Striking Out

"This book is about the religious journeys of boys. It assumes, correctly, that there is (and should be) a congruity between a boy's life and his religion. Just as a boy's life changes, his religiosity changes. Capps writes about these changes by exploring common vulnerabilities that boys face as they strike out on their own journeys. Capps gives us all--and especially teenage boys--hope for the journey."

-Nathan Carlin

The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas



"Capps takes us right to the heart of the religious journey of the adolescent male--a journey marked by stumbling, struggling, straggling, straddling, and being a stranger. He masterfully pulls together a number of strands to tell his story of striking out that is at once deeply perceptive, profoundly human, and richly spiritual . . . This is a simply brilliant exposition of the religious journey of teenage boys."

-Neil Pembroke,

University of Queensland



"Striking Out is a home run! All five of Capps's personality types (the stumbler, the struggler, the straggler, the straddler, and the stranger) are in my youth group, so this is a particularly relevant book for me. Capps navigates the vulnerable adolescent journey masterfully, thoughtfully, and faithfully. All those invested in the spiritual journey of teenagers will discover great hope in Striking Out."

-Joshua Stewart

First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth, Texas



"Capps spoke to me personally as a man who had once been a young teenage boy with questions, emotions, and baggage striking out on my own spiritual journey. He speaks to me as a new father, as I imagine my son's future, with all of his potential and struggles ahead, and my hope to help him keep his eyes on the ball each time he comes to the plate. Capps also speaks to me as a pastor and educator, as I realize the great need of this very specific population in our culture and nation. Striking out is a paradox with which we must each deal in one way or another."

-Grafton T. Eliason

California University of Pennsylvania