Why Being Yourself Is a Bad Idea: And Other Countercultural Notions

by Graham Tomlin

Publisher:

SPCK Publishing

, 2020

Overview

Most people just want to be happy and to make a difference in the world.

We’re often told we’ll achieve this by being ourselves - but when we begin to reflect, that’s not quite as simple as it sounds. All sorts of questions and countercultural notions arise. Maybe trying to ‘be yourself’ is not such a good idea after all?

In this book Graham Tomlin dares us to let go of some of the assumptions we make about life. Drawing on current research, contemporary events and ancient wisdom, he offers an invitation to journey to places we may never have imagined before. In doing so, he vividly reveals how the revolution that Christianity began can still make remarkable sense of our experience of wonder, love, evil, justice, identity and freedom.

Exploring these universal experiences in a down to earth, easy to read manner, Why Being Yourself is a Bad Idea is a book for anyone struggling with the search for identity and self-discovery, and will leave you uplifted and reassured that seeking God can and will help you to make sense of life.

’Intriguing and provocative, speaking to our deepest concerns and heaviest questions.’
James Mumford, author of Vexed: Ethics beyond political tribes

’I kept saying “YES!” as I turned the pages of this book.’
Pete Greig, author of How to Pray

Product Details

• Title: Why Being Yourself Is a Bad Idea: And Other Countercultural Notions
• Author: Graham Tomlin
• Publisher: SPCK Publishing
• Print Publication Date: 2020
• Logos Release Date: 2022
• Pages: 192
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9780281081806, 9780281081790, 0281081794, 0281081808
• Resource ID: LLS:9780281081806
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-04-22T22:51:14Z

About Graham Tomlin

Graham Tomlin (PhD, Exeter University) is principal of St. Mellitus College, London. He taught on Martin Luther and the Reformation in the theology faculty of the University of Oxford for eight years. He is the author, among many other publications, of The Power of the Cross: Theology and the Death of Christ in Paul, Luther and Pascal, The Provocative Church, Luther and His World and the Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book for 2014: Looking Through the Cross.