{"title":"Matthew McNaught","description":"\u003cp\u003eMatthew McNaught offers profound explorations within the realm of \u003cstrong\u003ereligion and spirituality\u003c\/strong\u003e, inviting readers to engage deeply with faith and theological reflection. His works often contemplate timeless spiritual truths with clarity and insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThrough thoughtful writing, McNaught encourages a renewed understanding of sacred themes, making his books suitable for those seeking meaningful dialogue on religion and spirituality.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"immanuel-by-matthew-mcnaught-9781910695678","title":"Immanuel","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eImmanuel\u003c\/em\u003e, winner of the inaugural Fitzcarraldo Editions Essay Prize, Matthew McNaught explores his upbringing in an evangelical Christian community in Winchester. As McNaught moved away from the faith of his childhood in the early 2000s, a group of his church friends were pursuing it to its more radical fringes. They moved to Nigeria to join a community of international disciples serving TB Joshua, a charismatic millionaire pastor whose purported gifts of healing and prophecy attracted vast crowds to his Lagos ministry, the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN). Years later, a number of these friends left SCOAN with accounts of violence, sexual abuse, sleep deprivation and public shaming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn reconnecting with his old friends, McNaught realized that their journey into this cult-like community was directly connected to the teachings and tendencies of the church of their childhood. Yet speaking to them awakened a yearning for this church that, despite everything, he couldn't shake off. Was the church's descent into hubris and division separable from the fellowship and mutual sustenance of its early years? Was it possible to find community and connection without dogma and tribalism?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBlending essay, memoir and reportage, \u003cem\u003eImmanuel\u003c\/em\u003e is an exceptional debut about community, doubt, and the place of faith in the twenty-first century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47430966051052,"sku":"9781910695678","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781910695678.jpg?v=1774558157"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/matthew-mcnaught.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}