Not God's Type: An Atheist Academic Lays Down Her Arms

Not God's Type chronicles Holly Ordway's journey from atheist professor to Christian convert. The narrative follows her intellectual and spiritual transformation while teaching literature at a secular university. The author details her early life as a competitive fencer and academic, describing her firmly-held rationalist worldview. Her interactions with a fencing coach and encounters with literature and poetry become central elements in her evolving perspective. Through analysis of pivotal texts and conversations, Ordway examines the role of imagination and reason in matters of faith. She documents her growing engagement with Christian theological works and the specific arguments that challenged her atheist convictions. The memoir explores broader themes of how artistic and rational approaches to truth can intersect on the path to religious faith. Ordway's academic background provides a framework for considering the relationship between intellectual integrity and spiritual seeking.

Readers describe this as an intellectual journey rather than an emotional conversion story. Many appreciate Ordway's academic approach and literary analysis, particularly her engagement with C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien's works. Likes: - Clear, logical progression of thought - Focus on reason over emotion - Detailed explanations of philosophical arguments - Writing quality and academic tone Dislikes: - Some found it too academic and dry - Several readers wanted more personal/emotional content - A few noted repetitive sections - Some atheist readers felt the arguments weren't compelling Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (360 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (168 reviews) Notable reader comment: "Unlike many conversion memoirs that rely heavily on emotional experiences, Ordway presents a methodical examination of how her philosophical positions evolved through research and debate." - Amazon reviewer Several readers compared it favorably to C.S. Lewis's "Surprised by Joy" for its intellectual approach to conversion.

Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis This autobiography traces Lewis's path from atheism to Christianity through intellectual pursuit and literary imagination.

The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield A feminist professor's intellectual journey from secular academia to Christian faith challenges her previous worldview.

Something Other Than God by Jennifer Fulwiler A detailed account of a rationalist blogger's systematic examination of atheism leads to her acceptance of Catholicism.

The Language of God by Francis Collins The former director of the Human Genome Project presents his transition from atheism to faith through scientific investigation.

The Devil's Delusion by David Berlinski A secular Jew and mathematician examines the limitations of scientific atheism through philosophical and mathematical perspectives.

🎓 Despite being an atheist professor of literature, Holly Ordway was drawn to the works of Christian authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, whose writings ultimately influenced her conversion. 🤺 The author was a competitive fencer who found that the discipline and philosophy of fencing provided unexpected parallels to her spiritual journey. 📚 Prior to her conversion, Ordway held a Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and taught at multiple universities while maintaining a firmly atheistic worldview. ✍️ The book's title is a play on C.S. Lewis's autobiography "Surprised by Joy," as Ordway considered herself the type of person who would never believe in God. 🔄 The book was originally published in 2010, but Ordway released a significantly expanded and revised edition in 2014 that delved deeper into her intellectual and emotional journey.