Hello friends! It’s been a great book release week for Testimony. The responses to the book have been incredible. I’m going to include a few of those below. I am truly grateful that anyone would read the book. NPR aired a segment on the book Tuesday. There are plans for a longer segment in May as well. Rolling Stone published
Also have heard you speak of epistemic humility a lot. Thought you would appreciate this article that was just published today at The Conversation site.
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What Socrates’ ‘know nothing’ wisdom can teach a polarized America -- The most important part of knowledge, in Socrates’ view? Knowing how much you don’t know.
I finished your book in three evenings—I thoroughly enjoyed it! I appreciate the candor in your faith journey. The historical and political connections with Evangelicalism helped fill in some gaps for me, too, since living in Europe and primarily not wanting to engage in American politics left a few holes in my awareness. The familial conversations were difficult but relatable. I appreciate the transparency and vulnerability there too.
After reading your conversations with family members, I thought of quote from Bert Hellinger's book Love's Hidden Symmetry:
"The So-called 'Black Sheep' of the family are, in fact, seekers of liberation roads for the family tree. Those members of the tree who do not adapt to the rules or traditions of the family system, those who were constantly seeking to revolutionize beliefs, going in contrast to roads marked by family traditions, those criticized, tried and even rejected, those, in general, they are called to release the tree of repetitive stories that frustrate entire generations.
The 'Black Sheep', those who do not adapt, those who scream, rebel, repair, detoxify and create a new and blooming branch… countless unfulfilled desires, unfulfilled dreams, frustrated talents of our ancestors manifest themselves in their rebellion looking to take place.
The family tree, by inertia, will want to continue to maintain the castrating and toxic course of its trunk, which makes its task difficult and conflicting… that no one makes you doubt, take care of your 'rarity' as the most precious flower of Your Tree.
As a parent who has lots of guilt after raising their kids in this (a milder version,) thank you for writing this book. Lots of healing still to take place! I also appreciate the measured tone of the book thus far.
The piece on Rod Dreher is ... wow!
Also have heard you speak of epistemic humility a lot. Thought you would appreciate this article that was just published today at The Conversation site.
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What Socrates’ ‘know nothing’ wisdom can teach a polarized America -- The most important part of knowledge, in Socrates’ view? Knowing how much you don’t know.
https://theconversation.com/what-socrates-know-nothing-wisdom-can-teach-a-polarized-america-202696
Great!!
I finished your book in three evenings—I thoroughly enjoyed it! I appreciate the candor in your faith journey. The historical and political connections with Evangelicalism helped fill in some gaps for me, too, since living in Europe and primarily not wanting to engage in American politics left a few holes in my awareness. The familial conversations were difficult but relatable. I appreciate the transparency and vulnerability there too.
After reading your conversations with family members, I thought of quote from Bert Hellinger's book Love's Hidden Symmetry:
"The So-called 'Black Sheep' of the family are, in fact, seekers of liberation roads for the family tree. Those members of the tree who do not adapt to the rules or traditions of the family system, those who were constantly seeking to revolutionize beliefs, going in contrast to roads marked by family traditions, those criticized, tried and even rejected, those, in general, they are called to release the tree of repetitive stories that frustrate entire generations.
The 'Black Sheep', those who do not adapt, those who scream, rebel, repair, detoxify and create a new and blooming branch… countless unfulfilled desires, unfulfilled dreams, frustrated talents of our ancestors manifest themselves in their rebellion looking to take place.
The family tree, by inertia, will want to continue to maintain the castrating and toxic course of its trunk, which makes its task difficult and conflicting… that no one makes you doubt, take care of your 'rarity' as the most precious flower of Your Tree.
You are the dream of all your ancestors”
As a parent who has lots of guilt after raising their kids in this (a milder version,) thank you for writing this book. Lots of healing still to take place! I also appreciate the measured tone of the book thus far.