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Childish Things cover art

Childish Things

Written by: Dave Warnock, Jennifer Wachtel Kates
Narrated by: Dave Warnock
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Publisher's Summary

The Jesus movement of the '70s was a heady time. It was a time of Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell. It was a time of the Doobie Brothers telling us that “Jesus Is Just Alright with Me”, and Norman Greenbaum singing about a “Spirit in the Sky”. It was a time when Jesus was going to return any day, according to the best-selling book The Late Great Planet Earth. It was a time of the Rapture, Armageddon, and the Antichrist.

Dave Warnock’s faith took root during this intoxicating era, and soon he was speaking in tongues, casting out demons, and praying for legs to grow. That raw, emotional faith grew into a mature Christian lifestyle over the next three and a half decades, including pastoral roles on three different church staffs, where the innocence of Dave's early faith evolved into staff meetings, budgets, and carefully planned worship services. Dave's spiritual journey included vocational, financial and personal struggles, and an increasingly frustrating search for God's involvement.

But what if it’s not true? What if there’s not an active God doing things for his people? What does a man do when he pauses and reflects on a life lived in this kind of faith, and finds, upon examination, that the God he dedicated his life to has never been there?

By 2011, Dave had come to the conclusion that he no longer believed in a personal God and he rejected his lifelong faith. In 2019, he was diagnosed with ALS.

©2022 Dave Warnock (P)2022 Dave Warnock

What the critics say

“Raw, open, honest - I can’t imagine the courage it took to write this book, but it is a story you will not be able to put down until the last page. I hope this has a healing influence on anyone who reads it.” (Dr. Darrel Ray, president and founder of Recovering from Religion, author of The God Virus and Sex & God, founder of the Secular Therapy Project)

“You will need a fire extinguisher as you read Dave Warnock’s journey. The pages blaze with courage, intensity, drama and heartbreak - and sometimes real fire. This candid revelation of behind-the-scenes ministry has no come-to-Jesus moment. Just the opposite.” (Dan Barker, co-president of Freedom from Religion Foundation, author of Godless and Life Driven Purpose)

What listeners say about Childish Things

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A heartfelt memoir elevated by the narration

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. The author's narration of this book makes this audiobook superior in every way to the print edition. A sentence that I never thought I would ever say. It was an emotional ride and I cried more than once. This audiobook is an absolute treasure.

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Get this book!

Dave’s a gifted writer telling his journey. This trip made me happy and sad but in the end I was also thankful. Good story and good delivery, thanks Dave.

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A Wonderful and Sadly Relatable Story

I’m so glad I chose the audio book for Dave’s memoir. He delivers it like a true storyteller, with a voice that’s engaging and emotive. I’m looking forward to hearing Dave speak when he comes to Canada in August 2022. Thanks for sharing your story!

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Impactful

An amazing life, filled with love and truth. Brought tears to my eyes no less than five times.
Dave is inspiring.

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Thank You Dave!

I got this book thinking it would be full of useful info on the bible and the historicity of events in the bible. (I didn't read anything about the book but I briefly knew Dave's story and that he was an ex evangelical pastor) This is not that book. Instead what I got was the moving/riveting life story of a typical (at times extraordinary) man trying to do the work of God. There is no evidence given in this book that will make you say, "There is no God", but if your being honest with yourself, Dave's story should make you at least question the hypothesis.

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moving and extremely entertaining

Dave has an absolute talent with speaking and storytelling. I love listening to him on multiple podcasts, so this book was a pleasant listen. thank you Dave

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Amazing story

Well read, well written. A tragic story in so many ways but always filled with hope and direction. Thank you, Dave, for sharing your story.

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