God Unbound: Wisdom from Galatians for the Anxious Church

by Elaine A. Heath

Just as Paul led the Galatians through a radical cultural change to expand their view of God, themselves, and the church's mission, Christians are challenged to do the same today. Elaine Heath urges the church to boldly follow the Holy Spirit's leadership beyond buildings and programs to join what Jesus is doing in the world.

KEY FEATURES
--Each chapter has reflection questions for small-group discussion.
--The book could be used for leadership development over several weeks or months.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Biblical Studies, Faith, Religion, Christianity

108 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2016

Reviews

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second reading of this book in preparation for an upcoming seminar with Dr. Health. She sees Paul's letter to the Galatians as reflecting what is going on in the church now. A group in the Galatian church taught the laws of Judaism (food laws & circumcision) must be observed to be a follower of Christ. Paul argued for what he feels are essential teachings and nonessential. This is what Dr Health refers to as the "tradition behind the tradition." Through the practices of spiritual disciplines (prayer, reading scripture, communion, etc.) we learn to listen to what the Holy Spirit is revealing to us.

[Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book, underlining or highlighting key passages as you go, only to find that you're underlining or highlighting pretty much the whole thing? This is how I read Elaine Heath's book. Elaine works through the Letter to the Galatians, uncovering such great wisdom that I may have to re-read and re-re-read this book to unpack it all. I recognize this book may not be for everyone, but for anyone serving a church, particularly as a pastor, but also (critically) in leadership as a lay person, this book is a GIFT. It is theologically rich, fundamentally practical (with helpful discussion questions at the end of each chapter), and ultimately hopeful for the church that finds itself in anxious times. Thank you, Elaine, for your wisdom and these words!

[Trey Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament, in 2 Kings 22-23, is the story of the priest Hilkiah, who finds an old scroll in the walls of the temple during a building renovation, right next to the "Pardon our dust" sign. The scroll, which King Josiah has read in front of the public assembly, remembers to the people who they are and what they're for in God - and begins to help them realign their ways to that primary Love, that primary Why.

Elaine Heath's short, simple, spiritually mature book is a scroll in the wall of the Western Church, and the Methodist Church in particular. It challenges us to a much-needed renovation. To surrender to divine re-alignment through a contemplative orientation that doesn't rush to solve things by simply trying to quick-fix the palpable systemic anxiety but that opens up to hold the anxiety so that that we can learn what it is a symptom of: and then make decisions "out of freedom, not fear". Heath's language signals that she has understood these dynamics by undergoing them personally. She guides with deep grace and yet profound urgency and insistence.

You could read this book in an hour, but I recommend that you read it slowly with people around you who care about the Church coming alive in God in the 21st century. It is an invitation to spiritual practice more than it is a prescription, or good medicine, though it is both of those things, too.

[Gary Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book explore the role of tradition in hindering the real work of the church which "is to love well—within and beyond the walls of the church. Our neighbors do not need more preaching, more warnings about hell, or more gimmicks to get them to church on Sunday morning. They need our presence and our love. They need our humility. They need us to be church for them by bearing their burdens; in that way we will indeed fulfill the law of Christ."

The author identifies the love of tradition as a barrier to the kind of changes needed to move out of ur church buildings and into the community. In facing this resistance, she encourages to look to the tradition behind the tradition.

A group of us read this as part of our weekly spiritual formation study, reading one chapter per week. I enjoyed the reading but felt that it needed stronger movement from the general ideas to specific support.

[Angela Go · Rating 3 out of 5]

A study of Galatians which weaves the challenges of change facing modern Christians with Paul's vision of following Jesus. Paul, like Jesus before him, came to shake up the status quo, to show that Christianity wasn't just for the believing Jews, but also the newly exposed Gentiles.

Health gently directs the reader to examine the problems with Christian traditions, not Christianity itself, but the rigid adherence to tradition. She also shares the need to open ourselves to God and learn wise discernment.

Health also delves into changing societal systems and how Christians are called to respond and evolve within God's loving commandments.

Somewhat recommend for those studying Galatians and recommended for those grappling with changes in Christianity.

[MaryMargaret]

Absolutely Fabulous! Such insight for the Church and for individuals in the church! I found ideas that will help me as an individual and, I hope, my local church to rediscover which traditions need to be kept the same or reworked or removed! I am very excited about the process of change in my church.
I also think this book and the discussion questions at the end of each chapter can help businesses and institutions other than religious organizations. Check it out and be open to ways you can encourage and support change in our churches and our environment and even in groups as small and intimate as family groups! Good stuff here!

[Elizabeth Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid if odd entry into congregational contemplative practices. I found Galatians to be an unengaging entry into this discussion. Why not start with congregational needs and longings? Only halfway through the book did I understand (and become invested in) where Heath was taking me. I suppose this is a good introduction to listening for the Spirit's movement if your congregation is highly invested in scripture as the primary source of revelation.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

A great Bible study on the book of Galatians and encouragement to churches who need to hear and navigate Gods work in doing something new in our world and in the church. Wonderful. I believe God and Elaine Heath!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the cultural shift that the apostle Paul faced, and the author applies Paul's words in his letter to the Galatians to the ways that we can handle the cultural shifts facing the Church today.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read. The author looked to upcoming issues and present malaise within the church and offered different ways of looking and acting. So glad to read something helpful.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

A biblical roadmap for organizations embarking on systematic change.

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is 10 years outdated. It's an excellent read... wish the author would update ...

[Cindy DavisClark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a UWF circle study group. Interesting and easy to read and follow.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an UMW Reading Program book, Spiritual Growth category from the 2020 list, being used at Basic for our SS class.
I like how the author brings the message to the church in Galatia to a practical exhortation to the modern church. I will look forward to seeing ideas the SS class brought out come to fruition (after the pandemic).

[Sue Whitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title summarizes the theme of the book well

[Ptaylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and to the point.

[Dave Zuchelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on Paul's letter to the Galatians. Got some good takeaways from it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I deeply appreciated Heaths use of Galatians as a spring board to connect the traditional church with a need for a new way of being the church and doing evangelism