the_midwest_library 's review for:

The Evangelical Imagination: How Stories, Images, and Metaphors Created a Culture in Crisis by Karen Swallow Prior

2.0

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So I picked this up because the author is a well known controversial figure in the Christianity space, she had an op ed supporting the Texas Abortion Bans and is all around not my kinda person. However the premise of this book sounded so interesting! 


So this is a crazy book, it's essentially exploring the connection that culture and societal changes have had on the evangelical faith specifically looking at metaphors, symbolism and other items to push its thesis. 

So I'm clearly NOT the intended audience of this book but was attempting to read in good faith because I like to explore what the other side is promoting. The ideas are there but the irony of this book, is its exploration of the imagination, and imagined meaning that metaphors and the like have had on the religion and finding the "true meaning" of these metaphors through Christ. It was a really eye opening read but I don't think in the way the author intended. It was exceptionally circular, self serving and there's so much cognitive dissonance I'm surprised I made it through. Loved every second of this crazy train book, two stars. Would not read again. 

People of the faith would probably love this, and enjoy its preachy and self-helpy tone.