Dating Jesus: A Story of Fundamentalism, Feminism, and the American Girl

I am weary of the depressing, dark memoirs of late and found this to be a refreshing change. With great wit, grace, and good humor, this memoir of growing up the Missouri Ozarks in a fundamental church is an outstanding read. Great for book groups.

Let's face it, reading the typical memoir is akin to watching someone's summer vacation video: deadly dull. It's only when the traveler explores exotic lands, encounters strangeness and returns (or better yet, escapes) to tell the tale that things truly become interesting. Susan Campbell is such a traveler, sharing stories of a fundamentalist upbringing so different from what most Americans experience that it scarcely seems possible. We struggle to believe that it took place here rather than on foreign soil. And, as with the best of travelers, Campbell is both changed by her experience and yet solidly the same. Her faith is no longer dogmatic, yet her values remain bedrock firm. With unflinching humor and quick wit, she asks questions that defy easy answers... and I can't help but nod in recognition. No matter what our backgrounds, we all ask many of the same questions. Who is this God person, anyway? And is it a sin to beat the snot out of my brother for being a jerk? :) On average, I read 2-3 books a week. Dating Jesus took me over a week to read and absorb and reflect... a rare treat! Kudos to a book that does more than entertain, it enlightens.

Dating Jesus demonstrates Campbell's unrivaled ability to use her personal experience to explore and and expose broader social issues, such as women's role in traditional Christian religions. While she writes of her experience as a fundamentalist, the struggles, themes, and disappointments will be familiar to so many women who have felt let down by their churches. Raised as a Catholic, I also had a strong relationship with Christ and with my church, until, painfully, I realized I would never be treated fairly there. Campbell poignantly reminds us that Jesus was a feminist and I needed that reminder desperately. This book is a great read for anyone who thinks about gender equity, women's rights, religion and the role of the church in our lives and in society. I have the privilege of reading Susan Campbell regularly as she writes for my local paper, the Hartford Courant. Her writing is always thought-provoking and gutsy with enriching personal insights and humor. Dating Jesus will get you thinking about your relationship with religion: it has already profoundly affected mine. Thank you Susan!

What a delight to read Susan's book. What could be a dry subject is made engaging with Susan's personal style. She intercepts thought provoking ideas and historical perspectives with her witty sidebar comments. I especially enjoyed the final chapter where she pulls all of her history together and attempts to make some final conclusions, if that is at all possible. This book should be a must in all religious and feminist studies classes. It encourages the reader to look at their own belief systems.