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The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert: An English Professor’s Journey Into Christian Faith by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hardly know where to begin with this book because there are so many layers to it. We could look at it from different perspectives and gain valuable insights from each. For example, this book could be read as a book about conversion in general or conversion of a lesbian feminist in particular. This book could be read as a book about the Christian life–repentance, faith, discipleship, and sanctification. This book could be read as a book about mercy and sacrificial service. This book could be read as a book about hospitality, neighboring, and friendship. This book could be read as a book about adoption, diversity, and outreach. I could go on, but I think by now you are on the business end of the rapier.

With all this, you would think the book to be three times as long as it is, but it isn’t. The chapters are longish by market fads but the number of chapters is few and the overall book is 128 pages. It could be read in one sitting, or at least in a week, a few chunks at a time.

The book’s impact extends far beyond its catalog stats. The author tells the story of her life, focusing on a little over a decade in which she was born again, converted unto Jesus Christ. The narrative is incarnational and compelling. She does not gush. The emotions she feels and incites are deep running. The questions she asks are honest and embarrassing. Her insights and assessments are simple and challenging.

If you are to focus on one theme in reading this book, focus on the meta-theme of God’s grace. This is a story of God’s grace. God’s grace is not safe and tidy. Neither is grace a flat proposition. God’s grace is sharp, piercing, and dividing. Grace wounds and heals, kills and makes alive. Grace is dangerous and violent, but grace is always good and holy. Sin abounds but grace abounds much more. Grace is greater than all our sin. This grace is what we all need.

I highly recommend this book. It is not illicit nor gratuitous, but it is real and honest. Caricature sensibilities will be offended. As she writes in this book, “Rahab the Harlot. Mary Magdalene. We love these women between the pages of our Bible, but we don’t want to sit at the Lord’s Table with them.” Overall, we owe this sister a great debt of gratitude for opening up her home and inviting us in for a while.

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