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Spiritual Probation
"What if you prayed to know truth and God told you everything you've been taught is a lie?"
Nate O'Connor wants to do right. His senior year of college, though, gets off to a rocky start. He's a student at Bob Johnson University, the flagship institution of higher learning in American fundamentalism, where he and his best friend are placed on spiritual probation after being accused of disloyalty to the school. Their attempt to repair their reputation backfires and when Nate meets two women--one beautiful and smart, the other wise and charming--his entire belief system is uprooted. Nate's world is further rocked by tragedy and his life will never be the same.
Drawing on his own experiences as a student at Bob Jones University, Rich Merritt has crafted an extraordinary story of love, hope, loss, betrayal and loyalty. Most of all, Spiritual Probation is a deeply compelling exploration into the power of faith � in friends, lovers and God, as each of us defines God, and in the unwavering dictates of our own hearts.
Nate O'Connor wants to do right. His senior year of college, though, gets off to a rocky start. He's a student at Bob Johnson University, the flagship institution of higher learning in American fundamentalism, where he and his best friend are placed on spiritual probation after being accused of disloyalty to the school. Their attempt to repair their reputation backfires and when Nate meets two women--one beautiful and smart, the other wise and charming--his entire belief system is uprooted. Nate's world is further rocked by tragedy and his life will never be the same.
Drawing on his own experiences as a student at Bob Jones University, Rich Merritt has crafted an extraordinary story of love, hope, loss, betrayal and loyalty. Most of all, Spiritual Probation is a deeply compelling exploration into the power of faith � in friends, lovers and God, as each of us defines God, and in the unwavering dictates of our own hearts.
252 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 2, 2013
I too attended Bob Jones University and was put on Spiritual Probation after confiding in the wife of a staff member about childhood sexual abuse. This book was a little tough for me because it reminded me of so much I've worked hard to forget. I found that much of what is described in the book, in particular Dr. Bob's dialog when preaching, still gives me "the creeps". Bob Jones University was instrumental, in part, for my having fled from God and anything to do with Him for almost 25 years. I now attend a small church with a warm and non-judgmental congregation of believers. God managed to heal my spirit in spite of Bob Jones' efforts to condemn me. Great job, Rich! It needed to be written.
October 19, 2012
As an apologetic alumna of Bob Jones University, I truly enjoyed this book. I sympathized with the protagonist and his exit from fundamentalism as he realized how nonsensical most of it was. I cried with Danny's family as they dealt with his tragedy. I was frustrated, but not surprised, by the reactions of the university. Even though the events of this book occurred before my time at BJ and some of the rules had changed by the time I arrived, much of the culture of the university has stayed the same, and the reactions to those who are outside the university or who disagree with the university are exactly the same. I would recommend this book to anyone who's dealt with the IFB and wants to dwell in the big questions rather than accepting all words spoken from a pulpit as truth.
June 4, 2019
Really fascinating info on life at Bob Jones (oh, I mean "Bob Johnson") University. Through a friend who attended and then got better (to be fair, I think she felt it was a crazy cult when she was there, but now she is quite certain of her convictions) I know some of the underlying story. Only 3 stars because the writing was not very good -- I have read worse, but still. The main character has an epiphany about BJU rather suddenly. Sex and good conversation can open up a lot of vistas, but I don't think turnarounds for people fully indoctrinated happen quite that speedily. Also, notable, the points about the evilness of Jones and his henchmen were driven home a bit too hard. Let the story make your point, not the exposition. Still worth the read if you are interested in fundamentalism.
June 6, 2024
This book brought me back to my days at BJU.
It took me 7 years after leaving BJU that I could finally speak to the fact that I had attended this University. I was so traumatized. It wasn't until reading this book at the age of 62 that I now realize that it wasn't my fault for not graduating. What a complete waste of 4 years.
It took me 7 years after leaving BJU that I could finally speak to the fact that I had attended this University. I was so traumatized. It wasn't until reading this book at the age of 62 that I now realize that it wasn't my fault for not graduating. What a complete waste of 4 years.
October 24, 2012
Mr. Merritt's latest novel is an eye-opening view into the fundamentalist collegiate environment and the people who inhabit it. The depiction of a couple of "bad boys" is believable and realistic, as are the other characters of the novel. What's most heartening about this book is its depiction of the shock and joy that a questioning mind can find, even within the confines of a cultish setting.
Set on the campus of the fictional Bob Johnson University, this novel gives an all-too-real depiction of what life is like for those who follow a cult leader's interpretation of Christianity rather than question and explore the faith on their own. We see the dangers of blind acceptance of someone else's interpretations, but what gives this book its vitality is the struggle and rebellion of one in this situation.
Mr. Merritt's writing is brilliant. His use of certain books of the Bible as chapter names brings home some of the ironies. His subtle cues of timeframes (e.g., songs that may not be familiar to younger readers) may not be immediately appreciated, but like any good book, a second reading brings even more details to the reader's attention.
The story is painful, yet beautiful. The reader will enjoy the friendship, love, and devotion shown by the principal characters and will despise the treachery, viciousness, and power-mongering demonstrated by the antagonists. Most of all, the reader will be reminded of what it's like to be alive, young, and on the path to discovery of what matters.
Set on the campus of the fictional Bob Johnson University, this novel gives an all-too-real depiction of what life is like for those who follow a cult leader's interpretation of Christianity rather than question and explore the faith on their own. We see the dangers of blind acceptance of someone else's interpretations, but what gives this book its vitality is the struggle and rebellion of one in this situation.
Mr. Merritt's writing is brilliant. His use of certain books of the Bible as chapter names brings home some of the ironies. His subtle cues of timeframes (e.g., songs that may not be familiar to younger readers) may not be immediately appreciated, but like any good book, a second reading brings even more details to the reader's attention.
The story is painful, yet beautiful. The reader will enjoy the friendship, love, and devotion shown by the principal characters and will despise the treachery, viciousness, and power-mongering demonstrated by the antagonists. Most of all, the reader will be reminded of what it's like to be alive, young, and on the path to discovery of what matters.
January 2, 2013
Poorly edited, this story will make no sense whatsoever to the average "outsider" to Christian Fundamentalism. Sharp superfluous details overwhelm and stand in contrast to the underdeveloped, flat main characters. Ironically, the secondary characters have more life and depth, while the main characters endure action being done *to* them, not *by* them. In a "show, don't tell," category of judging, this book earns a failing grade.
All that said, the story itself *is* familiar, affirming, and cathartic to those liberated from the Fundamentalist cult. Those random details mean something to the person who has been there. And those flat characters are the composite of every student who has escaped Bob Jones University.
The story's ending is exquisitely, beautifully understated, again, starkly contrasting the overabundance of meaningless details and explanations taking up most of the rest of the book. Oh, if only the whole book were as well-written as the last chapter!
All that said, the story itself *is* familiar, affirming, and cathartic to those liberated from the Fundamentalist cult. Those random details mean something to the person who has been there. And those flat characters are the composite of every student who has escaped Bob Jones University.
The story's ending is exquisitely, beautifully understated, again, starkly contrasting the overabundance of meaningless details and explanations taking up most of the rest of the book. Oh, if only the whole book were as well-written as the last chapter!
September 16, 2014
Excellent account of growing up in ultra conservative Southern Baptist Churches for young Gays.
One of the best accounts I have read of Gay life in the Conservative Southern United States, and mirrors my life growing up in a very large Southern Baptist Church in Louisiana....albeit much earlier. Times have changed and are changing but very slowly.
Recommended A+++ (my highest recommendation)
One of the best accounts I have read of Gay life in the Conservative Southern United States, and mirrors my life growing up in a very large Southern Baptist Church in Louisiana....albeit much earlier. Times have changed and are changing but very slowly.
Recommended A+++ (my highest recommendation)
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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