Book Review | The Exvangelicals by Sarah McCammon

The Exvangelicals by Sarah McCammon is hands down going to be one of my favorite books for this year. If you've ever experienced disillusion from the white American Christian church, then you will relate to McCammon's raw, personal story of growing up in the evangelical sphere and eventually her departure from it.

McCammon bravely shares about her childhood growing up in an evangelical community as well as her family relationships and how that has affected her outlook on life and the church. She was raised in a solidly conservative Christian home and attended Christian school from elementary through undergrad. It wasn't until she became older and more aware in the world that she realized her experience of reality did not match what her fundamentalist Christian faith taught her.

This book includes many interviews with others who have had similar encounters with the church in America and how it has shaped their lives. I listened to the audiobook, and it listens very much like a journalistic podcast, which I enjoyed. McCammon did her research and provided some history about the evangelical church sprinkled throughout the book, too.

I personally related to this book as someone who has experienced the disillusion with church that erupted in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election, responses to COVID, and the evangelical church's staunch defense and support of Donald Trump. I, too, have been forced to revisit my values and beliefs, especially those that were molded out of a Christian fundamentalist, biblical literalist theology that I just don't think holds up under scrutiny. It is uncanny how similar McCammon's childhood and life story are to mine. I commend her for her bravery in sharing such personal details as well as for her diligence in researching and writing this much needed piece. Anyone who is going through a similar crisis of faith will appreciate her take and feel seen when they read The Exvangelicals by Sarah McCammon.