Recently, I listened to the audio book, Soul Boom: Why We Need a Spiritual Revolution, written and read by Rainn Wilson. I loved the book so much I wanted to write a review and response from a Christian perspective.

First, I am not sure I can adequately express how impressed I was by Rainn’s rigorous research, handling of tough questions, and overall expansiveness of thought and reasoning in this deceptively small book. It is very, very good. To be honest, and this says something about me perhaps, I kept thinking: “I wish a Christian would have written this book.”

Alas, as I listened to the audio book, I have no quotes in this review.

In addition to the book, I listened to these podcasts to hear more of Rainn’s thinking:
The Holy Post Episode 565 — The interview with Rainn starts at 43:14.
Metaphysical Milkshake — Rainn and Reza explore his new book.
Almost Heretical, July 19, 2023 — Rainn Wilson: Spirituality and the Meaning of Life.

I encourage you to listen to these as well to whet your appetite for the book.

An Overview and Review

Rainn describes his own book as “practical tools for personal and societal transformation.” This is the theme woven throughout—a spirituality that impacts one personally, but can’t stop there if it is to be effective. It must also work out into social change for the betterment of human society and human flourishing. Using two favorite old TV shows as examples, Kung Fu (personal transformation) and Star Trek (social progress), Rainn lays out these guideposts for the book that follows.

Written during COVID 19 lockdowns, he addresses other pandemics facing humankind; corruption and ineffectiveness of human institutions, climate crisis, poverty, loneliness, etc. These are inarguable. The question is: How do we solve them? This is where a spiritual transformation comes in. Though not anti-science, Rainn is arguing for more than a purely naturalistic view of life. He wants a renewed connection to the divine and spiritual transformation. But we have our work cut out for us. The rise of the Nones (those with no religious affiliation) as the current largest “religious group” in America, is one example. As Rainn says, “We have thrown out the spiritual baby with the religious bathwater.” As the word religion means “to bind,” perhaps we have lost the very thing that holds us together. Our social collapse points to that realization.

In a touching yet humorous story, Rainn finds himself hustling through Target trying to find a bowl or vessel worthy of holding the water to wash his deceased father. While washing his father, he becomes acutely aware, this is not him. Whatever made his dad him is not here. The spirit or soul has moved on. He wants us to recognize we are spiritual beings having a human experience. There is more to us than what we see. How are we cultivating that part of us that moves on after we die?

He goes on to discuss questions about God, the biggest human question, in a chapter called the Notorious G.O.D. He also takes a journey through First Nations religion with its emphasis on The Great Spirit or Creator which names God as the Great Mystery. As Rainn rediscovered his own faith, the spirituality of First Nations peoples was an aid and teacher. It should be for all of us. As a quick aside, I am fond and appreciative of Terry Wildman’s work in creating a First Nations translation of the Bible where he also uses these terms for God. It is fantastic and incredible and a beautiful gift for First Nations peoples, but also to the rest of us. The Great Mystery encapsulates an idea of God that resonates with many. Me included. In a favorite song by All Sons and Daughters, referring to God, they sing: “You are most hidden, yet always with us.” That’s it right there.

Rainn addresses what some have called steel-man arguments (as opposed to straw-man arguments). He takes on the best arguments of atheists and agnostics and answers them in a humble, clarifying way. The reader may not be convinced, but one cannot also say there is no answer. This includes Stephen Fry’s infamous response if he were to ever meet God of “How dare you!”

The book is communicated in a humble, compassionate and empathetic tone. And why not? As a follower of the Baha’i faith, Rainn sees value in all the major religions and religious figures throughout history. The myriad of pertinent and powerful quotes from all major religious figures is an example of this. He attempts to coalesce all of these great teachings into something we all can agree on; love for others, service, gathering in community, eating together, etc. He wants us to adopt spiritual practices like prayer and contemplation and pilgrimage that will add depth and meaning to our lives. He also points out there seems to be a chasm between those who pray (a more “conservative” practice), and those who practice meditation or contemplation (a more “liberal” practice). I hadn’t thought of that before, but it rings true. I agree that we need both. I have found great value in my life by practicing both.

In another chapter, Rainn creates a religion called the Soul Boom religion. I did not find this chapter as meaningful, and I think that’s OK as he isn’t actually trying to found a new religion. I believe he wants us to recognize the best that religion has to offer. To move us away from infighting to remember what we are supposed to be about, what we say we are about, but seem to have forgotten.

There is a lot to like here. I have no argument. Or do I…

A Christian Response

I actually don’t.

In the 21st Century, as we move further into a post-Christian culture in America, being spiritual but not religious is a motto I have heard many times. I hope Christians do not read this book to develop an apologetic to combat this budding “spirituality.” Instead, I hope we truly learn and allow this to help reorient us to something viable. To overstate my goal, I am writing a response or reaction to the book, not a critique of it’s message. It was good, made me think, and here are some of those thoughts.

Before I dive into some nit-picky stuff about Christianity, let me acknowledge that there Is a lot of suffering and pain out here. I know so many Christians who have been devastated by abusive behavior in the church and do not ever want to go again. It feels endemic to Christianity today. This book can help bring some guidance to those who need to shake off some deconstruction debris and reconnect with their spiritual selves. I trust the Good Shepherd will be with them the whole way.

Many Christians, who don’t make the headlines, are faithfully serving God and others with little splash or controversy. I know this is true. It is also true that many of the loudest voices and churches have fallen into a pragmatic, corporate growth model that all but ignores spirituality, or they have capitulated into a Christian Nationalism as a way to exert power in our society to return us to a fantasy.
While the existence of the latter should not make us forget the former, we should also be aware that these loud voices are exerting influence into almost all of our churches. They are the most prolific creators of discipleship materials, worship songs, and sermons and they have shaped western Christianity into what it is today. I see a pandemic level of greed, consumerism, division, racism, misogyny, climate denial, and general, all-around selfishness infecting our churches. We look like American culture as opposed to salt and light (again, not forgetting the former above).

There is a better way and that is why so much of what Rainn is writing rings true.

We should recognize in Rainn’s guideposts of personal and societal transformation a familiar refrain: “Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength; and your neighbor as yourself.” This includes both inward transformation oriented towards God and social transformation oriented towards others. This is the sum of the law and prophets. This is in our DNA. We should agree with this easily. But, alas, blind guides have led us into a pit.

The Protestant Dilemma

Most of us know the account of Martin Luther’s realization of justification by faith, not works. After striving and agonizing effort to confess every sin, to do every good deed; Luther was exhausted and riddled with anxiety. Reading Romans, he realized that Abraham was justified by faith, not by constant religious activity (aka works). Galatians makes a similar argument about how adding works to the Gospel is not the Gospel. This became a major point of departure between the reformers and their Catholic “antagonists.”

Today, those who stand in the reformed tradition, and Lutheran tradition (to a lesser degree, I suppose, as I have met fewer), decry anything smelling of works righteousness for a simple and pure salvation of grace through faith. One sees it in those of the Reformed tradition going after the Social Gospel as works righteousness. To them it is a Gospel issue to never place a demand on us to do anything for anyone else or we are doing “works” and adding to salvation by faith. Even though for Paul — in Galatians it’s very clear — works are the works of Torah observance, in today’s protestant dilemma works are any good act of service that I do for others. Don’t miss that point — we’ve expanded laying aside Torah observance as a requirement for belonging into the community of Jesus to laying aside the idea that the Gospel includes any good work of service for others. This is the pit. It’s an individual piety that chooses not to be my brother’s keeper. This Christianity cannot say anything about Rainn’s pandemics. To say the Gospel addresses these pandemics is to add works.

• If the gospel is only faith then it doesn’t say anything about climate change
• If the gospel is only faith then it doesn’t say anything about racism.
• If the gospel is only faith then it doesn’t say anything about misogyny.

…and the list goes on.

But is this good theology?

Obviously not. Allow me a few quick passages to make this point, though I could spend a lot of time here. Consider this passage from Ephesians 2:8, 9 that is often cited by those who think any good work is adding to the Gospel of faith. It’s a strong case for them:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

That’s”s pretty clear, right?? Well, what if we keep reading to verse 10?

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

If we were created by God to do good works, we ought to do them. As some have said, though we are not saved by good works, we are saved for good works. Indeed, my Greek interlinear translates the end of this verse as “in them we should walk.” In good works we should walk. Period.

The reformers also made a big deal about Scripture Alone —that scripture, not tradition or reason, is our only guide. One often hears 2 Timothy 3:16 cited as the ultimate passage that tells us what scripture is:

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 

Again, let’s look further in the passage to one more verse:

…so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

The purpose of scripture is clear here — it equips us for good works. We don’t read scripture for knowledge, though that is important. We read scripture and learn from it because then we are equipped for good works. That’s the whole point.

As the body is dead without the spirit, so faith without works is dead. (James 2:26)
God will repay each person according to what they have done. (Romans 2:6)
We are God’s fellow workers… (1 Cor 3:9)

So much more I can say about this, but if your Gospel cannot get to “love your neighbor as yourself” (aka societal transformation) because of an understanding of what someone said 500 years ago, you have a truncated Gospel. Although I understand I am being simplistic in this argument and response, it is a silly position that is being advocated by many. Of course, I understand that the pendulum swings both directions. We are not just what we do. We are not productivity machines. While acknowledging that, we should be joining with God as fellow-workers in re-creating this world.

Rainn’s religion is better than where these blind guides have led us. There. I said it. As Christians, we have in our tradition and in our scripture a better way than where we are today. If it takes a follower of Baha’i to point that out, so be it.

What about Exclusivity?

I believe a major concern (the major concern) many Christians would have with this book is Rainn’s Baha’i faith which acknowledges Jesus as a divine teacher, but not the Son of God in a unique way. He also asserts that there are many ways to God, and the important thing is that we are on the journey more than which path we take. Many won’t be able to see past the trees to grok the forest. I imagine most Christian reviews of this book will argue against the Baha’i faith rather than substantively dealing with Rainn’s content. I get it.

Speaking for all Christianity here… as Christians; however, we most definitely see in Jesus exclusive claims — only He is the way the truth and the life and the path to the Father, only His name must be confessed as Lord, only He is the perfect representation of who God is.

There are 2 main points I want to make in this section about the exclusive claims of Christianity:

1. I would agree with these exclusive claims, but want to add some clarity.
2. Rejecting Institutional Christianity and the church, as many are doing, is not the same thing as rejecting Jesus.

Point 1
Consider Jesus’ teaching on the Sheep and the Goats found in Matthew 25:31–46. I believe these verses are teaching us how those who never heard the Gospel will be judged. Jesus says that all the nations will be gathered to him. These are the gentile nations who have not had the benefit of direct revelation of God. Notice here that both the righteous and the unrighteous do not know who Jesus is. The righteous were not doing acts of service for Jesus; yet, they too will be judged as righteous and enter eternal life having never known Jesus on earth.

Consider Jesus startling statement in John 10:16 — I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.

Consider Paul’s teaching in Romans 1 that God’s glory is evident in creation so that even those who did not have direct knowledge of God’s revelation are also without excuse Romans 1:20. I take this to mean that God can be found in creation (I see this in First Nations peoples worship of a creator, for example). To travel the good road or path is not dissimilar to the way of Jesus.

When I was younger, we were taught that Satan mixes a little truth in with his lies. This is why we find some truth in “pagan” cultures or other world religions. Today, I prefer to think of God always at work always revealing Himself to every people group and every person. Yes, from a biblical point of view, He chose Israel to be His people to receive His direct revelation. I’m not arguing against that. I am also saying that He has revealed Himself in Creation, and many cultures and world religions have caught a glimpse of Him there. There He is found as the Great Mystery or the Unknowable Essence. I would assert that God’s full revelation is found in the person of Jesus. Some will discover that, according to Matthew 25, at the judgement. As Jesus is the fulfillment of the hopes and dreams of Israel, so He is the fulfillment of the hopes and dreams of all peoples of the earth. This is the Good News — Jesus is who you have waited for. Jesus is the ultimate good and is inviting you now to taste of His Kingdom and enter into His rest.

If I am not being clear, perhaps this idea from The Last Battle, the final book in the Narnia series by CS Lewis will help. If you remember Emeth has tried to serve Tash faithfully all his life. He finds himself in Heaven meeting Aslan, not Tash. Aslan informs him that every good deed he did in the name of Tash was actually done for him. One cannot do good in the name of Tash, because good belongs to Aslan. Though Emeth thought he was serving Tash, he wasn’t. Pure motives and good deeds belonged to Aslan. In the same manner, if CSL’s point isn’t obvious, pure motives and good deeds always belong to God. Again, I think this is the principle behind the judgments in Matthew 25.

I guess all I am really saying is that the Bible gives us space to believe that God is at work in the world and we can learn and grow from others and the light shown to them. We don’t have a corner on the market of truth. I’m encouraging us to be humble and approach others with a desire to learn. After all, those of us who believe we have received God’s revelation in a fuller way, how are we living? (also Paul’s point in Romans).

Point 2
I am leery of exclusive claims when I know the church has misrepresented God so thoroughly. In fact, I have often thought, if Christianity is true, why do we see so few Christians that actually look like Jesus?

I have been aware of a lot of talk about deconstruction in the last few years. Yes, please deconstruct from a Western Christianity of white supremacy, fundamentalism, materialism, and every abuse and mistreatment we can think of. Please deconstruct. God is not in those spaces and we need to shed that baggage.

Those preaching exclusivity the loudest are often the ones with the most blood on their hands.

To leave a misrepresentation of God, in search of God, is no sin.

I am an unashamed follower of Jesus. I want everyone to experience what I have experienced in my relationship with Him. I have no tolerance for those peddling whatever all this stuff out here is that is being done in the name of Christianity. I am very tired of it.

Concluding thoughts

Again, I wish a Christian would have written this book.

I wish we were the ones saying there is more to life than selfish ambition and achievement and then backing it up with a lifestyle of service; I wish we were the ones wanting to address these pandemics facing us, as opposed to denying them, and offering hope out of the destruction of capitalism; I wish we were the ones learning from First Nations people an embodied Christianity, connected to creation, and not empire building that dominates and destroys; I wish we were the ones working with anyone and everyone wanting to make the world a better place for future generations, serving humanity and joining hands with all faith traditions to do so (and allowing the Holy Spirit to address any conviction that needs to take place — see John 16:7–11);

I wish we had communicated this inspiring message because then we would look and sound like Jesus.