A Purple State of Mind: Finding Middle Ground in a Divided Culture

This book is a no nonsense thought provoking analogy of the times. It encompasses peoples beliefs and where their beliefs lead them on the road of life. While watching the video my first impression was shock at the casual manner in which they spoke of religion in relation to their lives. The video shows conversations between old college buddies Craig and John and their religious beliefs and their lives and why they feel the way they do. John appeared as the angry man. He seemed at first to be constantly challenging Craig, even angry that Craig was filled with God's love. I felt that he was an angry man and was trying to use his anger to challenge Craig's faith. Craig took each question or challenge from John and answered it as best he could. Often John didn't like his answer and he let Craig know. But as the video went on I found out that John behaved the way he did because he saw the terrible hurt in the world and just couldn't believe that a loving God would allow this to happen. All his questions to Craig were about trying to find out the secret, the key if you will, about this God that Craig always talked about and believed in and loved. He wanted some proof of his existence in a tangible way. And in my opinion, that is why we have faith. I give this book and video a #1 and an A+ rating because it showed me another way of thinking that I hadn't considered. And because it taught me to have compassion and understanding for those who question our beliefs, even in anger.

"A Purple State of Mind" by Craig Detweiler was a shock to my system that made me want to turn off the DVD and put down the book, but I'm glad I pressed on. Politically, our nation is separated into red states and blue states. The purple state refers to a merging of the two culturally where we can all "just get along". At first, I saw this as the lukewarmness that the author warns about, but as I read (and watched) further, I realized that this wasn't about a Christian easing up on his convictions, but about obedience to God's command to love others. Craig, the author, and John met in college and were roommates. It was Craig's first year as a Christian and John's last. When I read that statement, I was intrigued and saddened and curious and prayerful. The four conversations that followed between Craig and his friend, John, are hostile, sometimes blasphemous and painfully real. Where many of us attempt to separate our Christian life from the rest of our existence, "A Purple State of Mind" shows us just how impossible that is. Christianity is not what we are, it is who we are, if at all. "A Purple State of Mind" has forever changed me for the better. I have a greater understanding of the concept, "love the sinner, not the sin." And I more clearly see the Bible as a mirror to examine myself rather than a microscope to judge others. This book has also made me want to study apologetics so that I better understand why I believe what I believe so that I may be ready to give an answer to the hostile individuals in my life who ask those questions. Craig Detweiler has brought "thinking man's Christianity" to light.