by Kristyn Proctor
Copy Editor
“What I’ve always envisioned is that hell was physical, but I’ve kind of gone back and forth and now that I know more…I don’t know, it could be more of a sense of separation from God or maybe even both,” junior Amanda Carpenter said from freshman Michelle Guzman’s place on the bed at 1 a.m.
Guzman looked unconvinced.
“But, again, why would God leave someone in that eternal damnation? That’s horrible suffering and it’s forever. I have always thought of Him like a father…. I think God makes a way for people to receive salvation, even in hell,” she said firmly.
The week of midterms is an unusual time to be asking “the Big Questions” about eternity and religion, but late night study sessions and the panicked production of essays hasn’t halted discussions provoked by Rachel Held Evans’ book of spiritual memoires, “Evolving in Monkey Town.”
Evans, daughter of Bryan professor Dr. Peter Held and 2003 graduate, caused a stir in the evangelical community after Zondervan released her autobiography in June telling of her struggles with belief and how she eventually brought her faith and liberal leanings to terms.
While evangelical leaders like Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Ken Ham, president and CEO of Answers in Genesis, have come out against some of the conclusions expressed in “Monkey Town,” Evans stated in her blog that it’s not the disagreements that matter.
“We can disagree on the age of the earth and still have peace with one another, for at the end of the day we can affirm together that Christ has died, Christ has risen and Christ will come again. I would gladly break the bread of communion with both of these men, and I can only hope that they feel the same way about me,” she said. (http://rachelheldevans.com/)
Interestingly, neither Carpenter nor Guzman has read the entire book, but both say it has already caused discussion in and out of the classroom.
“I’ve heard a lot about it,” Carpenter said. “It’s definitely on my reading list.”
Faculty and staff are also engaging in Evans’ work, with bookstore manager Tami Tullberg making the book available for purchase here on campus, and Dr. Steve Bradshaw of the psychology department planning to use the book in his lecture material for Childhood Growth and Development.
“There’s a difference between questioning God and questioning your perceptions of God,” Bradshaw said. “What she wrote is an honest story from the heart. Personally, I hope to see her speak in chapel one day.”
Dr. Held also says he has never questioned that his daughter would find her way through doubt to the other side.
“People ask me that a lot, and you know it was never hard on me,” he said with a smile. “I knew all along her faith would survive. I’m really proud of it…I’m proud of her.”
The college has not announced an official position on the book, though Evans does describe several people, places and events, students and faculty will be familiar with and not all in a positive light. However, Ben Williams, director of worldview formation and Evans’ friend who copy-edited the proposal for “Monkey Town,” said he believes the book has many helpful and honest insights.
“It’s difficult for me to comment…being so close to both sides of the issue. But…understanding a Christian worldview means we shouldn’t be afraid of ideas. The whole goal of education is learning to engage ideas that we disagree with and ask better questions.”
Williams also warns, though, that readers should remain critical just as they would with any author.
“I’d want my students to do the same with me. But more than anything this is a book about doubt, and Rachel leaves it so her audience is welcome to disagree. Whether we agree or disagree with her conclusions, [reading] it can be immensely helpful for some, and I am not afraid of the doubting process. I think we should embrace the journey.”