Not The Religious Type by Dave Schmelzer

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Not The Religious Type: Confessions of a Turncoat Atheist is the story of an atheist who did not so much convert to Christianity, but rather embraced Jesus Christ as Savior in deep relationship. “Is there a difference between the two,” you ask? Yes, there is a huge difference, according to Schmelzer. Relationship and all of its rich potential is the big idea of this book, from the start. Relationship, not religion, is what soul longs for, universally. In fact, this not-so-subtle emphasis bridges the proverbial gap presently existing between secularized, postmodern, highly educated people and a life honestly lived in unison with Christ. And if Schmelzer’s church in Boston – which is full of Harvard and MIT and Boston University and Tufts deans and faculty and postdocs as well as construction workers and stay-at-home moms and social workers and cooks – is any indication, then he is obviously onto something ridiculously simple, yet revolutionary.

Not The Religious Type reads like a personal memoir. It’s as enlightening and informative as it is enjoyable and easy to read. More than a few of the stories Schmelzer offers have been noted, highlighted, underlined, and circled for future reference. They will be turned to regularly as more and more friends and neighbors ask the big questions and subsequently search for answers upon which they can authentically build a foundation for an expression of faith that actually makes sense in the present context and world.

One of the most profound sections of the book (and there are many!) dealt with the idea/concept of “Bounded Sets,” and the effect that our uncritical living within these sets has upon almost everything we do – especially our relationships with one another and God. Schmelzer, for example, writes the following

Bounded sets – the circles in this analogy – are religions or cultures. With religion or culture, you’re either inside it or outside it. No gray are here. Now many religions or cultures are benevolent toward those on the outside. They might say something to the effect of, “Hey you outsider. Why don’t you jump into our bounded set? It’s awesome in here! And, as the godly religion/culture, you’ll get the chance to be much closer to God than you are at the moment. Yes, there may be a trifling cultural thing or two you’ll need to do to accommodate to us, the godly religion/culture. Being a good Illinois Baptist is, after all, a little different than being a good Bengali Muslim, whoa re we kidding? But we’d love to have you!

The thing is: Most people don’t want a new bounded set. They like theirs just fine. They’ve spent years getting to know it; they’re comfortable with it. And for the most part, bounded sets tend to preach to the choir rather than to outsiders.

Think about this in political terms for a moment. Let’s say you’re the sort of person who reads the New York Times editorial page. Pretty much every correspondent there loathes conservatives and wonders who these idiots are. One of my favorite Boston Globe editorial page moments (The Globe is a subsidiary of the Times) came a few years back in response to one of many editorials ripping George W. Bush, particularly viciously in this case. The next day the paper printed three of four letters, all of which has a common point: You, the editorial writers of the Globe, are horrible awful people! Why? Because you didn’t rip into Mr. Bush nearly enough! You call that ripping him? You should be ashamed of yourselves!

Now let’s say you’re a conservative reader from a conservative family who stumbles upon this editorial page. What are the odds that you’ll read one of these contemptuously anticonservative editorials and think to yourself, Oh my gosh! They’re right! I’m an utter fool (and, goodness, a bigot, to boot)! Who knew? And it’s not only me! My family and everyone I’ve ever known and loved are fools and bigots! Thank you, Globe editorial page, for opening my eyes!

Or let’s say you’re a committed Eastern liberal who turns on any one of a hundred conservative talk radio programs. What are the odds that you’ll experience that conversation in reverse?

The point: Bounded sets preach to other true believers, for the most part. They tend to preach over and against those infidels who aren’t a part of their bounded set.And bounded sets often throw a fair number of nonessentials into what it means to be in their set.

Again, this little blurb about “bounded sets” is worth the price of the book, especially if one considers how the church sometimes acts as a bounded set, locally, and how her members should really wrestle with the idea that such an act maybe totally removed from the Gospel of Jesus Christ – or even detrimental to the Kingdom of God (Ephesians 2:11-22).

Not The Religious Type is full of informative and enlightening remarks like the one above concerning bounded sets. If you have at all struggled or deeply investigated your own faith, you will experience more than a few “AHA!” moments while you read this enjoyable little. Also, do not lose sight of the fact that this book is all about relationships. Relationships not religion is the big idea. Religion will not work. Only relationships – deep relationships shared with one another and with God – will do! This book is all about the relationship. I highly recommend reading it.

Also note the following: If you mistakenly think – even for one moment – Not The Religious Type advances a faith expression void of joy-laden emotion or supernatural moves of God you had better think again! The beauty of this little book emanates from the focus upon deep relationship and the very real potential and surprise that a deep relationship with God can produce! Consider a few of the author’s “Napkin Stories,” for example (“Napkin Stories” is the name Schmelzer gives to the stories people he is regularly involved with have written down on napkin-sized pieces of paper):

I asked God to give my brother (who was unemployed for two years) a job and for my parents to find some kind of happiness after a terrible car accident that happened in 2003. After six weeks of prayer, in the same week my brother got a job, I got a job, and my parents bought a new house – a sign from God that despite trials and tribulations, he still has enormous blessings awaiting us.

I found out that my aunt and uncle’s marriage was unraveling due to an affair. I fasted and prayed for them. After thirty-eight days, I was contacted by my uncle. He was about to sign a lease on an apartment to move in with his lover. before he could sign, he felt an almost audible voice in his head say, ‘Stop.’ He went back to my aunt and started to see how their marriage could be saved. She found a way to forgive him.

Again, I highly recommend this book to all of you who have big questions and a deep desire to share a relationship with God and friends and neighbors. No, this book is not a quick fix, but it is a good beginning. It’s a proper launch into the incredible and surprising world of faith, hope and love. You’ll have to live there on your own, but it’s really nice to have a bit of instruction for the journey too. Not The Religious Type is a bit of instruction.

Schmelzer, Dave. Not the Religious Type: Confessions of a Turncoat Atheist. Carol Stream, Illinois: Saltriver, 2008.

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