There is in me a tendency towards leniency when reviewing an author’s first book, even more so if it’s a memoir. The author takes her first tentative steps into the murky waters of public exposure hoping for warm approval, and I am loathe to dump an ice bucket over her head.
However, all that goes out the window when the author identifies herself as a prophet. Leniency is not called for under those circumstances, but rather a vigorous and critical review of her work, and possibly a recommendation the author seek some intense therapy.
The subtitle of Connie Tuttle’s book, A Gracious Heresy reads “The Queer Calling of an Unlikely Prophet,” and I’ll admit I was wary. But I determined to consider the book, first for its literary merits, and then for its message, and see where that left me.
As to the first point, there is no doubt the woman can write. Her prose is fresh, compelling and always engaging. She moves from narrative to dialogue smoothly, never concentrating so much on one or the other that the reader gets bored. For a memoir, it moves at the brisk pace and covers a great deal of ground in a few pages. She generally handles moments of pathos and outrage with restraint, and more than once I found myself laughing out loud at the author’s wry sense of humour. The story of Tuttle’s life is an adventure story, and I confess I was irritated when I had to put the book down and return to the demands of everyday life. In short, Tuttle’s book is a great read.
But what about the message, yes? Even good writers can be completely deluded. Is Connie Tuttle a prophet like she says she is?
I don’t think I’ve ever met a real prophet, so I don’t have that experience to draw from. But if I ever do, would she be any more persuasive than Reverend Tuttle? Would she show the same humility and uncertainty over her own inadequacies as she doggedly perseveres in responding to the insistent call of the Divine? Would she persist in the face of the most hateful opposition from those who call themselves Christian and counter with steadfast gentleness knowing hate comes from fear? Would she work tirelessly for justice for one of the most persecuted sectors of society today, the LGBTQ community, particularly as it pertains to full inclusion in Christian ministry, even if it meant she would be the solitary standard bearer at the beginning? I’m no expert in this area, but I have a strong suspicion Reverend Tuttle is, in fact, what she says she is.
Jesus said, “By their fruits ye shall know them,” and I cannot deny Reverend Tuttle’s message is bearing fruit in my own life. The Presbyterian Church in Canada has referred the question of the ordination of openly gay candidates to committee, and it’s likely it will be five years or more before a decision is reached. How blithely I received this news and how comfortably I’ve abided this injustice. A Gracious Heresy has reawakened in me an activist’s anger and put an end to my self-satisfied neutrality. I’m casting in my lot with Reverend Tuttle and all who, like her, recognise the Divine is doing “a new thing” in our time.
“Now it springs forth. Do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19)
