A Pearl of Great Price: book review of “Things I Never Learned in Sunday School”

By Robert A. Vella

This remarkable story of personal spiritual and religious reassessment is much more than that.  The book, in actuality, is an epistemological study of Judeo-Christian religion as it evolved over the centuries.  The well-reasoned, well-sourced contextual and historical analyses are illuminating to say the least, and yet light and breezy to read.  Author Nan Yielding has a gifted writing style which allows her to explore such provocative subject matter in the most inoffensive way.  To borrow a biblical parable, I consider Yielding’s brilliant nonfiction work a “pearl of great price.”

And, there’s more.  In addition to the compelling story of personal rediscovery and the unbiased examination of Christianity, Things I Never Learned in Sunday School offers readers astute psychological insight on the importance of objective thinking as well as the reasons why ancient peoples began believing in gods in the first place.  How Yielding covered so much ground so thoroughly and yet so concisely should instill great admiration and even envy in today’s writers – including myself.

I would also like to assuage the apprehension deeply religious people might have about reading this book.  Yes, it will challenge some of your beliefs;  but, it will do so in the most compassionate manner.  You see, the author’s profound spirituality really shines through.

I’m recommending this book as must-read.