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Reimagining Christianity: Reconnect Your Spirit without Disconnecting Your Mind
Advance Praise
"From his pulpit at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Alan Jones has influenced for good an entire continent of struggling Christians. In this provoking and helpful new book, he extends his voice to those both within and beyond the Church. A thinking Christian in a thoughtless world is what he is and what he aims to make us. This is a very good start."
-- The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes
The Memorial Church, Harvard University, and author of The Good Book
"It used to be that Christian institutions and systems of dogma sustained the spiritual life of Christians. Increasingly, spirituality itself is what sustains everything else. Alan Jones is a pioneer in reimagining a Christian faith that emerges from authentic spirituality. His work stimulates and encourages me deeply."
-- Brian D. McLaren, pastor (crcc.org) and author of A New Kind of Christian
"This is a bracing breath of spiritual fresh air, an intelligent, witty, and passionate reclaiming of the goal of religious practice-the conversion of the heart to kindness and peace as the common faith in which we can all be believers."
-- Sylvia Boorstein, author of Pay Attention, for Goodness' Sake and It's Easier Than You Think
"Alan Jones is the best guide I know to lead us on the thorny but promising path that could lead to the renewal of Christianity."
-- Sam Keen, author of Fire in the Belly
"Compulsively readable, Alan Jones's book is a brave and brilliant attempt to res-cue Christianity from the clutches of the cruel reactionaries into which much of it has fallen. Generous-hearted Christians of all persuasions will cheer him on."
-- The Most Rev. Richard Holloway, retired as primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Bishop of Edinburgh
"Alan Jones combines the power of the mystical, the honesty of the skeptical, and the eagerness of the romantic. His vision of faith and ministry for the time to come will be a gift for many readers."
-- Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia
"A daring call to renew our relation to Christianity-and ourselves-through facing the great questions of the heart that today permeate the life of every serious seeker and the life of our whole endangered world."
-- Jacob Needleman, author of The American Soul and Lost Christianity
"From his pulpit at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, Alan Jones has influenced for good an entire continent of struggling Christians. In this provoking and helpful new book, he extends his voice to those both within and beyond the Church. A thinking Christian in a thoughtless world is what he is and what he aims to make us. This is a very good start."
-- The Reverend Professor Peter J. Gomes
The Memorial Church, Harvard University, and author of The Good Book
"It used to be that Christian institutions and systems of dogma sustained the spiritual life of Christians. Increasingly, spirituality itself is what sustains everything else. Alan Jones is a pioneer in reimagining a Christian faith that emerges from authentic spirituality. His work stimulates and encourages me deeply."
-- Brian D. McLaren, pastor (crcc.org) and author of A New Kind of Christian
"This is a bracing breath of spiritual fresh air, an intelligent, witty, and passionate reclaiming of the goal of religious practice-the conversion of the heart to kindness and peace as the common faith in which we can all be believers."
-- Sylvia Boorstein, author of Pay Attention, for Goodness' Sake and It's Easier Than You Think
"Alan Jones is the best guide I know to lead us on the thorny but promising path that could lead to the renewal of Christianity."
-- Sam Keen, author of Fire in the Belly
"Compulsively readable, Alan Jones's book is a brave and brilliant attempt to res-cue Christianity from the clutches of the cruel reactionaries into which much of it has fallen. Generous-hearted Christians of all persuasions will cheer him on."
-- The Most Rev. Richard Holloway, retired as primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Bishop of Edinburgh
"Alan Jones combines the power of the mystical, the honesty of the skeptical, and the eagerness of the romantic. His vision of faith and ministry for the time to come will be a gift for many readers."
-- Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia
"A daring call to renew our relation to Christianity-and ourselves-through facing the great questions of the heart that today permeate the life of every serious seeker and the life of our whole endangered world."
-- Jacob Needleman, author of The American Soul and Lost Christianity
- GenresNonfictionSpirituality
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 18, 2004
45 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
March 16, 2015
This is an excellent book, although for some reason I enjoyed the first ten chapters more than the last seven.
Here are some of the gleanings from the book I put in my diary/journal:
On the first page of the Preface he writes, “Some Christians make me want to throw up. Others touch and inspire me with their sheer presence and generosity of spirit. Many of them wouldn’t consider me one and, if they’re right, I’m not and grateful not to be one” (p. xi).
Jones asks, “What does reimagining religion involve?” and two of the things he says in answer:
“Moving from the narrowly tribal and exclusive to the transformational and inclusive—seeing God, good, and dignity in those unlike ourselves.
“Exchanging the dogmatic stance of certainty for the way of imagination, which is not frightened by the thought that God is greater than religion” (p. 12).
In the second chapter, “Literalism and Other Headaches,” Jones says, “If Christianity is about what most TV evangelists say it is, I want no part of it. No doubt they would say the same of my version, seeing it as ‘liberal,’ watered down, corrupt” (p. 36).
Jones makes reference to the novel Easter by Michael Arditti, and because of that I ordered it to read on Kindle.
On pages 86-88 Jones writes about “Evangelicals vs Progressives,” and he seems to take a position compatible with my idea of a radiant center.
“The chief hope of some Christians rests with the Day of Judgment, the Second Coming, the Apocalypse they are convinced is imminent—a king of final mass sacrifice. They don’t seem fazed by the promised slaughter of billions. Some Christian Zionists look for a battle in the Valley of Megiddo (Armageddon), which will settle things once and for all. They expect and hope for the end of the world so that the whole mess can be cleared away and God’s elect can make a fresh start” (p. 93). In the next paragraph (same page) he refers to this as “a great cleansing Holocaust.”
In emphasizing one pervasive theme, Jones says that the biblical story “is not of a God of achievement but of a God who makes everyone a neighbor” (p. 101).
“According to the Talmud, Adam and Eve spent only twelve hours in the Garden of Eden” (p. 118). [I had never heard that before!]
The two things we know about God “are that the divine is unknowable and inexhaustible” (p. 142).
Here are some of the gleanings from the book I put in my diary/journal:
On the first page of the Preface he writes, “Some Christians make me want to throw up. Others touch and inspire me with their sheer presence and generosity of spirit. Many of them wouldn’t consider me one and, if they’re right, I’m not and grateful not to be one” (p. xi).
Jones asks, “What does reimagining religion involve?” and two of the things he says in answer:
“Moving from the narrowly tribal and exclusive to the transformational and inclusive—seeing God, good, and dignity in those unlike ourselves.
“Exchanging the dogmatic stance of certainty for the way of imagination, which is not frightened by the thought that God is greater than religion” (p. 12).
In the second chapter, “Literalism and Other Headaches,” Jones says, “If Christianity is about what most TV evangelists say it is, I want no part of it. No doubt they would say the same of my version, seeing it as ‘liberal,’ watered down, corrupt” (p. 36).
Jones makes reference to the novel Easter by Michael Arditti, and because of that I ordered it to read on Kindle.
On pages 86-88 Jones writes about “Evangelicals vs Progressives,” and he seems to take a position compatible with my idea of a radiant center.
“The chief hope of some Christians rests with the Day of Judgment, the Second Coming, the Apocalypse they are convinced is imminent—a king of final mass sacrifice. They don’t seem fazed by the promised slaughter of billions. Some Christian Zionists look for a battle in the Valley of Megiddo (Armageddon), which will settle things once and for all. They expect and hope for the end of the world so that the whole mess can be cleared away and God’s elect can make a fresh start” (p. 93). In the next paragraph (same page) he refers to this as “a great cleansing Holocaust.”
In emphasizing one pervasive theme, Jones says that the biblical story “is not of a God of achievement but of a God who makes everyone a neighbor” (p. 101).
“According to the Talmud, Adam and Eve spent only twelve hours in the Garden of Eden” (p. 118). [I had never heard that before!]
The two things we know about God “are that the divine is unknowable and inexhaustible” (p. 142).
September 17, 2020
A pretty disorganized writing style detracts from what is otherwise a good argument about the need to reconceptualize religious language, theology and practice. The perspective has brief moments of lucidity and sharp turns of phrase that I made sure to underline, but in the end, as someone who left fundamentalist Christianity and is searching for critical entry points back into spirituality and religion, this book consistently felt, at times, either tone deaf or disconnected from the concerns--especially the political concerns--that I have in the endeavor.
One of the author's goals is to tell stories and lean on the wisdom of others, people and thinkers and authors he considers fellow travelers in the spiritual journey. But his reliance on quotes feels less in service to an argument and more like your well-intentioned liberal pastor dad working in his rolodex of quotable quotes he's saved for the past 10 years.
I wouldn't NOT recommend it. And I imagine a majority of readers will find a lot to like in this book. Its emphasis on Christian mysticism seems an especially cogent move and I appreciated that a lot. But I'll be looking elsewhere for guidance.
One of the author's goals is to tell stories and lean on the wisdom of others, people and thinkers and authors he considers fellow travelers in the spiritual journey. But his reliance on quotes feels less in service to an argument and more like your well-intentioned liberal pastor dad working in his rolodex of quotable quotes he's saved for the past 10 years.
I wouldn't NOT recommend it. And I imagine a majority of readers will find a lot to like in this book. Its emphasis on Christian mysticism seems an especially cogent move and I appreciated that a lot. But I'll be looking elsewhere for guidance.
September 8, 2013
This book is full of wisdom but I found it difficult to read because of the overwhelming number of quotations--important though they were. I wished they'd been footnoted, rather than put in the main text.
Good book, though, about the importance of seeing Scripture as myth and story about a particular people which points to the human condition for all peoples. I appreciated the author's inclusion of other religions, atheists, and agnostics, as important and loved by God in a mysterious process none of us really understands.
I also resonated with author's story about his early beginnings--born in England--helped me (also born and raised in England) to appreciate my roots and where some of my attitudes originate.
Good book, though, about the importance of seeing Scripture as myth and story about a particular people which points to the human condition for all peoples. I appreciated the author's inclusion of other religions, atheists, and agnostics, as important and loved by God in a mysterious process none of us really understands.
I also resonated with author's story about his early beginnings--born in England--helped me (also born and raised in England) to appreciate my roots and where some of my attitudes originate.
December 29, 2008
If - like many - you've been tempted to dismiss Christianity as a judgemental, patriarchal Western religion but - like me - have longed to see it as a mystical, metaphorical and compassionate process, this book is for you.
July 6, 2011
I've only read the preface so far but I LOVED it. Resonated greatly. Onwards...
Done. Liked it a lot.
Done. Liked it a lot.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews