Letters to a Devastated Christian: Healing for the Brokenhearted

Having survived the devastation that can come during the decision making process surrounding leaving a church, I can whole-heartedly recommend this little book to soothe, clarify, and aid in the healing that must come after such a soul-wrenching experience.Before reading, set yourself to understand that when Edwards writes of "movement", he is also referring to "church". You don't have to belong to a movement for this piece of writing to apply. It can address any size setting where there is devastation from "top-heavy" spiritual leadership.Edwards offers many eye-opening, key descriptions of what a hyper-authoritative leader looks like, operates like and what his character and habits reveal. This was very helpful to me and eased the guilt I had when I came to see this in my own situation. It gave words to what I had experienced but denied could be happening.Edward's writing is crafted to be effectual in addressing the depths of soul darkness that can occur when one leaves a church due to authoritative(controlling)leadership. He is equally effectual in leaving you with tangible considerations to make and actions to take in effort to preserve your threadbare, if not abandoned, faith. This book gets right down to the heart of the matter and swiftly leads you to a lighted path.

Wow, this book was EXACTLY what I needed! A friend recommended it for me because I've been struggling with the loss of all my friends and family after I left the cult I was raised in.I was skeptical at first because I felt I had read every book out there and never felt my burden lighten or lift. This book was perfect! I felt it was written for me! I highly recommend it to anyone who has been in an abusive/controlling spiritual situation and is trying to break free from all the heartache and mistrust that leaves.

I wrote that this book was not available due to an email received by amazon. We were upset as this letter came AFTER we ordered it! But, we were reassured by customer service over the phone the book is in stock. Well, we recieved our order, thank you Amazon for coming through!! The Book is a wonderful read for anyone who has been hurt by the church or the people attending them........and who hasn't at one time or another? The damage that can be left behind from these authority figures can last a lifetime and ruin what could be a wonderful, close, personal relationship with Christ. If you are in this place and want something that speaks to the common man or woman in pain from these situations, Gene Edwards has many good books. Letters to a Devastated Christian being one of them. They are a fast read and touch the heart.

Coming from a cultish Pentecostal background I am so grateful to find this book! It helped me immensely in dealing with the past and looking forward to the future! Thank you Gene!

It is great book to encourage Christians who have been hurt by non biblical authoritative ministers. It deeply touched me and later helped me be a pastor with a true shepherds heart, directing the flock to Jesus Christ.

I didn't find this book comforting at all. It started out to be and then continued in "what's wrong with me" "what did I do wrong that I feel devastated." It seemed to spin around the fact that a devastated person should just blame themselves for whatever happened!! I know, and of course DO, look at myself in situations but I found very little of the love and comfort of Jesus Christ in this book.I say DON'T READ IT if you're really hurting!! Read God's Word, Pslams or find another book of "comfort" because this certainly wasn't it, in my opinion.

It is a bit specific to a purpose. A different style of writing.

Great book I like it very much very to the point and also very encouraging.

Overall this is a great book if you've been in a controlling authoritarian church. It provided great insights, brings our experiences back to Christ as the centre of our lives and also challenges us personally as ultimately it's our choice whether we allow past negative experience to determine our future of whether we'll accept it as an experience to bring us closer to our Lord. My only criticism of the book would be that it's written from the perspective of someone voluntarily joining a high control/authoritarian church or one that ultimately becomes that, whereas I personally was born into one so had no choice in the matter. It would be great to have an adapted version of this book for people leaving groups that are generational/involuntary - but many of the principles can still be applied and the book has been a great help nonetheless. I would highly recommend reading this in conjunction with another Gene Edwards book called 'Crucified by Christians'.

Any damaged believer would benefit reading this book and as a damaged believer I recommend it wholeheartedly. Believe because of grace not rules.