O Me of Little Faith by Jason Boyett

Reviewed by Dale Lewis

"Although overflowing with brutal confessions, ultimately, this liberating memoir is not that of a spiritual weakling. Boyett is a passionate, believing doubter leading by example."

Like the proverbial elephant in the china closet, faith and doubt aren’t supposed to mix well. They cannot be in the same room. And by all means, don’t speak them out in public. And yet, according to author/blogger Jason Boyett, they should be roommates in our spiritual journey to know God, understand Christianity, and live a Christ-follower’s life. Jason writes in the same conversational style of Matthew Paul Turner using a light-hearted, self-examining humor. They also share a childhood packed full of the Southern Baptist tradition.

Wrestling with doubt is not foreshadowing a misstep into uncertainty or a spiraling descent to losing one’s faith. This book dispels the weak myth that Christians have it all together and never struggle with doubt. With humor and truth, Boyett paints a brilliant portrayal of how intellectual giants e.g. Kierkegarrd, and biblical heroes wrestled with doubt and yet walked by faith. His honesty and transparency is rewardingly refreshing.

Boyett explores the tough spiritual questions with a healthy dose of fear. He adds hilarious footnotes to help clarify any substantial research questions and pique more interest.
In the important (and necessary) chapter “Faith with a Kung Fu Grip” Boyett presents the things he believes with certainty. It was one of the highlights for me, along with Jason’s personal anecdotes.

Although overflowing with brutal confessions, ultimately, this liberating memoir is not that of a spiritual weakling. Boyett is a passionate, believing doubter leading by example. He addresses faith with hopeful and encouraging thoughtfulness.
I could not write a decent review without sharing some of my favorite, engaging quotes: “What if authentic spirituality isn’t an either/or ---- clean or dirty, forgiven or sinful, faithful or doubting? What if it’s all those things at once? What if it’s both/and?”

“We like black-and-white answers to big religious questions, but I’ve discovered that the more I learn about a subject, the more shades of gray come into view.”

“And as an image-conscious, still-sinful person, there’s not a lot inside me to keep me from pretending. Instead I find the best defense against spiritual pretending (and pretension) comes from community.”

While looking through my old childhood photos the other day, my wife mentioned she found one that looked very much like the cover of the book I was reading. Suffice it to say, it does and I was not amused! But I will keep reading Jason Boyett. And so should you!

Dale Lewis now mans the front desk at the EFCA (The Evangelical Free Church of America) National Office in Minneapolis, MN. He was the graphic designer/pre-press production artist for over twelve years before being asked to step into this new role. Prior to that, he was the publications manager at his alma mater, Northwestern College in St. Paul, MN in the public relations office as well as the adviser to the college’s yearbook. He's a director/actor/writer for the Hope Church (Oakdale, MN) adult drama worship team and was the senior editor of the church newsletter. He's also written two collections of poetry, “Whispers of Assurance” and “On Life: Constant Communion Without Ceasing” as well as a devotional entitled “Eternal Education.” He and his family live in Oakdale, Minnesota.