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The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires Our Trust More Than Our "Correct" Beliefs by Peter Enns
aediger2's review
4.0
Enns provides a compelling understanding of Christianity based on faith rather than belief. This mentality brings a freedom from the crippling fear of doubt or the feeling that God is not present.
In a time when so many young adults are electing to leave the church, Enns identifies what might be the reason - the need for "correct thinking." Perhaps many who have left Christianity do so for reasons that could be preventable had the focus been less on certainty of the spiritual and more on being faithful to act according to the ways of the Lord.
This book is a refreshing understanding of what genuine Christian faith looks like and is a respite from hard core theologies and political interpretations of religion.
In a time when so many young adults are electing to leave the church, Enns identifies what might be the reason - the need for "correct thinking." Perhaps many who have left Christianity do so for reasons that could be preventable had the focus been less on certainty of the spiritual and more on being faithful to act according to the ways of the Lord.
This book is a refreshing understanding of what genuine Christian faith looks like and is a respite from hard core theologies and political interpretations of religion.
kay_kay_marie's review
4.0
This was a good book but a challenging one. What I appreciate is it helped me see things from the eyes of others who struggle in seasons of doubt. Enns was honest about his walk, and I’d say it’s more like a gentle biography than a teaching book. What we have to be cautious of is assuming that now Enns has the only right way. Often, our desire for being right and harnessing control of our ideas of faith and God end us placing us in a category of black and white. I’m learning to let people experience their walk and simply focus on mine.
But, I can see how if you believe strongly in your beliefs and think anyone else is wrong, this could be a particularly painful or infuriating book to read. I read a similar review to this train of thought.
But, I can see how if you believe strongly in your beliefs and think anyone else is wrong, this could be a particularly painful or infuriating book to read. I read a similar review to this train of thought.
betanine's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Peter Enns describes his journey from a religious belief with certain, clearly defined parameters that explain God and exactly what God wants from the people of the world to a faith that trust God, even when Enns doesn’t understand God.
For some, the thoughts in this book are hard to hear when we feel we need to know exactly who God is and what God wants of us and how God will behave.
For some, this is a basin as we struggle to understand how God can be all moving when God commands the Israelites to commit genocide in the Old Testament.
Finally, there are some who will find the thoughts in this book a mix of the two previous groups. In parts afraid of losing a strong base for belief while still struggling with experiences that do not line up with their belief in who God is and what God is supposed to do.
I have wrestled with the ideas in the book over the last 20+ years. Hearing someone else who hasn’t lost faith in God express them gives me hope that I haven’t dialed it in. Enns argues that the better definition of faith is to trust someone, even when you don’t know what they will do or why they will do it. This allows God to be bigger and more powerful in my mind and not one who is easily manipulated by what I want when I want it. It is both a harder and easier way to live in God.
For some, the thoughts in this book are hard to hear when we feel we need to know exactly who God is and what God wants of us and how God will behave.
For some, this is a basin as we struggle to understand how God can be all moving when God commands the Israelites to commit genocide in the Old Testament.
Finally, there are some who will find the thoughts in this book a mix of the two previous groups. In parts afraid of losing a strong base for belief while still struggling with experiences that do not line up with their belief in who God is and what God is supposed to do.
I have wrestled with the ideas in the book over the last 20+ years. Hearing someone else who hasn’t lost faith in God express them gives me hope that I haven’t dialed it in. Enns argues that the better definition of faith is to trust someone, even when you don’t know what they will do or why they will do it. This allows God to be bigger and more powerful in my mind and not one who is easily manipulated by what I want when I want it. It is both a harder and easier way to live in God.
danisacchi's review
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This book should be required reading for all who identify as Christian. Enns articulates so well what many of us experience when we ask questions in unwelcome spaces that prioritizes correct thinking - "the dark night of the soul," or wilderness. With gentleness, he teaches us how to separate our ideas about God (which often comes from toxic people and places) and our faith/trust in God. Enns gives us permission to experience uncertainty and doubt while also trusting and being near to God. A beautiful, necessary read I'll come back to frequently.
khuizenga's review
2.0
Enns does best when he is telling stories or looking at Biblical passages (although I would have liked a more in-depth analysis here), but I found the book to get slightly repetitive despite only being about 200 pages. It's a good premise, and important, but I wanted more meat. However, it was written for a wide audience and is super accessible, which is a skill in itself. I just wanted more from it than I got. Also he doesn't tell his own story until the end I think it was a driving force for this book, so it should have been closer to the beginning.
adamrshields's review
4.0
Short Review: I think that this is a book that is going to be misread by many and left unread by many more because of the title. The main theme is that the role of the church and of us as Christians is to trust Christ and love others as first priority. Repeatedly throughout the book Enns makes clear that he is not opposed to creeds or theological boundaries, but he is opposed to misusing creeds and theological boundaries as an excuse to not love well.
This is really a book about Enns. And so I think if I were his editor, I would have encouraged him to reorganize the book to make his own story earlier and more central. As it is, he is speaking in the book of his own issues (especially how his doubt and lack of real trust in Christ lead to an eventual deeper faith) throughout the book. But it is not until the last section is where he goes into more biographical story. I think that would have been better to move the biographical section earlier in the book which might have given the uncharitable reader a bit more encouragement to be charitable. Enns can be a bit prickly and for people already pre-disposed to view him badly I think this is a book that will be too easily dismissed.
But there is real need for books like this that are written out of recovered (or recovering) pain. Enns was treated badly in his dismissal from Westminster. His daughter's eating disorder at the same time left him questioning God and without supportive community. So I strongly encourage this as a helpful book, but not one without some issues.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/sin-of-certainty/
This is really a book about Enns. And so I think if I were his editor, I would have encouraged him to reorganize the book to make his own story earlier and more central. As it is, he is speaking in the book of his own issues (especially how his doubt and lack of real trust in Christ lead to an eventual deeper faith) throughout the book. But it is not until the last section is where he goes into more biographical story. I think that would have been better to move the biographical section earlier in the book which might have given the uncharitable reader a bit more encouragement to be charitable. Enns can be a bit prickly and for people already pre-disposed to view him badly I think this is a book that will be too easily dismissed.
But there is real need for books like this that are written out of recovered (or recovering) pain. Enns was treated badly in his dismissal from Westminster. His daughter's eating disorder at the same time left him questioning God and without supportive community. So I strongly encourage this as a helpful book, but not one without some issues.
My full review is on my blog at http://bookwi.se/sin-of-certainty/
danisnowman's review
5.0
Amazing book. Recommended for anyone (specially evangelicals) who are having a crisis of faith/doubts. Truly life changing lessons.
Imo it reads better if you’re familiar with other of Enns’ works such as The Bible Tells Me So, How The Bible Actually Works his podcast with Jared Byas: The Bible For Normal People.
Imo it reads better if you’re familiar with other of Enns’ works such as The Bible Tells Me So, How The Bible Actually Works his podcast with Jared Byas: The Bible For Normal People.