In "Misfit Faith: Confessions of a Drunk Ex-Pastor" Jason Stellman offers a compelling narrative born out of his life. This life led him through a myriad of experiences as an attendee and then missionary in the Calvary Chapel movement, as an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church, and as a member of the Roman Catholic Church. All of these experiences have allowed Stellman to wrestle with his faith in an honest way. The narrative produced here is his narrative. The story inspired by his experiences. In this regard it should not be judged. Stellman is honest with where he is at in relationship to God and the Scriptures.
He tells the narrative of his life in a way that is captivating and full of humor. His wit often challenges the reader to consider where their narrative has taken them. He encourages all of us to ask how our journey has produced in us the way which we practice religion or do not practice religion. He challenges each of us to consider our practice of faith and how that practice may or may not align with God and Jesus Christ as presented in the pages of Scripture. In this regard, Stellman offers a compelling and soul-searching narrative.
I find myself struggling to agree with much of his theology though. This could be because my narrative and Stellman's narratives are very different. The largest aspect of Stellman's argument that I wrestle with is that his primary approach to God is through the image of God as Father. This type is certainly well represented throughout Scripture, but God is presented as so much more than a Father throughout the pages of Scripture. He is the Holy One. He is the Creator. He is the Provider. He is the Peace-Bringer. He is the Covenant Maker. He is the Judge. He is so much more than Father. In one quick line, Stellman acknowledges that his primary motif is God as Father and this is not the only way that God is described throughout Scripture, but it is a throw away line that receives no further comment.
Stellman is correct that God is love and that love is inspired by God's character as Father. Yet, Stellman is mistaken to claim that fathers never have to judge their children's behavior or correct their behavior.
Perhaps, the modern church's predilection toward judgment and hell is not entirely healthy and it is likely not completely Biblical (we spend way too much time talking about hell and not understanding the cultural milieu that birthed the concept of hell). Yet, there remains in Scripture testimony to a God who judges out of love and offers freedom out of love.
I pray that Stellman continues to explore and consider who God is. I myself will commit to doing so, praying that my understanding of God is informed by Scripture and truth, more by God's narrative than my own.
I received this book from Penguin/Random House as part of the Blogging for Books Program.
