A Confession Before This Review- Bruce Epperly Is Clear That Holy Adventure Is in Part

Holy Adventure: 41 Days of Audacious Living by Bruce Epperly

Review by the Rev. Tom Williams

(A confession before this review: Bruce Epperly is clear that [his book], Holy Adventure: 41 Days of Audacious Living, is in part a reply to Rick Warren’s [book], The Purpose Driven Life. Therefore, I thought I should read it along with Dr. Epperly’s book. I failed. I confess I couldn’t stand Warren’s “you-centered”, God’s-in-control theological pomposity. My apologies to Dr. Epperly.)

As someone who is not spiritual and is old (67), a disabled combat veteran of Vietnam, and a Presbyterian minister, my initial foray into Holy Adventure was less than enthralling. Reading and discussing theology, the ongoing struggles over sexuality in the Presbyterian denomination, or the weekly exercise of sermon preparation – all are stuff I like and with which I can become enthralled. For me, audacious living is fall Saturdays in Madison cheering on our beloved Badgers! Ah, but let me warn you: Holy Adventure, if you dare use it as it’s designed, will grab your heart, uplift your soul, and invigorate even jaded preachers into moments of spiritual adventure.

From my non-academic perspective, Holy Adventure takes seriously Process thought and the foundational notion that we exist not alone, that our “selves” are not islands created out of whole cloth. Rather, that we are born, create our selves and live in relationships, in communities, and that it is in those relationships that we create and re-create ourselves; and that God is constantly present–calling, luring us to beauty and justice and truth.

Epperly constantly reminds and empowers the reader to participate with God in creating the next part of one’s life. The book offers 41 days of encouraging ideas, thoughtful prayers, and realistic self-affirmations. It counters constantly any notion that all is decided before we act or that God makes all the decisions.

For me, the breathless nature of some of the prose was troubling; and at times I wondered how it would be read and understood by a person living in poverty, suffering the brutality of racism or homophobia or sexism, or living a life ravaged by AIDS or some other life threatening disease. As a bald-headed, old white guy whose life is pretty privileged I am not sure how others might read and participate in these days of “audacious living.” But one real joy in this “spiritual adventure” is the acknowledgement of politics and

community. As a child of the ‘60s, I fear any attempt to remove me from the community and from the responsibility my participation entails. Individual relationships with God or some salvific messiah and especially ones which ignore my participation in the community’s racism, sexism, homophobia, ignore the Biblical call to community and to doing justice, loving kindness. Epperly never allows the reader to wrap her/himself in the robe of self-centered salvation, but continually challenges such notions. Even when discussing “healing touch,” Epperly reminds the reader/practioner of the need to acknowledge past practices and evil acts which such touch can and ought address. One might hope that this book could liberate all to see that a new creation is possible and that God is not the gatekeeper but rather the one calling for change, for liberation, offering hope, and participating with us in those struggles.

The book offers a guide for small groups and I look forward to trying it out with the congregation inflicted with my presence. Holy Adventure, Batman, we can grow in spirit and make Gotham City a better place to live for all! Read it. Enjoy it. Participate in its “guide to audacious living.”