The Bible Reconsidered Quotes

“In the 1950’s the top 1% paid a 70-90% income tax rate, in the 1970’s the top 1% paid a 50-70% income tax and by 2002 it was lowered to 35%. In 1980 the income of CEO’s was 50 times that of the average worker, but by 2006 it was 300 times the average worker.”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered

“Of the 20 leading developed countries, the USA has the greatest income inequality. In the 1970’s the richest 1% controlled 8% of our nation’s wealth. By 2009, the richest 1% controlled 43% of our nation’s wealth.”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered

“Verse: Ep 4:29-32 Teaching: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up…get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other.”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered

“Verse: II Pet 1: 5-11 Teaching: Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive.”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered

“Over the past 20 years, I have begun to wonder if we as Christians have lost our focus. It seems as though we have been so concerned about what we are against that we have been distracted from what we should be doing on a daily basis that would please Jesus.”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered

“The vision of the Center for Progressive Christianity is to encourage churches to focus their attention on those for whom organized religion has proven to be “ineffectual, irrelevant, or repressive.” They define progressive Christians as individuals who: (ProgressiveChristianity.org, “The 8 Points.” Accessed June 24, 2012) Believe that following the path and teachings of Jesus can lead to an awareness and experience of the Sacred and the Oneness and Unity of all life; Affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide but one of many ways to experience the Sacredness and Oneness of life, and that we can draw from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey; Seek community that is inclusive of ALL people, including but not limited to:
a. Conventional Christians and questioning skeptics,
b. Believers and agnostics,
c. Women and men,
d. Those of all sexual orientations and gender identities,
e. Those of all classes and abilities; Know that the way we behave towards one another is the fullest expression of what we believe; Find grace in the search for understanding and believe there is more value in questioning than in absolutes; Strive for peace and justice among all people; Strive to protect and restore the integrity of our earth; and Commit to a path of life-long learning, compassion, and selfless love. To these guidelines, Borg adds two more key aspects of Progressive Christianity: Focus on this life more than on the next life; Accept a non-literal reading of the Bible.”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered

“Additionally, a “progressive Christian is one who draws upon a variety of rich sources (Christian teachings and tradition, science, experience, social sciences, philosophy, and teachings from other wisdom traditions) to better understand society’s problems so that we can work in collaboration with others to help our society, our world, and the church to move toward God’s vision of a new earth.” (Peters, p. xiv)”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered

“In concluding this section on God, Thomas Paine, in his pamphlet/book The Age of Reason, published in the 1790’s, defines God as the “first cause” of all creation. He asks “Is there a Word of God?” He answers with, “The Word of God is the creation we behold; and it is a word, which no human invention can counterfeit or alter, that God speaketh universally to man…it is an ever existing original, which every man can read. It cannot be forged; it cannot be suppressed…it preaches to all nations and to all worlds; and this Word of God reveals to man all that is necessary for man to know of God…”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered

“I am comfortable with the mystery of God.”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered

“It is impossible to go back when you've outgrown who you were. —Author unknown”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered

“Stearns goes on to write, with Christianity’s terrible track record, “what are the injustices in our world right now that we cannot see?” (p. 196) He states that in the last 30 years the word ‘evangelical’ has gone from an 85% favorable rating to only a 3% favorable rating by those with no strong religious background. He feels the cause is that evangelicals have joined the “cultural wars” and are no longer known for their concern for the “least of those among us” and are now known for the “wars” they are fighting and what they are against. They are not willing to “live peacefully with anyone who doesn’t believe what they believe.” (p. 227) “We”
― Paul Brynteson, The Bible Reconsidered