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Saving God from Religion: A Minister's Search for Faith in a Skeptical Age
A revelatory manifesto on how we can reclaim faith from abstract doctrines and rigid morals to find God in the joys and ambiguities of everyday life, from the acclaimed author of Saving Jesus from the Church
People across the theological and political spectrum are struggling with what it means to say that they believe in God. For centuries, Christians have seen him as a deity who shows favor to some and dispenses punishment to others according to right belief and correct behavior. But this transactional approach to a God “up there”—famously depicted by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel—no longer works, if it ever did, leaving an increasing number of Christians upset, disappointed, and heading for the exits.
In this groundbreaking, inspiring book, Robin R. Meyers, the senior minister of Oklahoma City’s Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, shows how readers can move from a theology of obedience to one of consequence. He argues that we need to stop seeing our actions as a means for pleasing a distant God and rediscover how God has empowered us to care for ourselves and the world. Drawing on stories from his decades of active ministry, Meyers captures how the struggles of ordinary people hint at how we can approach faith as a radical act of trust in a God who is all around us, even in our doubts and the moments of life we fear the most.
People across the theological and political spectrum are struggling with what it means to say that they believe in God. For centuries, Christians have seen him as a deity who shows favor to some and dispenses punishment to others according to right belief and correct behavior. But this transactional approach to a God “up there”—famously depicted by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel—no longer works, if it ever did, leaving an increasing number of Christians upset, disappointed, and heading for the exits.
In this groundbreaking, inspiring book, Robin R. Meyers, the senior minister of Oklahoma City’s Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, shows how readers can move from a theology of obedience to one of consequence. He argues that we need to stop seeing our actions as a means for pleasing a distant God and rediscover how God has empowered us to care for ourselves and the world. Drawing on stories from his decades of active ministry, Meyers captures how the struggles of ordinary people hint at how we can approach faith as a radical act of trust in a God who is all around us, even in our doubts and the moments of life we fear the most.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published January 28, 2020
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1022 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 26, 2025
Very sermon-y with lots of interesting stories. In some areas I wish there was more of a direction or focused point, but it was still a very enjoyable listen about the God that surrounds us (rather than the God above us).
June 9, 2020
A remarkably compact book that covers a lot of ground. Meyers combines a number of interesting styles in this book - there were parts of the book that felt like it could be delivered directly from a pulpit, and other sections that were citing poets, philosophers, and scientists rapid-fire. Overall, Meyers presents an engaging view of a progressive pastor in the middle of conservative Oklahoma, while also speaking candidly about aspects of organized religion he sees as being a barrier for nonbelievers to know God.
One of the central themes that I took away from this is that the original teachings of Jesus Christ focus on the practice (orthopraxis) versus the theology/thinking (orthodoxy), but that has become inverted in modern American Christian living. I don't think I follow all of his arguments to their logical conclusion - the commentary on the practice of prayer being more important than the act of prayer doesn't fully settle for me, even though I understand his examples of praying for a loved one's life and ultimately not having that prayer answered.
One of the more grating aspects of this book is Meyers' frequent usage of quantum physics, and interestingly, quantum field theory, to argue for some kind of intrinsic interconnectedness in the sense of a luminous web that connects everything together. I think this is from my own bias as a physicist, having seen quantum theories be repeatedly abused by people from all different intellectual positions. However, I know that the earliest forms of physics were studied for this purpose in philosophy (ie, metaphysics), so I don't want to be too hasty to dismiss all of it.
Would definitely recommend this to people who are interested in better understanding some of the aspects of the progressive Christian left, regardless of your beliefs.
One of the central themes that I took away from this is that the original teachings of Jesus Christ focus on the practice (orthopraxis) versus the theology/thinking (orthodoxy), but that has become inverted in modern American Christian living. I don't think I follow all of his arguments to their logical conclusion - the commentary on the practice of prayer being more important than the act of prayer doesn't fully settle for me, even though I understand his examples of praying for a loved one's life and ultimately not having that prayer answered.
One of the more grating aspects of this book is Meyers' frequent usage of quantum physics, and interestingly, quantum field theory, to argue for some kind of intrinsic interconnectedness in the sense of a luminous web that connects everything together. I think this is from my own bias as a physicist, having seen quantum theories be repeatedly abused by people from all different intellectual positions. However, I know that the earliest forms of physics were studied for this purpose in philosophy (ie, metaphysics), so I don't want to be too hasty to dismiss all of it.
Would definitely recommend this to people who are interested in better understanding some of the aspects of the progressive Christian left, regardless of your beliefs.
January 5, 2021
This was a remarkable book. Robin's prose is beautiful. He truly embodies a lifelong connection to the mysterious side of Christianity. It's sometimes esoteric, but also very grounded to the here and now.
His conclusion was inpiring.
His conclusion was inpiring.
April 10, 2020
A spectacular meditation on deconstructing the Evangelical view of God and rebuilding something useful in its place. My mind is BLOWN. I need to re-read this.
August 4, 2020
A must read for anyone serious about ministry, social phase change, the gospel message and what it means to meet the living God
June 7, 2022
Where to start?
How about here? This book may be about Saving God From Religion, but who is going to save religion from Robin Meyers?
Instead of reading this prideful, hilariously heretical book… I would recommend the Bible. Despite what this book repeatedly says, the Bible is relevant to today. If you’re looking for answers, it can be tempting to read something that seems to appeal perfectly and not ask for any real change. But in truth: God loves us—and we are all deeply sinful. He loves us and welcomes us with open arms; he guides our way and has prepared a meal for us at his table. The eradication of God—or perhaps more accurately—personifying of him, only weakens this image, weakens us, and does God an injustice. Despite what this book seems to imply, the majority of traditional Christians are not all judgmental or out to get those different from them. Robin Meyers and his church is not the only group out there that will welcome people, even if it does feel like that’s what he’s saying…
Don’t listen to me. Don’t listen to RM. Read the Bible and decide for yourself.
How about here? This book may be about Saving God From Religion, but who is going to save religion from Robin Meyers?
Instead of reading this prideful, hilariously heretical book… I would recommend the Bible. Despite what this book repeatedly says, the Bible is relevant to today. If you’re looking for answers, it can be tempting to read something that seems to appeal perfectly and not ask for any real change. But in truth: God loves us—and we are all deeply sinful. He loves us and welcomes us with open arms; he guides our way and has prepared a meal for us at his table. The eradication of God—or perhaps more accurately—personifying of him, only weakens this image, weakens us, and does God an injustice. Despite what this book seems to imply, the majority of traditional Christians are not all judgmental or out to get those different from them. Robin Meyers and his church is not the only group out there that will welcome people, even if it does feel like that’s what he’s saying…
Don’t listen to me. Don’t listen to RM. Read the Bible and decide for yourself.
May 15, 2020
While Saving God from Religion by Robin R. Meyers has some good points to make regarding dogma and doctrine of organized religion, he also tends to go off topic in ways that lead the reader away from the point he is trying to make, thus losing the actual subject and failing to make his point at all. Generally he seems to do this by gently leading one through his initial musings to a place where you think you understand and can see the direction he is headed only to find out that it is time for a lesson in quantum physics. As this is not a simple science, one is then hopelessly lost in detail. He then gently brings his argument to a close, leaving a reader like me wondering where it all went.
One example of his method is his exegesis of the story of the woman who adds leaven to flour. (MT 13:33) Meyers begins by explaining the meaning of leaven to Jesus' listeners versus the meaning we use today. Leaven, he says, has a negative connotation, whereas we think of the crucial addition of yeast to make bread. Ok, I think I understand, but he turns this into how this relates to Easter, with the many expectations of a congregation hearing an Easter sermon. Fine, let's see where this goes, I think to myself. But several pages later he has turned this into the concept of "nonlocality" and a comparison to quantum entanglement. While in this case he did not get into physics, he still had me hopelessly lost. I could have done without the Easter detour since it made absolutely no sense.
I came to my own conclusions regarding saving God from religion in MY life, with one or two things he wrote, but his escaped me.
One example of his method is his exegesis of the story of the woman who adds leaven to flour. (MT 13:33) Meyers begins by explaining the meaning of leaven to Jesus' listeners versus the meaning we use today. Leaven, he says, has a negative connotation, whereas we think of the crucial addition of yeast to make bread. Ok, I think I understand, but he turns this into how this relates to Easter, with the many expectations of a congregation hearing an Easter sermon. Fine, let's see where this goes, I think to myself. But several pages later he has turned this into the concept of "nonlocality" and a comparison to quantum entanglement. While in this case he did not get into physics, he still had me hopelessly lost. I could have done without the Easter detour since it made absolutely no sense.
I came to my own conclusions regarding saving God from religion in MY life, with one or two things he wrote, but his escaped me.
May 27, 2023
Thought provoking. Need a physical copy to read again.
November 11, 2023
I saw the following quotation on social media and it led me to this book:
"Consider this remarkable fact: In the Sermon on the Mount, there is not a single word about what to believe, only words about what to do and how to be. By the time the Nicene Creed is written, only three centuries later, there is not a single word in it about what to do and how to be--*only* words about what to believe."
I was not disappointed.
Reverend Meyers is the senior minister of the Mayflower Congregational Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, OK, the site of the 1995 domestic terrorism attack that killed 168 people. Nineteen of the dead were children in the day care center. An event like that changes a community, some for the better, some for the worse. The Mayflower church community chose love, and the themes of God and community, and God *as* community, repeat throughout this short book. In Meyers's words, we have to get God "down off the ceiling." The old, tired view of God as a sort of cosmic Santa Claus ("he knows if you've been bad or good") isn't serving anyone in the pews, and is probably a major force in driving people out.
"Consider this remarkable fact: In the Sermon on the Mount, there is not a single word about what to believe, only words about what to do and how to be. By the time the Nicene Creed is written, only three centuries later, there is not a single word in it about what to do and how to be--*only* words about what to believe."
I was not disappointed.
Reverend Meyers is the senior minister of the Mayflower Congregational Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, OK, the site of the 1995 domestic terrorism attack that killed 168 people. Nineteen of the dead were children in the day care center. An event like that changes a community, some for the better, some for the worse. The Mayflower church community chose love, and the themes of God and community, and God *as* community, repeat throughout this short book. In Meyers's words, we have to get God "down off the ceiling." The old, tired view of God as a sort of cosmic Santa Claus ("he knows if you've been bad or good") isn't serving anyone in the pews, and is probably a major force in driving people out.
April 26, 2022
I have been struggling to find alternatives to the fundamentalist, nationalist, conservative, Calvinist, “reformed” lies that I both learned and parroted back until 2020. It is so comforting to hear (via audiobook) that the things that bothered me since childhood were things that have bothered people for hundreds of years. That my instinctive gut rejection of head knowledge as a middle schooler was GOOD, not something I should stuff down with all my other doubts and sexuality and longings. I am so thank for this book and the mentions of other authors I can now go read as a result. Thank you Robin, for writing something I very much needed. This is the book, at the right time, that the Luminous Web placed in a podcast that I then borrowed from my local library that I can now point to as being a puzzle piece toward reclaiming what I believe.
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December 15, 2023There are some interesting things here, but nothing that I would call surprising in the kinds of circles Meyers seems to be in (based on citations/references, at least). There are some very strong assumptions about who the audience is. I think I wanted more generosity overall and more willingness to hold complexity.
Had to try to tamp down my annoyance throughout towards the mystical (and sometimes incorrect) use of quantum physics & nonlinear dynamics, dismissal of/disdain for the people in the place he lives & works, and simplified at best history of Oklahoma. Also other assorted things that were incorrect or very caricatured.
cw for 4/19/95:
Had to try to tamp down my annoyance throughout towards the mystical (and sometimes incorrect) use of quantum physics & nonlinear dynamics, dismissal of/disdain for the people in the place he lives & works, and simplified at best history of Oklahoma. Also other assorted things that were incorrect or very caricatured.
cw for 4/19/95:
July 24, 2022
I enjoyed Meyer's word-smithing very much--he's a fine writer. He also blended the personal and the theological very well. This is a great book for well-informed people trying to hang onto a shred (or even a bit more) of faith, like me. On the other hand, I guess I'm too much of a skeptic to just dive in and embrace this. Still, a fine effort.
September 13, 2022
In advance of a book study group that starts next month, I read the book in just a few days. I found myself underlining and marking many poignant and profound passages. It is, indeed, a great book for those of us who no longer attend church or accept organized religion. It focuses on how we can be rather than the rules we must follow. I loved it.
December 9, 2023
Robin Meyers made some great points that stuck with me - especially in the beginning - but his tendency to go from topic to topic lost me quite a few times. I found the organization to be confusing which is disappointing because the topic is really interesting to me.
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May 3, 2021One of the Progressive Christianity theolog books ever wrtitten.
May 25, 2024
In the tradition of Rohr, Barbara Brown Taylor (whom he quotes widely) and Mary Oliver, this progressive minister challenges the reader in a powerful way.
March 26, 2022
Saving God from Religion has been one of the most inspiring reads. I was completely enthralled from the start to the end. Meyers provides an honest and vulnerable insight into the ways in which “religion” is changing/ failing, and he provides hope and comfort for the future. I can’t even put into words how much this book helped me to feel seen, heard, and validated in the changes/ deconstruction of my faith that I’m experiencing … and I have an English writing degree so that says a lot! I definitely recommend this.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews