Book Description Review ‘If the church of your childhood has broken your heart–particularly, politically–if your faith foundations have been shaken by betrayal and complicity, it might seem quaint to turn toward virtues. And yet what are we yearning for but embodied goodness? Amy has given us a well-researched, beautifully written, strong book about the virtues necessary for the apocalypse. We need to lean in further to discernment, lament, love, and hospitality, not in a weak be nice sort of way but in the muscular, lean way that holds on to hope out of faith disguised as sheer stubbornness. This book is one part lament, one part hope, and entirely necessary for these days.’ –Sarah Bessey, author, Miracles and Other Reasonable Things and Jesus Feminist’Readers will find [Peterson’s] courageous exposure of American evangelicalism’s watered-down version of Christianity eye-opening, convicting, refreshing, and inspiring.’ –Carolyn Custis James, author, Finding God in the Margins and Malestrom’In this poignant, honest book, Amy Peterson confronts her disappointment with the evangelical leaders who handed her The Book of Virtues then happily ignored them for the sake of political power. But instead of just walking away, Peterson rewrites the script, giving us an alternative book of virtues needed in this moment. And it’s no mistake that it ends with hope.’ –James K. A. Smith, author, You Are What You Love, and editor-in- chief, Image journal’Amy Peterson reflects the best of the church’s next generation. With biblical faithfulness and wisdom, Where Goodness Still Grows gently critiques the shortcomings of the generation who came before her, then lovingly points the way toward a more holistic and virtuous future for all who claim the name of Christ.’ –Karen Swallow Prior, author, On Reading Well and Fierce Convictions’Deconstructing is becoming a new normal; re-envisioning a path forward in the shadow of tradition is increasingly rare. Through gorgeous prose and widening her scope to a diverse array of voices, Peterson is doing the hardest work of all: stubbornly clinging to faith while holding it accountable at the exact same time. This book is vital reading.’ –D. L. Mayfield, author, Assimilate or Go Home and The Myth of the American Dream’Set against a culture where truth is for sale and faith trades down for power, this exquisite book invites us to abandon fear, cultivate curiosity, and learn to connect. If you’re searching for signs of life, you will find them here.’ –Shannan Martin, author, The Ministry of Ordinary Places and Falling Free’Amy Peterson’s reflective, impassioned book is for anyone who, like me, both loves the evangelical Christian movement in which you were raised and also grieves its compromises and inconsistencies. It is one of the most genuinely hopeful books I’ve ever read: clear-eyed about Christian complicity in evil, resolute in its determination to recover the good in spite of the church’s failures, and visionary in its attempt to imagine a better future.’ –Wesley Hill, author, Spiritual Friendship Read more About the Author Amy Peterson is a writer and teacher whose work has appeared in Christianity Today, River Teeth, The Millions, The Other Journal, The Cresset, Christian Century, and elsewhere. She is the author of Dangerous Territory: My Misguided Quest to Save the World. Read more Customers Review: As I read “Where Goodness Still Grows,” I had an overwhelming range of emotions. I couldn’t take this book anywhere without a pen. There are notes and questions all throughout the margins. More than anything, this book made me long to discuss its contents. I want to think deeply about the virtues contained in its covers—modesty, purity, authenticity, and more. I want to bring those thoughts to dialogue.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀What does the Bible really tell us about living a virtuous life? Is it possible that much of my disappointment with Christian culture is an appropriate judgement of the ways it’s left the Bible behind?In my Bible teaching and writing, I expect to reference this text often. So useful and worded so beautifully.
I pre-ordered Where Goodness Still Grows because I liked Amy’s other book, Dangerous Territory. This one did not disappoint. She simply and clearly describes how misunderstandings of biblical principals can lead to misapplication of them and misuse of them, and she goes on to tell how correct understanding of them can heal and restore us in a better relationship with one another and with God. Beautifully written and relevant for today’s culture!
Each chapter is a reflection on a virtue, from the author’s viewpoint as a questioning Evangelical Conservative. Each chapter stunned me – both in the incredible beauty of the writing and thoughts evoked. The chapter “Love” is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever read. Even as someone from opposite political and religious viewpoints, I will reread and reflect on this book many times, and share it with friends. It’s a quick read and leaves one feeling hopeful.
Where Goodness Still Grows is the fertilizer to help re-root ourselves in the truths of foundational virtues of our faith, as the subtitle says, “in an age of hypocrisy.” This is a book that you can judge by the cover, because the content is just as beautiful, and hope-filled. It is a wonderful blend of thoughtful scholarship, personal reflection, and a grounding of scripture. I already know that this will be one of my favorite books of the year. I am confident that the reader’s perspective on the virtues addressed in this book will be broadened and challenged. Mine definitely were.
Where Goodness Still Grows is a book I will certainly read again and refer back to often. The writing is smart, brave, honest and loving. I found it equal parts heartbreaking, frustrating, beautiful, convicting, and hopeful. Can’t recommend enough!
This is a book I want to give to everyone I know. It is surprising and subversive, but also deeply hopeful. Amy blends research, memoir, and theology to produce something that is galvanizing me to live with curiosity, radical hospitality, and love for the American church and the world at large.
If you grew up in the evangelical subculture during the 1990s or even the 2000s like author Amy Peterson did or if you worked with youth during this time period like I did, there are certain virtues and values that were an important part of life. This was the era of purity culture where modesty and good character was emphasized, learning to logically defend your faith was encouraged, and The Book of Virtues was bedtime reading. As this generation is in the midst of parenting their own children and fully embracing adulthood, contemporary culture is causing many to question these virtues and values particularly at a time when some church leaders seem to have done an about face in regard to these same values particularly in the political sphere. In Where Goodness Still Grows: Reclaiming Virtue in an Age of Hypocrisy, Amy Peterson shares personally regarding her own journey and experiences and digs into research regarding each virtue being examined through nine thought provoking chapters.Beyond the engaging exploration of her own faith journey and experiences, Peterson does a marvelous job of digging into each of the virtues presented and what they mean. She explores the history and meaning of different words, pulls in biblical research for the basis of each virtue, and shows how the meaning or practice of a particular virtue has changed over time. For example, her exploration of the meaning of the word “kind” which we often throw way as a generic “nice person” showed the root of the word and turns your understanding around. For other terms, Peterson demonstrates that the version of “purity” or “modesty” frequently taught in evangelical sub-culture is a subverted view of the true biblical meaning. Some readers will be surprised when seeing “lament” as the first chapter as it is not a virtue frequently discussed. However, Peterson uses this chapter to set the stage for why she wrote this book and encourages us that lament needs to be a virtue we embrace more fully.Where Goodness Still Grows is a book that demands a slow, thoughtful reading. It is not a book to sit down and read quickly but should be savored and discussed with others. In fact, my only suggestion for improving this book would be the addition of questions to facilitate discussion in a book group setting. If you feel a disconnect between the virtues and values you were taught while growing up, particularly if you grew up or worked with youth in the 1990s, and the current seeming disdain for those same virtues, you need to read this book. If you don’t feel there is a disconnect but wonder why people feel that way, read this book with an open heart and mind.I was provided an ARC from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I was not obligated to provide a positive review. |
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