Death Letter: God, Sex, and War by David W. Peters | Paperback Book on Theology & Modern Conflict | Perfect for Book Clubs & Spiritual Discussions

I really appreciate the Rev. Peters' honest introspection and sharing of these dark memories. Christians, especially those in leadership roles, are often discouraged from being publicly honest about their doubts and imperfections. But I find it encouraging in my faith to know that others have been through traumatic times and have experienced a loss of their previous belief systems and have returned to faith. When leaders normalize emotional honesty and vulnerability, it helps communities to heal.This is a quick read, in plain language, told gently and with a sense of irony. The topics discussed are heavy, but the language is conversational and frank. As a civilian, I learned a lot about Army culture and about what conditions were like during the Iraq War. I was moved by these stories to reflect on how purity culture damages cisgender, heterosexual men emotionally. As a feminist, I have generally seen purity culture as most obviously damaging to women and the LGBTQIA+ community; it is clear in this narrative that the expectations of purity culture can be very heavy to bear for anyone subjected to its strict doctrines. I recommend this book to anyone whose faith has been shattered by trauma, or to anyone who wants to better understand the experiences of veterans.