I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for a review. I stopped reading and shelved it after the first chapter, about 23% read. (Which is a really long chapter, also quite repetitive). The book was very sociological focused and cited known contemplative, liberal, and evolutionary thinkers in and outside of the authors denomination. It also denied our collective fallen, sin nature (original sin) from the Garden of Eden, instead citing "three overarching movements of Christian spirituality-- original goodness, original trauma, original unity." (Never heard of these before in relation to theology, where did they come from?) With so many words,the true Gospel, where true freedom is found in recovery (alongside community and compassion), was denied.

The Gospel is this: Jesus, being fully man and fully God, was born of a virgin, was tempted yet lived a sinless life, so that in his great love for us people he created, Jesus would take our place on the cross to die for our sins, and rose on the third day, so that now whomever REPENTS and believes in HIM receives everlasting life upon death in this world, and can be reconciled unto God, for Jesus is our mediator and redeemer. All have fallen short of the glory of God, and no amount of wishful thinking, trying harder, or denying our own habitual sin, will ever be enough. This is why we need a Savior, Jesus.

Stating, in relation to the phrase "original, goodness, original trauma, and original unity" that "this is the whole Gospel, for the whole world" is blatantly a false gospel and will lead others astray.

I found it difficult to continue reading. Stating "we are already one" is universalist. Stating "We are already good" completely denied our need for a savior, because if we are good, then sin doesn't exist in us, and there is no need for repentance, and no true weight and reason for the Gospel.

Last, aside from the theological errors, the message of the book in itself is beneficial in focusing on the need for community, the epidemic of loneliness,and the pain and trauma people inflict on themselves and others from a number of reasons, including a deep seated lack of community and care. It is the need for a people to belong to. This conversation is much needed.

The need for churches to care for others is exclaimed, entering into the lowly and downtrodden places in life in order to do so. The church is not a building to go to, but a people to belong to. Yes, wholeheartedly yes. Community, care, and compassion is needed for all humamity, especially those in lowly places, whether by one's own decision or an outside situation by way of this fallen world. Nobody is ever too far gone. We must care for our neighbors and be in community and serve others with our gifts, and by our love, lead others to repentance of our sins and to a saving belief in Christ. And always, always proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because that is where true transformation and freedom is found.

I started reading this book based on the title. I am always longing for deeper connections in my church community & with other believers I meet along the way. And I also see the importance of branching out beyond the four walls of my comfort zone. As I read this book, there was so much that I appreciated about the author. He is passionate about reaching the "unreachables." He sees those who others might leave on the fringe & invited them in. He has seen the importance of having church communities that aren't afraid to address tough topics like addiction. However, as I read, I realized that his theology is a bit different from traditional, orthodox Christian doctrines. Upon doing a little digging, I found that he is a member of a progressive denomination. That explained why he explained baptism as putting to death your false self & embracing your true self. He also doesn't really mention sin & his explanation of the Gospel is false without it. I so wished that I could recommend this book, but it misses the mark theologically. There are much better books on this topic than this one.