Patheos Book Club: “Vulnerable Faith” by Jamie Arpin-Ricci

Last updated on: March 6, 2015 at 5:20 pm by Guest Contributor

Patheos Book Club: “Vulnerable Faith” by Jamie Arpin-Ricci 2015-03-06T17:20:52-05:00 Guest Contributor

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by Wendi Matusic

“Vulnerable Faith” by Jamie Arpin-Ricci is a fascinating look at how we cover our personal truths with pretense and in doing so we keep ourselves from full relationships with others, community, creation and God.

Using the life of St Patrick and the famous “12 Step Program” had no obvious logic to me at first, however the manner in which the author weaves a saint’s life, a recovery program, vulnerability and faith together is both brilliant and unsettling. Brilliant in that it plainly outlines what is required for transformation through and beyond the cross of Christ, yet unsettling when we see the author’s path to do so. A genuine inventory of our failings and brokenness brings with it the vulnerability we all so deeply fear, yet the case is solid for the need to do so if we are to find the salvation and authentic relationship with God that we seek.

This book did a wonderful job of exposing the ways in which so many people present themselves as they wish to be seen when that is not a true or genuine path. When emphasis is placed on moral and behavioral perfection as a demonstration of faith, people create the pretense of meeting that standard. As the author shows, however, “the most compelling witness to our faith can be a willingness to humbly accept responsibility for our failings and seek to restore relationships at any cost.”

I found the writing to be both direct and kind. The author acknowledges that each of us has our wounds and shame that we so deeply fear being exposed, but shows us that those same fears can be our path out of fear and toward hope and resurrection. The emphasis on community shows us we are not alone in our relationship with Christ which goes far beyond individual devotion.

I found this book to be inspiring, humbling and above all thought provoking.

Review by Wendi Matusic

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Jamie Arpin-Ricci

Vulnerable Faith

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