Trusting Doubt: A Former Evangelical Looks at Old Beliefs in a New Light

Most Evangelical Christians earnestly strive to worship the God of Love and Truth. But a belief that the Bible is literally perfect can put them in the odd position of defending falsehood, bigotry, and even violence. What do Evangelicals believe? And how do these beliefs subvert humanity's shared moral values, including the compassionate ministry of Jesus in the New Testament? Is the Good Book even good, given its historical inaccuracies, scientific impossibilities, and moral contradictions? Trusting Doubt answers all these questions ... and more. It also provides a clear picture of this variant of Christianity which has risen to political prominence at a spiritual cost. Raised in a staunch fundamentalist family and educated at Wheaton College - home of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelicalism - Valerie Tarico speaks as a former insider. She offers alternative biblical, social, and scientific explanations that are compatible with contemporary Christianity, interfaith understanding, and non-theism. Gratefully, Tarico's unique voice as a former Evangelical provides a scholarly yet accessible path away from fundamentalism and toward spiritual clarity - a journey based on logic, love, and the quest for truth. [Revised edition of: The Dark Side © 2006]