Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith From Fear by Jinger Dugger Vuolo

A Surprising and Illuminating Book

Becoming Free Indeed surprised me. I’m not sure what expected, but I suggest reading with patience and an open mind. If you agree with the religious environment she was raised in, it might make you angry that she criticizes it. If you don’t agree with Christianity or organized religion in general, you’ll spend a lot of time rolling your eyes.

As far as the quality of the book, whether it’s the work of her co-author or her own, the book is well-organized and easy to read. When she makes an assertion, she gives a specific example. When she expresses an opinion, she gives her reasoning. 

The premise of the book is the journey she takes disentangling what she considers to be her true Christian faith from the toxic teachings of Bill Gothard, founder of the Institute in Basic Life Principles, an extremist organization that claims to be a Christian ministry, but it comes with a bunch of arbitrary rules you’ll never find anywhere in the Bible. For example, the “Umbrella of Authority” asserts among other things that children are subject to the authority of their parents, even as adults.” Gothard was removed from his leadership position when more than thirty allegations of sexual abuse. He was not otherwise prosecuted or held accountable. 

Jinger married “outsider” Jeremy, a Christian minister who preached from the Bible but didn’t replace God’s authority with his own, which is so common among evangelicals and other false prophets. (Come on, when you say “Christian Values” why aren’t they talking about feeding the hungry, housing the poor, healing the sick, and leaving judgment to God instead of fussing about the length of a skirt or rending their garments at the sight of a rainbow?)

Jinger’s unlearning process was a difficult one. She was raised in an environment of guilt and fear that colored everything she did and rocked her confidence. It’s heartbreaking to see her struggle to find her own way. For example, because she was homeschooled and had so many siblings, she had no idea how to make friends.

She insists her childhood was wonderful, though, and is circumspect on the subject of her brother, Josh, who sexually abused his sisters and was convicted of possession of child pornography. She said he gave the appearance of being a Christian but was “living a lie.”

I’m glad I read Becoming Free Indeed. It may not be for everyone, but it was illuminating and well-written.