Baker Books eARC
I've been a longtime listener of the Faith Adjacent podcast, so I knew as soon as I heard about Erin's book, I wanted to read it. This was such a great look into deconstruction from a viewpoint that wasn't shame filled, coercive, or manipulative. She slowly lays out her journey and what worked and didn't for her. I appreciated her honesty and deep exploration of her steadfast beliefs and how they changed. I think she showed how it's possible to want better and gave practical tips for starting points. I think this will be such an important book for those wanting to deepen their faith while also examining their tightly held beliefs to figure out where they actually came from and where to go from there.

Erin Hicks Moon adds a needed voice in the spiritual growth category. Not all paths are congruent with John Mark Comer's "Practicing the Way" or the classic "Celebration of Discipline." Many people need to process the pain, damage and questions that emerge in many people's lives -- and are present in the people who also take Comer's or Foster's path,

Many people have questions, some of which are not spoken out loud in church. Some may ride along, avoiding the conflict of leaving a faith tradition for another, or leaving a faith journey entirely, This book helps to provide a framework for those who are electing to stay while welcoming those who are heading away.

Using the analogy of a garden, Moon interacts with the process necessary for discovering what is critical to rebuilding faith.

The title is recommended for leaders and vocal participants in the "Practicing the Way" juggernaut, as well as for people who are in a place of spiritual rebuilding. Even if the reader is not in a phase of reviewing their core beliefs, the perspective is important to see. I will be purchasing the book to put on my shelf with Comer and Foster, along with the materials I have on pilgrimage.

When sharing my review with my bookie, he suggested reading the book in context of Ruth Haley Barton's _Invitation to solitude and silence: experiencing God's transforming presence_, a title that would be more congruent with Comer and Foster. Odds are that many readers would connect with Barton's work, but Moon's book should also be given a voice in the process. M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.'s _The deeper journey: the spirituality of discovering your true self_ is also noted as being a part of the total picture.

Hard-fought faith meets in a garden. Beautifully written, feisty, and full of grace.

Thank you, NetGalley and Baker Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

With her trademark fire and heart, Erin Moon writes honestly about the questions she has been asking regarding her faith. I enjoyed it and (having grown up similarly to her) understood it on a personal level. I did feel it was repetitive and wordy in some sections, but overall it was a great read.

Do I ever have questions about God, Scripture, and the beliefs of my denomination? Sure. Do I understand that terrible things have been done in the name of Christianity in the past? You bet. Do I abhor the fact that many individual Christians (some of them leaders) have exhibited sinful behavior? Of course. Do I believe that I myself, and other Christians in my immediate circle often fail to love one another and God as we have been commanded? Sadly, yes. The author is not wrong is pointing out these things. However, does this mean that I need to "deconstruct" my faith and "burn down" the framework that supports what I believe? Should I use my "sacred imagination" to come up with explanations that align more closely with my own feelings? Here's where we part company.

I had trouble relating to this author's anger about her particular religious tradition, which seems to have been very legalistic. I also found much of the book to be a repetitive recitation of all that is wrong with the Chrisitan church and Christianity in general. I also objected to the frequent us of coarse language which I found inappropriate and unnecessary.

In short, I wouldn't recommend it.

There is so much to like about I've Got Questions.

It reads like a feisty, book-length paraphrase of Jude 22: "Be merciful to those who doubt."

Erin is refreshingly candid about her up-and-down faith journey (drink)* and offers loads of mercy and encouragement to those wrestling with God, turned off by Christians' inconsistencies, or asking hard questions about the Bible.

No doubt this book will receive a barrage of not-so-friendly fire from those who either haven't read or don't like Jude 22. And you may not agree with everything here. But for those looking for a reason to keep fighting the good fight of faith, Erin's book will be a reassuring guide.

*You'll need to read the book to get this reference.

Pros: I am a big fan of Erin Moon’s work for the Popcast Media Group—especially with the Faith Adjacent podcast. From listening to her talk about faith for years, I was thrilled to learn she was writing a book—I knew she would approach it with the same nuance and thoughtfulness (and humor!) she brings to the podcast.

This book isn’t just for podcast listeners though. It’s for anyone who has had questions or struggles with (and grief over) their faith because of the current state of Christianity/the church. The author encourages readers to remember that faith isn’t a fixed point, that uncertainty is not a bad thing, and that curiosity is a good thing. As the author and I are millennials of similar ages, I find her (and her cultural references) to be very relatable and makes her writing feel like a friend is walking me through a “journey.”

I think this will be a book I revisit, and I hope to listen to an audio version because I am so used to hearing the author’s voice on the Faith Adjacent podcast.

Cons: The only con that I can think of is that readers must wait until February to read this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Baker Books for the opportunity to read this book.