CHRISTIANITY WITHOUT DOGMA

A prominent business consultant and former evangelical confronts Christianity’s decline in this spiritual book.

Raised in an evangelical home, Bergstrand later joined many so-called “exvangelicals” who remain self-described “conscious Christians” but have deconstructed their prior beliefs. As the former chief information officer for the Coca-Cola Company and a current business transformation consultant whose previous books centered on reinventing corporate cultures, the author blends his spiritual journey with his practical know-how on upending antiquated and toxic traditions. To Bergstrand, Christianity has not only failed to engage with young people, but many who had been part of the faith have also “experienced significant personal trauma from Christian churches” that foster a climate where misogynistic, racist, and homophobic ideas thrive. Moreover, as voices of reform are either pushed out or abandon ship, churches are becoming even more “radicalized” as their conservative leadership and membership “double down” in their extreme ideologies. As one who still finds comfort in Jesus’ teachings on love and selflessness, the author embraces a “Jesus-Centric” brand of Christianity that takes on traditional Christian dogmas on topics ranging from gender and sexuality to individualism and scriptural literalism. Just as Jesus challenged the hypocritical religious leadership of his era, so, too, does Bergstrand call for a “reframing” of Christianity to a religion that is less “attached to concepts” and is “connected to people.” Written in an accessible style that is intimately familiar with the niche vocabulary of evangelical culture, this book effectively blends astute analysis with revealing anecdotes from disillusioned Christians and utilizes ample survey data. Text-box vignettes, charts, and a glossary enhance the volume’s engaging narrative. Though the work is ecumenical in its critiques, targeting not only evangelicals, but also Roman Catholic and mainline churches, it ironically centers on White institutions as the face of Christianity. Very little is mentioned of how African American churches or the ever growing Catholic and charismatic churches of Africa and Asia fit into the book’s critiques. Many of these churches fill in a gray area that rejects certain elements of White Christian culture while embracing the religion’s traditional dogmas.

A well-argued case for Christian reform that lacks diverse voices.