“Helpful and Encouraging”
In this book, Faith Chang explains what Christian perfectionism is, explores some different manifestations of this problem, and shares biblical wisdom for how Christian perfectionists can find rest in their salvation and God's love for them. She also acknowledges potential mental health causes, and I appreciated her references to moral scrupulosity as a form of OCD.
Chang shares her own story to validate people's experiences with faith-based perfectionism, and she shares encouraging quotes from preachers and writers from Christian history. Each chapter also ends with a prayer addressing various facet of Christian perfectionism. The book addresses lots of different struggles, offering compassion and clear biblical encouragement, and Chang explores biblical teaching that relates to moral scrupulosity and feelings of guilt. She writes about God's love, our salvation in Christ, and the slow process of sanctification, highlighting core truths that correct distorted thought patterns and false beliefs.
People who feel overcome by guilt for the slightest infractions, or who feel discouraged because they never do enough, will find clarity and encouragement here. Chang primarily focuses on theology and biblical teaching, and some readers may find that this book's focus on right thinking doesn't speak to their need for emotional counseling and other forms of healing. Still, this can be helpful and clarifying for anyone who struggles with Christian perfectionism, and it will be eye-opening and transformative for readers who are stuck in distorted beliefs and thinking patterns.
Note: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This is a shorter version of the review that I originally posted at https://www.lifeisstory.com/nonfiction/peace-over-perfection-enjoying-a-good-god-when-you-feel-youre-never-good-enough-faith-chang/