's life into a child who faces such struggles of brokenness as a result of other people's sin."

I could go on and on, but I'll just share one more thought. The concept of the kingdom of God in the here and now is one that I think a lot of Christians have missed; I admit to have thought very little about its full implications until recently. What a different approach this is from the typical approach, "Do you know where you are going when you die?" What about the here and now? What about God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven? Thank you, Doug Pagitt, for helping me revisit these questions!

[Jessica Sideropoulos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doug's perspectives on sin, dualism vs holism, justice, and Jesus have completely refreshed my faith. Before reading, I found myself majorly discontented and even ashamed of being a Christian. Though I have been on this journey a long time, I didn't think anyone would want to be a Christian based on my understanding of what it meant. But this book's fresh take on the goodness of humanity and its chief end to partner with God, others, and creation in love and work, has renewed my vigor and appreciation for Christianity and life with God.




Especially in this Advent season, my passion for knowing Jesus has been stirred and I respect him much more. I have a deeper reverence for the history of the Jewish people and what Jesus meant to them. One of the most prevalent themes of the book is the distinction between Hebrew interpretation of and Greco-Roman impact on theology. I find myself drawn to the father-love figure painted by Hebrew history and rather put off by the distant judgmental God of the Greco-Roman tradition.




This book has really helped me reevaluate my mindsets and perspectives about God, sin, Jesus, the afterlife, and the point of life on earth. Highly recommended for those struggling to "like" their faith, who have the desire to discover an alternative view of Christianity.

[Joel Wentz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate Doug Pagitt's voice in our American context of practicing Christianity. This book is a good "intro-level" read into some of the questions the emerging Christian movement is asking: the nature of the atonement, God's presence and activity in the world, new angles on the centrality of Jesus, etc. It's certainly enjoyable, and even quite humorous at points, as Doug threads personal stories throughout his brief theological discussions. The book is winsome, and I would happily lend it to someone who is not familiar with the emergent narrative, but is discontent with traditional Evangelicalism. However, for someone like me, who has been grappling with these questions for several years already, much of what is talked about here feels repetitive. My recommendation definitely hangs on your experience with Christianity: have you grown up in a conservative, Evangelical culture, with little exposure to any other viewpoints? Highly recommended. Have you been exploring recent writings from people like McLaren, Tickle, Borg, Tony Jones and others? Then this will probably not be anything new.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was interesting to read how the Greeks ideas of the gods influenced Christianity and how those concepts which have been refined and held to for most of history might be stumbling blocks for people with a less grecian worldview today.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, and it asks questions many Christians might be afraid of asking. I appreciate Doug's voice in this conversation.

[Rachael · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay as far as it went, but it didn't go far enough. The stories I wanted him to tell and the topics I wanted him to explore seemed to dance just out of reach of the text.

[Bryan McWhite]

Really, really, really bad. So bad. This is a "Christianity" (definitely not) worth believing in. Anti-biblical and full of holes, this is a faith created in Pagitt's own image.

[Iter Meum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. The last chapter is worth the price of the book.

[Tiffany Bubna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good so far. I'm just not sure he's convinced me that Christianity is worth believing...