Unboxing God by Alden Swan is like having a late-night convo with a thoughtful friend — the one who challenges your beliefs without trying to destroy them. It’s not a flashy book, but it is full of reflections that make you pause and think deeper.

One standout quote that sums up Swan’s approach is:

“If you are going to go through the trouble of deciding whether to believe or not that someone exists, at least try to know who you do or don't believe in.”
Honestly… most of us do this every day — whether it's choosing a friend group or buying a product. You research, test, compare. But when it comes to God and eternity? We often skip that step. 🤔 A rational person would think twice.

Swan’s writing encourages that kind of thoughtful exploration. He references everyone from G.K. Chesterton to Galileo to the Apostle Paul, making it clear that asking questions isn’t rebellion — it’s growth.

“A person whose beliefs are static is a person who is not growing.”

That hit me. God never told us to shut our minds off — in fact, Paul tells us to test the spirit. So… what fruit is your current path producing? 🍇

I especially loved the reminder that while Christianity has rules, those rules exist so good things can run wild.

“The more I considered Christianity, the more I found that while it had established a rule and order, the chief aim of that order was to give room for good things to run wild.” — G.K. Chesterton

We often put God in a box because we think the “rules” are too rigid or boring — but Jesus said, “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Are we letting sin keep us from the peace found in Christ? That rest is a gift — not a punishment.

ALL TIME FAV!!
“Jesus is not like Tinker Bell, kept alive by belief.”
He doesn’t need us to believe in Him to exist… yet He offers us everlasting life through belief. That's not something you can fit in a box. ✨

As described by Swan, this isn’t a how-to manual on faith. It’s more like a series of thought experiments, quotes, and nudges that ask, “What if you took a closer look at what you believe — and why?” There are some slow-moving sections (that my POV, may be different for others), and not every reference hits, but it’s well worth the time if you’re open to a different kind of faith conversation.