Warning: If modern church culture makes perfect sense to you, and you always fit in seamlessly, don’t read this. As for the rest of us… While American church culture (and American culture at large) seems largely designed for the extroverted, it’s estimated that half of the American population is introverted, and they’re often left wondering how, even if, they fit in the kingdom of God. As one … God. As one of them, popular radio host Brant Hansen brings news. It’s wonderful, refreshing, and never-been-said-this-way-before good news.
In his unique style, Hansen looks to answer questions that millions of people carry with them each day:
- If I don’t relate to God as emotionally as others do, is something wrong with me?
- How does one approach God, and approach faith, when devoid of the “good feelings” that seem to drive so much of evangelical church culture?
- How does God interact with those who seem spiritually numb?
- Is the absence of faith-based emotion a sign of that God has moved on or was never there?
- What if we aren’t good at talking to people about our faith, or good at talking to people at all?
- What if I’m told I’m too analytical, that I “think too much”?
- Where does a person who suffers from depression fit in the kingdom? Is depression a sure sign of a lack of faith?
This book is good news for people who are desperately looking for it. (And for their loved ones!)
It’s also for those who want to believe in Jesus, but inwardly fear that they don’t belong, worry that don’t have the requisite emotion-based relationship with God, and are starving for good news.
Blessed Are the Misfits is going to generate discussion, and lots of it. It’s simultaneously highly provocative and humbly personal. It’s also leavened with a distinct, dry, self-effacing humor that is a hallmark of Hansen’s on-air, writing, and public speaking style.
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I didn’t used to read a lot of nonfiction unless I was researching something for a novel I was writing. But lately I’ve picked up several Christian living and/or self-help titles and gotten quite a lot out of them. Blessed are the Misfits is one of those. I’ve heard Brant on the radio and liked his quirky personality. And I’m an introvert too. I didn’t expect to be as challenged as I was, and that is a fantastic thing. Brant deals with some real-life subjects many of us who’ve been Christians our whole lives deal with and think about. For example, the thought that our biggest calling in life as believers is to evangelize. I’ve always thought that and in fact was just thinking about it the other day. Brant doesn’t downplay the good of telling others about Jesus, but he throws a wrench in the idea too. Why do we think the “gift” of evangelism is more important that the other gifts mentioned in the same paragraph of Scripture? Hmm… there are so many freeing ideas here, and I think that’s Brant’s intent. He wants those of us who have questions, who might not fit in all the time, to know that we are welcome in the Kingdom. In fact, God often chose the weak and misfits to be His representatives ever since he walked the Earth. So bravo, Mr. Hansen, on making me think. I’ve already recommended this book to others.
I listened to this book because I have many younger friends who are asking tough questions about faith issues and church. But I found lots of wonderful nuggets for myself too. The author does the narration and he’s funny, disarming, and right on. So, if you’ve ever struggled with doubts or felt like you didn’t fit into ‘church’—especially American church—I recommend this one.
Maybe you’re an extrovert. Maybe you go to church and totally fit in, never wonder if you don’t belong, never feel like others must be closer to God than you are. Radio show host Brant Hansen wrote this book for the rest of us. If you don’t understand modern church culture, feel like you must be missing something because you don’t feel the emotions others feel, maybe you’re not a good enough Christian, this book might just help. For the introverts, the outcasts, the spiritually numb, the misfits–this book might just change your life.
I knew from Brant’s radio show & podcast that he knows exactly what its like to feel out of touch with Christian church culture. In the book, he shows even more that he has every reason to feel disenfranchised and skeptical about even the existence of God. And yet, that is exactly what has led him to believe and trust in God. He shares some stories from his life, some of which had me laughing so much! (Seriously, the flute & folding chair incident never gets old, even though I’m sure it must have been terrible for him in the moment.)
One of my favorite things that he talks about in the book is the concept of “together, yet apart” in regards to our relationship with God. There’s so much about the Bible that we don’t really get because we don’t understand the culture back then, the people it was initially addressed to, or even the geography. Brant explains the betrothal period for Jewish couples, and equates that to us and God, and it can put your entire life into a whole new perspective!
More than just making me feel better knowing that I’m not alone in feeling like a misfit in church culture (and even in non-church culture), some of what Brant has to say really opened my eyes to my responsibility. For example, as an Aspie (someone who has Asperger’s syndrome), Brant has much more cause to stay away from people than I do–more reason to not fit in, not understand. And yet, he explains how he has to make a conscious effort to interact. To love people. I’ve never really bothered to do that. There’s also a whole section about bumping up against someone and seeing what kind of “fruit” falls off them, which can show you who they really are, not who they claim to be. I know that the responses I produce in moments like that are not always positive. I want my fruit to be loving, generous, and kind.
There’s so much more than I can go into in my review, but trust me, if any of this makes any kind of sense to you, make sure you read this book. He speaks simply and honestly, makes some really good points, and uses the Bible to back it all up. I recommend this book for all Christians, because even if you don’t feel like a misfit, it might help you to understand those around you who do. And even if you’re not a Christian or just don’t think the book will be for you, I suggest you check out The Brant & Sherri Oddcast.