Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Duggar Vuolo

 

Where Did You Get This Book?

I borrowed this through my local library as an e-book.  Check out a future blog post about the Libby app and how to utilize your local library for e-book lending. 

 

Why Did You Choose This Book?

While I was never into the TLC reality shows about the Duggar family, I was certainly aware of who they were and that Jinger has 18 siblings.  As an only child who is someone who is childless by choice, their large family was baffling and foreign to me.   I was also curious to read about her evolving faith and if she would address the criminal charges made against her brother and how it impacted her.    

 

What Did You Like About This Book?

I most liked the parts of the book where Jinger described her current belief system and how she came to ask questions about the very strict and regimented sect of Christianity she was raised in, the Institute in Basic Life Principles founded by Bill W. Gothard Jr..  While she was very critical of the Institute’s teachings and beliefs, she never disparaged her parents for raising her in that faith nor those she grew up with or are still practicing it.  Jinger is clear in stating the purpose of this book was to help others “disentangle” from what she perceived as harmful Christian beliefs and find a truer relationship with God by going right to the source, the Bible and making one’s own personal relationship with the Lord and a belief system based on that.  

 

What Did you Dislike This About This Book?

What I didn’t like about the book was that in examining the belief system of her childhood, she filled her book with an overwhelming amount of direct quotes from “the Institutes” publications.  It was very dry. At times it seemed there was more quoted text than actual thoughts from Jinger.  This book is also filled with an overwhelming amount of bible quotes as she detailed how she explored and “disentangled” from the faith of her childhood to her current faith. I am a Christian but at times I felt this had more bible quotes than a devotional and was very heavy weighted.  If  you picked up this book expecting to read some serious tea on the Duggar family, this book is not for you.  She only briefly alludes to her brother Josh’s criminal charges but perhaps that was because it’s not her story to tell.  

 

Would You Recommend This Book?

I would recommend this book only to die-hard fans of the Duggar’s reality shows or anyone who may be questioning their faith or faith from their childhood or past and is looking to explore new beliefs and/or faiths. 

 

Overall Rating (0-5 stars)

2.5 stars