Unitarian Universalism

by Zondervan, Alan W. Gomes (Series Editor)

Fast, informed answers to the challenges of false religions -- This is an age when countless groups and movements, new and old, mark the religious landscape in our culture. As a result, many people are confused or uncertain in their search for spiritual truth and meaning. Because few people have the time or opportunity to research these movements fully, the Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements series provides essential information and insights for their spiritual journeys. The second wave of books in this series addresses a broad range of spiritual beliefs, from non-Trinitarian Christian sects to witchcraft and neo-paganism to classic non-Christian religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. All books but the summary volume, Truth and Error, contain five -A concise introduction to the group being surveyed -An overview of the group’s theology ― in its own words -Tips for witnessing effectively to members of the group -A bibliography with sources for further study -A comparison chart that shows the essential differences between biblical Christianity and the group -- Truth and Error, the last book in the series, consists of parallel doctrinal charts compiled from all the other volumes. Three distinctives make this series especially useful to -Information is carefully distilled to bring out truly essential points, rather than requiring readers to sift their way through a sea of secondary details. -Information is presented in a clear, easy-to-follow outline form with “menu bar” running heads. This format greatly assists the reader in quickly locating topics and details of interest. -Each book meets the needs and skill levels of both nontechnical and technical readers, providing an elementary level of refutation and progressing to a more advanced level using arguments based on the biblical text. The writers of these volumes are well qualified to present clear and reliable information and help readers to discern truth from falsehood.

Paperback

First published March 1, 1998

About the author

Zondervan is an international Christian media and publishing company. Zondervan is a founding member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). They are a part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc. and has multiple imprints including Zondervan Academic, Zonderkidz, Blink, and Editorial Vida. Zondervan is the commercial rights holder for the New International Version (NIV) Bible in North America.

Reviews

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit of a shock to find a book from a supposedly reputable publisher that claims the church I've been attending for the past decade was a cult. However, forwarned is forarmed - so I got a copy of it and took it to the High School Sunday School class I teach - to let them in on what the "traditional" Christian world thinks of them.
While the author claims to have studied UUism, and his outline of it does contain some fairly recent source materials on it - from the arguments he poses against UUism it is clear he doesn't GET what it means to be a participant of a non-credal religion. Or that quoting Bible verses on the authority of the Bible is anything other than totaly irrelevant to Atheists or Neo-Pagans (and circular logic to boot.)

One thing that surprised me as an Earth-centered UU, was the author's most scathing rhetoric was not aimed at Pagans like myself or Atheists - but at UU=Christians! He targets them specificly for their "counterfeit and cultic" practices. Whether this is because familiarity (of shared theological elements) breeds contempt, or it's easier to use the Bible to take potshots at others who revere it is haard to determine.

As I said there is some small utility for UUs to buy this book to see what the Religious Right thinks of them - however, I would expect that it would be extremely ineffective at its reputed purpose - converting UUs to more orthodox forms of Christianity. The most likely response one would get from it would be, "I'm sorry you feel that way about it.", or if they're more blunt, "So What?"

(This is a review I wrote on Amazon for the book in 1999.)

[Aleta · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some good historical information, but then I don't think the critique is very well done.

[R-mig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid information