Spirit and Flesh : Life in a Fundamentalist Baptist Church

Rating:
Summary: Author gives a balanced insight into American Fundamentalism
Review: Actually, I have not gotten the book as yet (I choose 3 stars because of that); however, I am familiar with the author's work, having seen the 1987 PBS documentary "Born Again" when it first came out. Now, my father was an independent Baptist pastor in Colorado, though my beliefs and practices are not exactly the same as his, nonetheless I respect thoroughly what I was taught as a child, since my parents' sincerity and genuineness was very obvious.

Having seen only unbalanced treatments of "fundamentalists" by outsiders before this, I was expecting an attack piece. I was pleasantly surprised to see Fundamentalism portrayed in an accurate fashion -- neither sugar-coated, nor unfairly criticized. Ault's film portrays these believers exactly as they are -- working class people, some deeply flawed, but most sincerely trying to live their lives in a manner consistend with their religious beliefs. It was apparent that Ault bent over backwards to try to understand a culture totally alien to his own. The documentary ends on a somewhat sad note, as the pastor becomes disallusioned and leaves his church and the pastorate.

Now, we find that Ault has revisited this work, and that, as a result of the two years he spent with these simple folk, he has himself become spiritually awakened. Though not a "fundamentalist," he has been transformed from a liberal secularist to a believer.

I look forward to ordering the book and getting the rest of the story, since everyone's path to belief is slightly different.

Rating:
Summary: Spirit and Flesh Book review, I read it.
Review: I read the book, did not see the documentary. James Ault studies fundamentalist and then goes beyond the documentary to watch these people for about 20 years. His ability to stay neutral as an observer is great. He admits being attracted to their fellowship and missing the connections that it fulfills. His ability as a story teller to draw in his audience and concern them with the ongoing true life story is grand. His writing connects you with the subjects whether you agree with them or not. His fairness is preserved while being friends to all involved.

The last chapter, "But what about you" should be read at the end of the rest of the book. Yeah, what about him?

The epilogue, wraps up the lives of so many people you have met. Great complete package. Interesting story telling.

Rating:
Summary: Gracious Treatment, But is it the Entire Picture?
Review: What a gracious treatment of potentially difficult material! My one question is whether or not he explores in detail and is fully candid in evaluating what happens when fundamentalists engage their culture. Armstrong's "The Battle for God" and other similar studies of fundamentalism such as Martin Marty's multi-volume "The Fundamentalism Project" suggests a real issue with intolerance. Ault makes the comment that liberals are actually guilty of being as intolerant of fundamentalists as they claim the fundamentalists themselves are. But if we are to take the political, social and cultural statements of the fundamentalists like those Ault engages with at face value, do we not have to address slightly more candidly the anger and in too-many situations the hate that fundamentalists advocate? Would such candor also have to deal with the reality that few fundamentalisms, regardless of whether they are Christian, Islamic or Hindu, allow for any form of democratic let alone religious pluralism. The comment Augustine is credited as having contributed to the lexicon of human's tenuous grasp of grace that "on the essentials unity, on the non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity" seems to come apart when you are engaging a culture where everything is an essential - an intrinsic part of fundamentalism. I appreciated the sociological perspective Ault brought and I was deeply and profoundly personally touched by his grace, but I think some greater danger exists within this group than his book presents. In an age where predominant sociologists, political theorists, theologians, social scientists and philosophers fear the clash of religious fundamentalists, does Ault's analysis go far enough in its analysis? I admire his grace and hold out hope that his attitude will be embraced