While spending a week at the family lake cabin on Lake Sam
Rayburn, the book I chose to read was Evolving in Monkey Town, by Rachel Held Evans. I had heard of this book and had the
sample read on my Kindle. A couple of years ago I heard Evans speak at the ACU
(Abilene Christian University) Summit Lectureship. So, I was somewhat familiar
with who Rachel Held Evans was as a speaker and author. I then, made the
decision to download her whole book and give it a read. Best decision thus far
this trip.
This post is not meant to be a review of Rachel Held Evans’
book, but a sorting out of the impact her book, which chronicles her doubts
about her beliefs, had on me. I was glad to learn the book was not really about
monkeys or even evolution of man, but instead, an evolution of Evan’s doubts
about God and her journey to find answers to some tough questions. It is encouraging
that even though I’m 31 years her senior, that a 20-something year old woman
expressed so well with profound meaning what has been churning in my mind for
many years now.
All of my life I have believed in God, Jesus as my Savior
and the divine truth of scripture. My prayers to God have turned into personal
requests for help with doubts lately. Similar to Rachel Held Evans, my
childhood routines revolved around church activities and weekly worship
services. Church attendance, Bible reading, Sunday School have been part of my
life since birth. As a preteen/teenager, I didn’t attend dances, drink alcohol or
wear short shorts. I attended church services literally every time the doors
were opened, church camp every summer from the time I was old enough, monthly youth
devotionals as a teen and summer Vacation Bible Schools since the beginning of
time. My dad was a deacon in our church, then an elder and on occasion stepped
for the preacher when he was out of town. I knew all of my home congregation’s
preachers personally. State universities were not even on my radar when I chose
a Christian university to attend after high school. In my mind, attending a Christian
college meant I’d finally be around more people who thought like me. The boys I’d
date would all be Christians, or so I thought. Even today, some 40+ years
later, I need to know my doubts and questions are not uncommon. Rachel Held
Evans’ written words resonated with some of the same “why” questions I’ve had
about God.
