My latest book is available now!

The Affable, Amiable Apostate

from the Introduction:

As defined, the term “apostate” refers to a “dissenter, heretic, nonconformist, defector, deserter, traitor, turncoat or renegade.”  It can also mean a “runaway slave.”  “Apostasy” is the “abandonment or renunciation of a religious or political belief.”  Also “defection,” “disaffiliation,” “disloyalty,” “betrayal.”  In other words, the opposite of loyalty, or submissive obedience. This sure makes apostasy sound bad, horrible, terrible …  You get the point.  To identify as an apostate seems to ask for trouble, maybe even to indicate a touch of madness—pixilated, touched in the head, as folks used to say.  In some cultures apostasy is criminalized.  Who would dare to claim the title of apostate?

. . .

Affable means a person is “friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.”  As a long-time chaplain, I hope that continues to describe my general disposition. Amiable is another nice word meaning “having or displaying a friendly and pleasant manner” and connects to qualities of good-natured, warm-hearted engagement. Related to both these terms are amenable, accessible, personable and easy-going.  I’d like to think these also reflect qualities of my own character as well as my personal approach to genuine dialogue with people of faith.  That’s my intention anyway.

Available in paperback or Kindle