Blessed Are the Misfits: Great News for Believers who are Introverts, Spiritual Strugglers, or Just Feel Like They're Missing Something

by Brant Hansen

Paperback, 2017

Status

Available

Description

Christian Nonfiction. Religion & Spirituality. Sociology. Nonfiction. HTML: Warning: If modern church culture makes perfect sense to you, and you always fit in seamlessly, don't read this. As for the rest of us... While American church culture (and American culture at large) seems largely designed for the extroverted, it's estimated that half of the American population is introverted, and they're often left wondering how, even if, they fit in the kingdom of God. As one of them, popular radio host Brant Hansen brings news. It's wonderful, refreshing, and never-been-said-this-way-before good news. In his unique style, Hansen looks to answer questions that millions of people carry with them each day: If I don't relate to God as emotionally as others do, is something wrong with me? How does one approach God, and approach faith, when devoid of the "good feelings" that seem to drive so much of evangelical church culture? How does God interact with those who seem spiritually numb? Is the absence of faith-based emotion a sign of that God has moved on or was never there? What if we aren't good at talking to people about our faith, or good at talking to people at all? What if I'm told I'm too analytical, that I "think too much"? Where does a person who suffers from depression fit in the kingdom? Is depression a sure sign of a lack of faith? This book is good news for people who are desperately looking for it. (And for their loved ones!) It's also for those who want to believe in Jesus, but inwardly fear that they don't belong, worry that don't have the requisite emotion-based relationship with God, and are starving for good news. Blessed Are the Misfits is going to generate discussion, and lots of it. It's simultaneously highly provocative and humbly personal. It's also leavened with a distinct, dry, self-effacing humor that is a hallmark of Hansen's on-air, writing, and public speaking style..… (more)

Publication

Thomas Nelson (2017), 256 pages

Rating

½ (14 ratings; 4.5)

User reviews

LibraryThing member akblanchard
Modern evangelical Christianity has a extroverted, neurotypical bent, which can lead introverts, cynics, Aspergians, and people with depression to feel like they are missing something, or feel left out. For these "misfits" who find evangelicalism appealing nonetheless, radio personality Brant
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Hansen offers heartfelt advice on dealing with other people at church. It is not necessary for everyone to be an evangelist, he writes, and although some fellow church members may claim to hear the literal voice of God, that's not necessary either (to me, these are straw man arguments). He goes on to say that Christianity (or, "Jesus-following") helps him with his introversion (although I think he has "introversion" mixed up with misanthropy) and tendency toward depression. Finally, to counter his self-professed cynicism, he offers a rebuttal to Dawkins-style atheism.

If you like books that combine memoir and admonition with apologetics, you will find this one a good example of the genre.
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LibraryThing member cwhisenant11
I first heard Brant Hansen on my local Christian radio station over a decade ago. I remember how soothing his voice was in the morning and how everything he said was not only interesting but also sensible and thought provoking. I was so sad when he moved. When I saw this book up for grabs, I knew I
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had to read it! This book reminded me of all the things I loved about Brant's show. First, he opens up and allows himself to be vulnerable so that you can relate to him. Then, he opens your eyes to a fresh perspective of who God really is. This book was such an encouragement to me. I highly recommend!!

I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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