Exvangelical and Beyond, Blake Chastain
Exvangelical and Beyond, Blake Chastain
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Exvangelical and Beyond
How American Christianity Went Radical and the Movement That's Fighting Back

Author: Blake Chastain

Narrator: Blake Chastain

Unabridged: 7 hr 10 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 09/24/2024

Synopsis

A pioneer of the “exvangelical” movement examines how toxic right-wing beliefs took over American Christianity—and why people are leaving the church and speaking out against it

With the rise of Trumpism, the American evangelical movement has more political influence than ever—yet at the same time, people are leaving Christianity in record numbers. Why are so many people walking away from the right-wing religion they were raised in, and what are they doing to overcome the past?

Writer and podcaster Blake Chastain is uniquely positioned to understand this phenomenon. Raised evangelical, he went to a Christian college intending to become a pastor—until he found himself unable to reconcile his faith with the prejudice and even abuse he saw being done in God’s name. He created the popular hashtag #exvangelical and the hit podcast of the same name, and soon became part of a growing movement of people walking away from toxic religion and using the unique tools of the internet to speak out, find healing, and build new communities.

In Exvangelical and Beyond, Chastain delves into evangelicalism’s deep roots in American politics and society, and explains why and how so many Christians—and ex-Christians—are forging a new path online. Blending history, personal narrative, and incisive analysis, this is a must-read for anyone who has left the church, is deconstructing their own faith, or simply wants to understand religious culture in America.

About The Author

Blake Chastain is the host of the podcast Exvangelical, writer of the newsletter The Post-Evangelical Post, and cofounder of Irreverent Media Group, a podcast collective and content network that highlights diverse voices doing work for post/ex-evangelical audiences. In 2016, he started the hashtag #exvangelical, coining what would become a common term for a person who has left evangelical Christianity. Chastain’s work and advocacy have been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Newsweek, VICE, and The New Republic. He lives in Illinois with his wife and daughter.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Edward on September 29, 2024

Outstanding book. A real look into why so many people are leaving......more

Goodreads review by Marcie on September 27, 2024

For me, this book is at the top of its class. I really appreciate Chastain’s exploration of a wide variety of vital questions surrounding evangelicalism. I also value the way that he synthesized multiple academic and historic sources, along with limited personal anecdotes. I absolutely recommend thi......more

Goodreads review by Cindy on February 04, 2025

This book is excellent and a necessary tool for people both in the faith space and who have left. I attended the same college as Chastain and looking back now I see how insane those requirements were. As someone with a ministry degree who has separated from the faith, this encapsulates so much. Chas......more

Goodreads review by Melissa on January 13, 2025

Very well rounded approach to a big topic. I appreciated that he referenced other writers. He connected how so many of us feel when the very people that taught us who Jesus was and is and what He stands for are instead committing to the elevation of Trump that has blatant disregard for human beings.......more

Goodreads review by Marnie on November 02, 2024

Really important book for those trying to understand how the evangelical church has evolved into a political force in the United States and lost its soul in the process. A historical and illuminating look at how the movement has never been quite what it might have appeared to be, offering an explana......more

Quotes

"Highly readable....A timely exploration of evangelicalism’s influence and how former believers find meaning beyond it."
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“An insightful exploration of faith, identity, and activism in a nation at the crossroads of religious fervor and social change...At once alarming and hopeful, this is a book that every American must read, regardless of religious affiliation.”
—Reza Aslan, New York Times bestselling author of Zealot

“Blake Chastain created the #Exvangelical hashtag. In doing so, he created a category in which millions of people now gather, commiserate, heal, and learn. By giving us Exvangelical and Beyond, Chastain continues this legacy....This is more than either a personal history or a scathing polemic. It’s a blueprint of a movement—and a call for change.”
—Bradley Onishi, author of Preparing for War

“In this insightful book, Blake Chastain takes readers on a journey through and beyond evangelical religion as he tries to understand why many people like himself have left the church....His is a valuable study of the decline of evangelicalism, especially in the context of the social media rebellion among young adults that hastened its demise.”
—Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity After Religion and Freeing Jesus

“Chastain has been the thoughtful commentator and mindful observer I have turned to in my often desperate searches online for a counternarrative to American evangelical religiosity that...told me my Black, queer, and trans body had no place in the body of Christ....Blake stands out as a trustworthy narrator of these times....This book, this thinker, and this movement’s story are worth your time, attention, and heart.”
—lenny duncan, author of Dear Church and Dear Revolutionaries

“Chastain offers an impassioned portrait of his experience as a key voice in the ‘exvangelical’ movement....A vital read for this political moment.”
—Katherine Stewart, author of The Power Worshippers

“Well-crafted...whip-smart...If you only read one book about exvangelicals,make it this one.”
—Chrissy Stroop, coeditor of Empty the Pews

“This book is an essential addition to the current conversation about not just evangelicalism but American religion, politics, and culture today.”
—David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer University

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