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The Evolution of Faith: How God Is Creating a Better Christianity
For too long, American Christianity has been poisoned by a narrowness of mind and spirit, demanding we believe the implausible, affirm the absurd, and despise the different. For many, the concepts of original sin, a God who sends people to hell, and Jesus as the only path to God can no longer be stomached. Thus thoughtful people leave the church in droves, no longer willin...more
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published
June 7th 2011
by HarperOne
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Feb 04, 2012
David Monroe
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
essays,
indiana,
know-the-author,
non-fiction,
quaker,
religion,
science,
spiritual,
theology,
library-dl
Post read Update: As we Quaker's say -- This Friend speaks to my condition.
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Anxious to read this from Phil. He's a Quaker paster (some would say that's an oxymoron) and an author of If Grace Is True: Why God Will Save Every Person and the Harmony series. In an excerpt of this he asked; "How a book that has been altered numerous times over the decades can now be viewed as God's unchanging truth is a mystery to me." (He is talking about the Quaker book "Faith and Practice" but it could als...more
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Anxious to read this from Phil. He's a Quaker paster (some would say that's an oxymoron) and an author of If Grace Is True: Why God Will Save Every Person and the Harmony series. In an excerpt of this he asked; "How a book that has been altered numerous times over the decades can now be viewed as God's unchanging truth is a mystery to me." (He is talking about the Quaker book "Faith and Practice" but it could als...more
A book by a Quaker pastor that basically espouses Enlightenment-era Deism mixed with some Unitarianism. Gulley, while he clearly knows the Scriptures well, puts little value on them in this book, quoting them only a few times in among his midwesterny anecdotes and generally viewing "revelation" as a bad, war-starting kind of thing. He also insists on the essential impotence of deity in the world and the futility of most kinds of prayer, so much so that I found the title and subtitle to be dising...more
if you know, that you know, that you know that what you believe is absolute truth and that Christianity has not changed one iota since it's inception....well, this would either piss you off, scare you to death, rock your world, or maybe say what you've been thinking for a very, very long time....Gulley has been one of my favorite authors for about a decade now and he never lets me down...enjoy...and "stay thirsty my friends"....:)
I love Philip Gulley's books. They're very accessible (a big word meaning there aren't too many big words), refreshing and thought-provoking. I suppose I like them so much because I agree with them so much. Whether or not one agrees with Gulley's ideas, this book is almost guaranteed to generate interesting discussion with a book group. I'll quote from the Prologue here; "That so relatively few people test theological assertions with reason, science and logic is a testament to religion's ability...more
I absolutely could not have loved this book more! Every page had some sort of idea or tidbit of information that would just floor me, and that I totally agreed with. I really identify with Gully's views on religion, and Christianity today. I myself consider myself spiritual because I don't believe or follow everything that the Christian religion practices or believes today. I felt validated that Gulley touched on this issue, and I didn't feel alone that I am the only one that feels this way. Gul...more
One of the things I love about reading more liberal authors (which Gulley most certainly is) is that they have this ability to be so truly honest about the spiritual journey and the realities therein. This honesty give them freedom to probe questions that others may not feel comfortable asking and therefore allows them to encounter perspectives that I find incredibly valuable to my own.
This is what I love about Gulley's book here. While I dont share his tendency to lean away from the Story rathe...more
This is what I love about Gulley's book here. While I dont share his tendency to lean away from the Story rathe...more
Like Bill and Ted, Gulley's religious philosophy is "be excellent to each other." And I enjoy that. I'm left wondering, however, what he actually believes. He seems to dismiss most conventional Christian dogma -- particularly about salvation. I'm not sure what use he gets from the Bible. At several points in the book I thought, "Why doesn't he just accept that he's an atheist?" That said -- I liked his anecdotes and personal remembrances, and his notion of God does appeal to me. I'll be thinking...more
I love Phillip Gulley. Always have. To me, this book is the next logical step in his last few books If God is Love and If Grace is True, I would describe it as a kinder gentler and much more folksy "Why Christianity Must Change or Die" by Bishop John Shelby Spong which was written about 15 years ago. That book caused a bit of controversy, mostly from people who didn't actually read it. The same may be true about a book like this with such a provocative title and cover but I do hope folks will gi...more
This is a very readable book for the average layperson in the church (or out of it). Gulley weaves into it lots of examples from his own experience as he helps the reader see how his faith has evolved over the years and how older ideas of God, Jesus, and the Christian faith are no longer meaningful to large numbers of people in modern society. However, he believes that a new Christianity is possible and that it can help bring about a much better world. He does all this in his usual humorous styl...more
Though a big part of me wants to insist I'm done with organized religion and I feel suspicious of most things promoted as Christian, it seems I continue to be drawn in by such titles as this.
I found the book helpful as I continue to move further and further from traditional Christianity. Many of Gulley's insights resonate with me and some of his writing brought clarity to unarticulated leanings. He does a great job addressing the major tenets of faith, expanding each one into an inclusive and un...more
I found the book helpful as I continue to move further and further from traditional Christianity. Many of Gulley's insights resonate with me and some of his writing brought clarity to unarticulated leanings. He does a great job addressing the major tenets of faith, expanding each one into an inclusive and un...more
Philip Gulley is such a gentle soul. I'd love to sit and talk with him. I'm going to have to really do some thinking and possibly rereading of this book before it becomes as good to me as his others. As Phyllis Tickle said on the back of the jacket "Whether you agree with all of Philip Gulley's theology - and in several places I don't - there is no question about the fact that he has defined her more clearly than perhaps any other contemporary commentator the current truth about the church." He...more
I loved this book! I read it in 2 days, but there is much food for thought that will last me for days. Gulley gives voice to many strands of belief coming from the progressive wing of the Christian family. Its refreshing to read a book and not feel like you're the only one who thinks a certain way or believes a certain thing. I definitely recommend this book.
This book is fascirto say the least. Gulley is a progressive krisjan, which I find refreshing. I could actually discuss faith with him and not have to worry about being told I am going to hell because I don't beloved in Christianity. Wonderfully put together and not spewing the same krisjan BS like many krisjans do. Its still krisjan theology so 3 stars.
Really enjoyed this book. It spoke to a lot of what I'm struggling with as a Christian right now and it made me feel better knowing I'm not the only one struggling and it made be good that I'm struggling.
Need to buy it and re-read it to get everything, I think. It's a tough read (to really grasp all of it... it's an easy read but in-depth)
Need to buy it and re-read it to get everything, I think. It's a tough read (to really grasp all of it... it's an easy read but in-depth)
If Philip Gulley were a minister in Houston, despite my lack of faith, I would be in his congregation every Sunday. He espouses the closest thing to a belief system I could claim. I loved If Grace Is True and If God Is Love so very much as well. I can't understand why more faiths can't embrace his loving, inclusive theology.
Powerful message presented in a straightforward, unpretentious manner. From the closing chapter: "God is creating a better Christianity. God is doing it right now, through people just like you, who refuse to worship a cultural deity whose compassion extends no further than the horizon..." To that, I can say a hearty "Amen!"
Oct 07, 2011
Chris Unterreiner
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011,
spirituality
I love Gulley's books and count more than one among my all time favorites. He always has something to say that makes me think differently, and deeper, about my spirituality. I took too long reading this book and probably will have to go back and read it in less time to get the most out of it.
A group I meet with weekly just discussed this book and absolutely loved it. It is not a difficult read but he has a way of presenting his points of view, many of which I agree with. The group raved about it as well.
Thought provoking and accessible. You don't need a background in theology to appreciate this book. I agree with many of Gulley's ideas and disagree with others, but I am glad to have read The Evolution of Faith.
This was our book to read for a summer bookclub at Medford Friends Meeting. I found it a very interesting read and it is helpful for understanding the Quaker approach to religion/spirituality.
I enjoyed reading this book, written by a Quaker pastor. Although I don't share in all his conclusions, his questions are questions that all serious Christians ask in the course of their lives.
Really enjoyed the perspective present in Gulley's writing. Brings the historical understanding to today's reallity and gives guidance to the future.
Dec 27, 2011
Marianna
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-read-2011,
religion
What a refreshing way of looking at the Christian faith. This book should be required reading in theology schools.
I read another book by Philip Gulley and enjoyed both of them. I would read him again and recommend it for anyone who wants to challenge their faith.
Jan 25, 2012
Emmanuelle
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
spirituality,
bible-study
Gulley says a lot of things that I have thought and felt ... I wish that every Christian would read this. Inspiring ...
Once again, Phillip Gully delivers a book that resonates with my spiritual journey. I appreciate his candor and willingness to speak truth that defies tradition.
I've enjoyed Gulley's Harmony novels but was disappointed in his very
liberal view of Christianity. There was no emphasis on the work of Christ, the need for a relationship to Christ, and a desire to follow Christ in daily life. Faith in the book has evolved into more of a
relative life than a Christian faith.
liberal view of Christianity. There was no emphasis on the work of Christ, the need for a relationship to Christ, and a desire to follow Christ in daily life. Faith in the book has evolved into more of a
relative life than a Christian faith.
It was probably a 3.5 ssaying many of the things Philip Gulley has said before, but I really like the chapter on church and what it says about community and humanity
Loved this book! Tackled meaty issues of religion and spirituality in an understandable, thought-provoking way. Wish I would have read it much earlier in my faith journey.
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Philip Gulley has become the voice of small-town American life. Along with writing Front Porch Tales, Hometown Tales, and For Everything a Season, Gulley is the author of the Harmony series of novels, as well as If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, which are coauthored with James Mulholland.
He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across I...more
More about Philip Gulley...
He hosts "Porch Talk with Phil Gulley" on the Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI television's flagship show Across I...more
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Jun 17, 2011 10:19am
Jun 17, 2011 10:45am