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Challenge of a Liberal Faith
Challenge of a Liberal Faith
Paperback
Published January 1, 1988
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 11, 2024
A POPULAR INTRODUCTION TO UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM
At the time this book was published in 1966, George N. Marshall was a UUA minister. He wrote in the first chapter of this book, "Today most people are looking for relevant connections, associations, relationships, and opportunities. Relevancy for most people is found outside of the churches... religion should deal with the inner life of a person and how he relates to others. Instead, most churches put the primary emphasis on the life of the church, on its dogma, doctrines, beliefs, and worship, and the individual must adjust or accommodate himself to the institution." (Pg. 10)
He observes, "A theology is a systematic organization of the concepts or the doctrines which one holds as expressing his religion. Many thoughtful people do not have a theology. Religions can exist without theology." (Pg. 33) He explains, "Here is a faith that is not external, but internal. The Unitarian Universalist church makes no other offer than this: to help a person develop the faith that is in him." (Pg. 44-45) He adds, "the genuine test of religion is to be found, for us, in the ethical and moral response made by individuals." (Pg. 60)
He admits, "Unitarianism simply cannot be explained in terms of Protestant beliefs in a positive way. It varies from Protestantism on almost every point... Look at the points which Unitarianism, if it were Protestant, would have to explain: The Bible as the foundation of faith; the miracles as the proof of faith; the Deity of Christ (not to mention the Trinity); the concepts of salvation, bodily resurrection, the virgin birth, and so on. Unitarianism cannot completely affirm any one of the general principles of Protestantism." (Pg. 92)
He points out, "We have a saying in our denomination: 'Don't come to a Unitarian Universalist church to be given a religion; come to develop YOUR OWN RELIGION.' A religion... may be memorized... but when the chips are down in some great crisis those books words are not what come to mind." (Pg. 120)
Although nearly fifty years old (and UUA churches have significantly broadened their social/political focus since this book was written), this book remains a refreshing, lively introduction to the denomination, and will be of use to anyone (including UUA members) wanting to know more about the church.
At the time this book was published in 1966, George N. Marshall was a UUA minister. He wrote in the first chapter of this book, "Today most people are looking for relevant connections, associations, relationships, and opportunities. Relevancy for most people is found outside of the churches... religion should deal with the inner life of a person and how he relates to others. Instead, most churches put the primary emphasis on the life of the church, on its dogma, doctrines, beliefs, and worship, and the individual must adjust or accommodate himself to the institution." (Pg. 10)
He observes, "A theology is a systematic organization of the concepts or the doctrines which one holds as expressing his religion. Many thoughtful people do not have a theology. Religions can exist without theology." (Pg. 33) He explains, "Here is a faith that is not external, but internal. The Unitarian Universalist church makes no other offer than this: to help a person develop the faith that is in him." (Pg. 44-45) He adds, "the genuine test of religion is to be found, for us, in the ethical and moral response made by individuals." (Pg. 60)
He admits, "Unitarianism simply cannot be explained in terms of Protestant beliefs in a positive way. It varies from Protestantism on almost every point... Look at the points which Unitarianism, if it were Protestant, would have to explain: The Bible as the foundation of faith; the miracles as the proof of faith; the Deity of Christ (not to mention the Trinity); the concepts of salvation, bodily resurrection, the virgin birth, and so on. Unitarianism cannot completely affirm any one of the general principles of Protestantism." (Pg. 92)
He points out, "We have a saying in our denomination: 'Don't come to a Unitarian Universalist church to be given a religion; come to develop YOUR OWN RELIGION.' A religion... may be memorized... but when the chips are down in some great crisis those books words are not what come to mind." (Pg. 120)
Although nearly fifty years old (and UUA churches have significantly broadened their social/political focus since this book was written), this book remains a refreshing, lively introduction to the denomination, and will be of use to anyone (including UUA members) wanting to know more about the church.
June 11, 2012
I still remember my shock when reading this. A book on religion that I actually agreed with?? One that wasn't riddled with logical errors, prostelytizing sermons or sanctimonious self-justification? Not for everyone, by any stretch of the imagination, because unlike most religious texts, it doesn't tell you what you need to do, fix, think or pray. It gives no answers, and that's not going to be to most people's liking.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews