Preface

If you picked up this book looking for an objective analysis of Christianity or an unbiased interpretation of the Bible, there are a few things you probably should know first.

People tell me I exaggerate.

I tend to change my mind.

The Stuff White People Like blog is painfully representative of my lifestyle and habits.

I’ve never lived north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Sometimes I assume that attractive women are dumb.

I’ve been hurt by Christians.

As a Christian, I’ve been hurtful.

Even though I voted for the winner of the last three elections, I’ve managed to feel politically marginalized each time.

I cried for an hour when I found out Tim Russert died.

I’m judgmental of people I think are judgmental.

At twenty-seven, I’m probably too young to write a memoir.

I almost always root for the underdog, and sometimes I get the feeling that God does too.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m not exactly an impartial observer. My culture, my childhood, my gender, my prejudices, my hopes, my imagination, my virtues, and my vices — these things color my view of the world and infuse it with meaning. I’ve got baggage just like everyone else, and it’s as much a part of my faith journey as the high peaks, the low valleys, and the long, lovely stretches of road that I wish could go on forever.

I’m a lot of things, but fair and balanced I am not.

So now that you know what you’re getting into, read on.