A Psychology of Nonconformist Faith

By Ed Hurst

This booklet will help you keep your sanity when you feel called to the nonconformist path of faith. We examine the frame of reference for people who carry this off well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ed Hurst
• Release date: May 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005805531

Ed Hurst

Born 18 September 1956 in Seminole, OK. Traveled a great deal in Europe with the US Army, worked a series of odd jobs, and finally in public education. Ordained to the ministry as a Baptist, then with a non-denominational endorsement. Currently semi-retired.

Book preview

A Psychology of Nonconformist Faith

by Ed Hurst

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2021 by Ed Hurst

Copyright notice: People of honor need no copyright laws; they are only too happy to give credit where credit is due. Others will ignore copyright laws whenever they please. If you are of the latter, please note what Moses said about dishonorable behavior – be sure your sin will find you out (Numbers 32:23)

Permission is granted to copy, reproduce and distribute for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its original form.

Cover art: Ocean Beach near Katwijk, The Netherlands, 1991; book author’s own photography.

Table of Contents

Introduction

01 Everything Is a Matter of Conviction

02 The Heart of the Matter

03 Limits to Authority

04 Mother Reality

05 Simulated Mindset

06 Slab of Slate

07 Doing Right

08 Stand Alone

Introduction

I am a nonconformist. It’s not a label I sought; I don’t do this just for the sake of refusing to conform. The label is what the world has put on me. I have to live with it.

To be honest, I’m convinced the world is wrong. I’m not going to say the world should be more like me, but that it should be different from what it is. I should have more room to be myself, but I find that just about everything is structured to block me doing what I’m certain I have to do. Maybe it’s not intentionally hostile, but it’s certainly not friendly.

That brings me to the faith part of the title. The reason I have such a strong sense of difference is the divine imperative. From my earliest awareness, I’ve sensed a calling from the God of the Bible on