Wholehearted Faith

By: Rachel Held Evans, Jeff Chu

Narrated by: Daniel Jonce Evans, Jeff Chu, Jamie Wright, Sarah Bessey, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Kristen Howerton, Kaitlin Curtice, Amanda Held Opelt, Neichelle R. Guidry, Candice Marie Benbow, Kathy Khang, Wil Gafney, Amena Brown

Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Discover the new collection of original writings by Rachel Held Evans, whose reflections on faith and life continue to encourage, challenge, and influence, lovingly performed by Daniel Jonce Evans, Jeff Chu, Jamie Wright, Sarah Bessey, Nadia Bolz-Weber, Kristen Howerton, Kaitlin Curtice, Amanda Held Opelt, Rev. Neichelle R. Guidry, PhD, Candice Marie Benbow, Kathy Khang, the Rev. Wil Gafney, PhD, and Amena Brown.  

Rachel Held Evans is widely recognized for her theologically astute, profoundly honest, and beautifully personal books, which have guided, instructed, edified, and shaped Christians as they seek to live out a just and loving faith.

At the time of her tragic death in 2019, Rachel was working on a new book about wholeheartedness. With the help of her close friend and author Jeff Chu, that work-in-progress has been woven together with some of her other unpublished writings into a rich collection of essays that ask candid questions about the stories we’ve been told - and the stories we tell - about our faith, our selves, and our world.

This book is for the doubter and the dreamer, the seeker and the sojourner, those who long for a sense of spiritual wholeness as well as those who have been hurt by the Church but can’t seem to let go of the story of Jesus. Through theological reflection and personal recollection, Rachel wrestles with God’s grace and love, looks unsparingly at what the Church is and does, and explores universal human questions about becoming and belonging. An unforgettable, moving, and intimate book.

©2021 Rachel Held Evans (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Orthodox but Boundary Pushing

She's not wrong. This is a voice we will miss. A voice we need to hear. Trinitarian through and through. Nicene orthodox too. Yet, uncertain and broken, Evans pushes us to think of what it means to bring our whole selves to God, rather than the polished version we think God wants to see. much like Hannah, she pours out her whole being in these words and encourages us to do the same.

You may not agree with her and you may be right. But she's not wrong. She's humble and bound to scripture and orthodoxy. Listen to her. Don't follow without question. Just listen. Know you are loved. Listen.

powerful and poignant

This book is for anyone who has ever doubt their faith, questioned the church or sought out a deeper meaning of Christianity. With themes of belonging and inclusiveness, Rachel Held Evans reminds of the God you fell in love with, the that shows acceptance, compassion and unconditional love. This book reminds that you worthy of love and are called to love others.

lovely

The social research of Brené Brown meets the theological storytelling of Rachel Held Evans. Familiarity with Brown's work is helpful, but not necessary, as Evans explores Brown's "wholeheartedness" within a Christian framework.

An amazing read (or listen in this case)!

This book was beautiful, encouraging, healing, thought-provoking, and life-giving. I loved the audio version because a wonderful group of people who knew and loved Rachel read portions of the book. It felt like a community experience celebrating this amazing woman’s life, curious and brilliant mind, loving heart, and commitment to truth and her faith. I highly recommend this book, and in particular the audiobook!

Words I needed to hear

This is the first of her books I've read / listened to. This is helping me to work through my own questions about my faith and is helping to change my own negative view of myself due to a similar upbringing. It's a good book.

I’ll come back to this one, again and again

I’m not sure how Rachel did it, but she had a way of reaching into the heart by simply telling the truth of her own experience and observations. That truth just happens to resonate in a way that little else I’ve read does. Thank you for all of you who worked so hard to make this book happen; it is a treasure box that I will open again and again. My heart is greatly moved, but my mind is also challenged. Once again, thank you Rachel Held Evans.

Fantastic!

I miss her writing and her blogs. It’s so great to have this final book and her final thoughts.

There goes Rachel, always bringing back my faith

Loved hearing Rachel’s words read by her village, to hear God’s love spoken through those who walked alongside her in this journey of doubt, wisdom, and truth seeking justice.

I will come back to this, to continue to learn. Jesus is still using Rachel for those of us who struggle to understand that Jesus LOVES us. All of us. Me. Unconditionally. He uses her to remind me who to show up when it’s uncomfortable.

Thank you to those who helped put this together so beautifully.

Exactly what my heart needed

Oh my goodness. This book was amazing. Rachel’s way with words combined with insight into Scripture is refreshing and freeing. I will be listening to this book again and again to let it soak in. What a beautiful tribute to the late author, to have her close friends and family read chapters. The whole thing was wonderful.

A bittersweet finale

The friends of RHE who have truly given her words life. As a longtime RHE it was bittersweet to read her familiar wit and hear her friends narrate her proudly yet simple truth. She has truly inspired a generation to love all God’s children. And to make sure that their “loving” looks like Jesus.

Wonderful way to share this beautiful book

My first ever audiobook.. could not have been better. I laughed, cried, and loved it.