Why Being Yourself Is a Bad Idea
And Other Countercultural Notions
A book for those seeking to make sense of life - and not afraid to go against the grain
In stock
ISBN-13
9780281081790-grouped
From £11.99
Graham Tomlin is Bishop of Kensington in London UK, and President of St Mellitus College. He taught theology within Oxford University, specialising in the Reformation period. He was Dean of St Mellitus College which is now one of the largest Anglican theological colleges in the world. He is the author of many books and articles, including Looking through the Cross (the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2014), and Bound to be Free: The Paradox of Freedom.
I kept saying “YES!” as I turned the pages of this book. Again and again Graham Tomlin puts his finger on things I’ve struggled with both personally and professionally. He has a rare ability to make confusing things clear and complex things simple. Being Yourself pulls no punches. It gets right to the root of the Western psychosis, offering an ancient, time-tested, more hopeful alternative that rings deeply true.
Most books about religion are boring. This one isn't. It is intriguing and provocative, speaking to our deepest concerns and heaviest questions. In beautiful prose, and with a wide range of reference, Graham Tomlin unpacks a whole world . . . and it is a spacious and attractive one. This exposition of faith in the twenty-first century arrives at a simplicity the far side of complexity. The book is a real gift.
Tomlin does a fine job in finding a simple structure in which weighty theological conundrums can be tackled without defence or triumph.
This book presents Christianity in a fresh way for the times.
One of the best, most honest, most theologically grounded and therefore most practically helpful books on evangelism to have come out in recent years.
A refreshingly honest book from a theologian who clearly knows that most of society doesn’t think the way the church does, and wants to do something about it.
Here we have a gripping (even exciting) new approach to priesthood . . . almost every page is rich with biblical, theological, historical and practical wisdom – to be read, considered, and then read again!
About
Most people just want to be happy and to make a difference in the world.
We're often told we'll achieve this by being ourselves - but when we begin to reflect, that's not quite as simple as it sounds. All sorts of questions and countercultural notions arise. Maybe trying to 'be yourself' is not such a good idea after all?
In this book Graham Tomlin dares us to let go of some of the assumptions we make about life. Drawing on current research, contemporary events and ancient wisdom, he offers an invitation to journey to places we may never have imagined before. In doing so, he vividly reveals how the revolution that Christianity began can still make remarkable sense of our experience of wonder, love, evil, justice, identity and freedom.
Exploring these universal experiences in a down to earth, easy to read manner, Why Being Yourself is a Bad Idea is a book for anyone struggling with the search for identity and self-discovery, and will leave you uplifted and reassured that seeking God can and will help you to make sense of life.
'Intriguing and provocative, speaking to our deepest concerns and heaviest questions.'
James Mumford, author of Vexed: Ethics beyond political tribes
'I kept saying "YES!" as I turned the pages of this book.'
Pete Greig, author of How to Pray
We're often told we'll achieve this by being ourselves - but when we begin to reflect, that's not quite as simple as it sounds. All sorts of questions and countercultural notions arise. Maybe trying to 'be yourself' is not such a good idea after all?
In this book Graham Tomlin dares us to let go of some of the assumptions we make about life. Drawing on current research, contemporary events and ancient wisdom, he offers an invitation to journey to places we may never have imagined before. In doing so, he vividly reveals how the revolution that Christianity began can still make remarkable sense of our experience of wonder, love, evil, justice, identity and freedom.
Exploring these universal experiences in a down to earth, easy to read manner, Why Being Yourself is a Bad Idea is a book for anyone struggling with the search for identity and self-discovery, and will leave you uplifted and reassured that seeking God can and will help you to make sense of life.
'Intriguing and provocative, speaking to our deepest concerns and heaviest questions.'
James Mumford, author of Vexed: Ethics beyond political tribes
'I kept saying "YES!" as I turned the pages of this book.'
Pete Greig, author of How to Pray
Resources
Author
Graham Tomlin is Bishop of Kensington in London UK, and President of St Mellitus College. He taught theology within Oxford University, specialising in the Reformation period. He was Dean of St Mellitus College which is now one of the largest Anglican theological colleges in the world. He is the author of many books and articles, including Looking through the Cross (the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2014), and Bound to be Free: The Paradox of Freedom.
Reviews
I kept saying “YES!” as I turned the pages of this book. Again and again Graham Tomlin puts his finger on things I’ve struggled with both personally and professionally. He has a rare ability to make confusing things clear and complex things simple. Being Yourself pulls no punches. It gets right to the root of the Western psychosis, offering an ancient, time-tested, more hopeful alternative that rings deeply true.
Most books about religion are boring. This one isn't. It is intriguing and provocative, speaking to our deepest concerns and heaviest questions. In beautiful prose, and with a wide range of reference, Graham Tomlin unpacks a whole world . . . and it is a spacious and attractive one. This exposition of faith in the twenty-first century arrives at a simplicity the far side of complexity. The book is a real gift.
Tomlin does a fine job in finding a simple structure in which weighty theological conundrums can be tackled without defence or triumph.
This book presents Christianity in a fresh way for the times.
One of the best, most honest, most theologically grounded and therefore most practically helpful books on evangelism to have come out in recent years.
A refreshingly honest book from a theologian who clearly knows that most of society doesn’t think the way the church does, and wants to do something about it.
Here we have a gripping (even exciting) new approach to priesthood . . . almost every page is rich with biblical, theological, historical and practical wisdom – to be read, considered, and then read again!
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We're often told we'll achieve this by being ourselves - but when we begin to reflect, that's not quite as simple as it sounds. All sorts of questions and countercultural notions arise. Maybe trying to 'be yourself' is not such a good idea after all?
In this book Graham Tomlin dares us to let go of some of the assumptions we make about life. Drawing on current research, contemporary events and ancient wisdom, he offers an invitation to journey to places we may never have imagined before. In doing so, he vividly reveals how the revolution that Christianity began can still make remarkable sense of our experience of wonder, love, evil, justice, identity and freedom.
Exploring these universal experiences in a down to earth, easy to read manner, Why Being Yourself is a Bad Idea is a book for anyone struggling with the search for identity and self-discovery, and will leave you uplifted and reassured that seeking God can and will help you to make sense of life.
'Intriguing and provocative, speaking to our deepest concerns and heaviest questions.'
James Mumford, author of Vexed: Ethics beyond political tribes
'I kept saying "YES!" as I turned the pages of this book.'
Pete Greig, author of How to Pray