My Faith So Far: A Story of Conversion and Confusion

With rare honesty and at times gut-twisting vulnerability, Patton Dodd presents a unique perspective on wrestling with one's faith. His experience touches on the nearly universal longing to believe, a longing wrought with the fear of placing one's faith in something that doesn't warrent such whole-hearted commitment. As he gives himself over to what he hopes will be a life-changing conversion, he soon learns that nothing comes easily. And as life becomes littered with doubts, he finds himself wondering what to do with the faith that remains. Dodd's thought-provoking, often-humorous account of his faith journey thus far will resonate with all those who have abandoned their faith over similar doubts, those who cling to their faith despite their doubts--and those who have yet to admit such doubts, even to themselves.

I just finished reading Patton Dodd's book, and it is truly an extraordinary account of how faith develops in real, contemporary life. It's funny, self-deprecating, and God-loving all at the same time. To be able to write and reflect on one's faith, and one's relationship with God, with such honesty is a remarkable feat. If only all Christians were so honest with themselves and with others! For me, this book is right up there with other contemporary spiritual autobiographies such as Anne Lamott's Traveling Mercies, CS Lewis's Surprised by Joy, and Mary Blye Howe's A Baptist Among the Jews.

My Faith So Far is a brilliant, close-up look into the life a conflicted, but well-intentioned young man. It's the sort of book that allows you to examine your own experiences and how you might have handled those offered by the writer. Mr. Dodd's ability to mix nostalgia, razor-sharp-wit, and an honest, even painful self-appraisal make this one of the best memoirs I've ever read. The book centers on 2 years encapsulating his experiences in college and life as they pertain to the building and deconstructing of his world-view. It's whimsical and sardonic at once and has, at least for me, a great contemplative feeling. You won't read too many books from Christian authors that have this depth of honesty. And the rawness with which he handles his emotional/intellectual experiences is the real treasure found in the pages of MFSF. An author's ability to connect with the reader via memoir is closely linked to his ability to be transparent, Patton Dodd allows you to feel what he feels, examine what he thinks, and come to your own conclusions about faith,life and God. If you're trying to: a. Get a grasp on your belief system, b. Understand contemporary Chrsitian culture, c. Have a good read before you go to bed at night, Then this book is for you.

No, smart evangelicalism is NOT an oxymoron. This books gives the big lie to all sorts of popular misconceptions of born-again Christians in America, most notably the view that they are unthinking irrationalists. For here we have the examined life, evangelical style. Faith and doubt cohabitating in the body (and mind) of a 20-something American. Smart, witty, alternately reverent and irreverent. And a wonderful read.

"My Faith so Far" is an intoxicating read, full of humor, insight, wisdom and compassion. If you've ever struggled with your faith--and no matter how it turned out for you--you'll find this book hard to put down. In every chapter I found myself thinking, "Yeah, that's exactly how I felt," even if the details were different. But the real pay-off comes with the author's analysis and ability to bring historical context to bear on his own spiritual struggle. And no matter your place in life, you'll find this memoir to be to be a real window on the hearts and minds of so many of today's young Americans. Buy it, read it, recommend it to a friend.