Childish Thinking: How the Church Keeps Us Stuck in Sunday School

by Salvatore Sapienza

Scripture says, “When I was a child, I thought and reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put away childish thinking,” and yet so many adult Christians today – even after years of Bible Study and Sunday worship – still have a very elementary understanding of their faith, keeping many stuck in Sunday School.In "Childish Thinking," spiritual writer and Christian pastor, Salvatore Sapienza, explores topics such as God, Jesus, Prayer, Heaven, Hell, Sin, and Resurrection from the “higher perspective” of Christian mystics, Progressive Christian theologians, and teachers of other faith and wisdom traditions.After each chapter, there are prayers for quiet contemplation, suggested practices and activities, and also questions for personal reflection, journal writing, or small book group discussion.Discover how you can let go of old ways of thinking, grow in your spiritual understanding, begin to see things with new eyes, and finally graduate from Sunday School.

145 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2020

About the author

Salvatore Sapienza is an author, pastor, and freelance writer whose works explore themes of faith, LGBTQ+ identity, and spirituality. His debut novel, Seventy Times Seven, was nominated for two Lambda Literary Awards and later adapted into the award-winning film Brotherly Love (2017). His other books include Mychal's Prayer: Praying with Father Mychal Judge, Gay is a Gift, and Childish Thinking: How the Church Keeps Us Stuck in Sunday School. In addition to writing for various newspapers and magazines, he has appeared on NPR and PBS. He lives in Saugatuck, Michigan, where he serves as a pastor in the United Church of Christ.

Reviews

[Mimi Flaherty]

So thought provoking- a book everyone should read!

[Gerry Dee]

Grow up the easy way

Very assessable even when the subject gets difficult.
Examines basic Christian principles from progressive perspective. Enjoyable, informative and kind stretching. I read this with a book study group and it was the basis of many great discussions.

[Emilio]

Challenged my thinking

It made me angry, sad, then happy and glad.

It shook me to my core and embraced me.

Required reading for all spiritual persons.

[Kathy Mooradian]

Superb perspective on traditional religious upbringings.