Accidental Saints

Finding God in All the Wrong People

By: Nadia Bolz-Weber

Narrated by: Nadia Bolz-Weber

What if that person you've been trying to avoid is your best shot at grace today?

And what if that's the point?

In Accidental Saints, New York Times best-selling au­thor Nadia Bolz-Weber invites readers into a surprising encounter with what she calls "a religious but not-so-spiritual life." Tattooed, angry and profane, this former standup comic turned pastor stubbornly, sometimes hilariously, resists the God she feels called to serve. But God keeps showing up in the least likely of people - a church-loving agnostic, a drag queen, a felonious Bishop and a gun-toting member of the NRA.

As she lives and worships alongside these "ac­cidental saints," Nadia is swept into first-hand en­counters with grace - a gift that feels to her less like being wrapped in a warm blanket and more like being hit with a blunt instrument. But by this grace, people are trans­formed in ways they couldn't have been on their own.

In a time when many have rightly become dis­illusioned with Christianity, Accidental Saints dem­onstrates what happens when ordinary people share bread and wine, struggle with scripture together, and tell each other the truth about their real lives. This unforgettable account of their faltering steps toward wholeness will ring true for believer and skeptic alike.

Told in Nadia's trademark confessional style, Accidental Saints is the stunning next work from one of today's most important religious voices.

©2015 Nadia Bolz-Weber (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"...compulsively readable...deftly explains why God's love should be the heart of every sacred (and secular) experience....[Bolz-Weber's] love for God and for humankind shines through on every page." ( Publishers Weekly)

"I always feel narcissistic when I affirm writers who think like I do. But Nadia says it--and does it--so much better, with much more humor, more living examples, and a conviction that will convict you!" (Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation)

God knew I needed this......I was set so free

I am a Pastor and so is my husband.....I haven't been into drugs but I was seeking to find myself in Wicca and other things. I have always been looked down upon because of my tattoos, my occasional frustrated swearing episodes and the fact I do not fit what they think a pastor should be....complete with piercings and colored hair.

I have tried to live the outside of what people thought I should look like and sound like only to be miserable and my true self invisible...

I was freed with this book and have a more sincere clarity of the unapologetic person I need to continue to be.

Thank you Nadia. You allows God to use you and you freed metros outside imposed shame.

I'm in tears because I found acceptance in a book.

The stories are about us with all our flaws and the grace we share with each other

I am a lapsed Episcopalian and typically i would not pick up a book about religion but i heard an interview with the author and an excerpt on npr and was compelled to hear more. I recommend this to others who are stumbling along!

Moving and brilliant book!

I recommend this book wholeheartedly. Transparent. Beautiful. Raw. Transformational.
Thank you for sharing this refreshing Christian perspective, Nadia.

A Terrific Shot of Grace!

Nadia did a fantastic job with this book imploring people to exude Grace in their daily lives in such a simple and matter of fact way. I would recommend this book to all my friends. Churchgoers and nonchurch goers alike would love the religion in this book! Thank you Nadia!

I laughed, I cried; I hope I've been changed.

Stories of absolutely human experiences of grace are a refreshing invitation to a new life.

Very thoght provoking

I heard a plug for this book on NPR, and really enjoyed Nadia's interview. As a result I purchased the book and gave it a listen. I Her inclusive take on Christianity really resonated with me. As I am one of the faithless that was a pretty big deal.

Real, Raw, Honest

WOW! I never expected to be brought to tears one second, and laughing my head off in the next! Nadia reminds me of my own priest (also female, a mom, and wife. They speak the same way... honest and raw and loving ... worth every moment, can’t wait to read more of Nadia’s stuff!

Just what I needed

What made the experience of listening to Accidental Saints the most enjoyable?

A refreshing look at what it is like to be an obedient follower of Jesus Christ, with sins, shortcomings and failures included. Most of what I hear is fluffy or distorted. This was a no holds barred account from a fighter for justice with a heart for ministry WITH the least, last, lost, down-hearted, hurting, lonely and struggling.

What did you like best about this story?

It was real!

What does Nadia Bolz-Weber bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emotion

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes....did not want to stop the car

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to listening again as this is a very practical book for anyone seeking a spiritual encounter or who is currently in a good place with God. I would even recommend to atheistic, non-Christian, and agnostic people just so they can see there is a progressive group of Christians who live real and are not trying to push things on them and are not threatened by there desire not to be in connection with Ms. Bolz-Weber's God.

A Relatable Pastor

I really love this author. Will listen to her other books too. She has a great podcast too called The Confessional.

Just re-read this during the Covid19 pandemic

timely as ever. I long for the church to be like this, everywhere, in our day.