The Cathedral of the World: A Universalist Theology

by Forrest Church

Described by Cornel West as “a towering public intellectual and the leading universalist philosopher of his generation,” Forrest Church was one of the preeminent liberal theologians of our time. His final gift, The Cathedral of the World , draws from the entire span of Church’s life’s work to leave behind a clear statement of his universalist theology and liberal faith. Giving new voice to the power of liberal religion, Church invites all seekers to enter the Cathedral of the World, home to many windows but only one Light.


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Spirituality

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Rev. Forrest Church served for almost three decades as senior minister and was minister of public theology at All Souls Unitarian Church in New York City. He wrote or edited twenty-five books, including Love & Death.

Reviews

[Drew Reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since becoming a UU, I have been intrigued with reading what a UU theologian can write about. While some topics are outdated, and there are plenty of topics that I would like to see written about, this was a good primer on liberal religious traditions.

[Alex Long · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good, quick read. I liked most of the sermons.
I see many reviews by people, who came to this book hoping to find out exactly what universalism was, being disappointed.
If you want just a brief intro, modern Unitarian Universalism evolved out of liberal mainline protestant Christian movements, incorporates post-Enlightenment knowledge, and treats the American intellectual tradition as the primary sacred tradition. So like the intro to the Constitution and the writings of the Transcendentalists hugely inform their basic assumptions. It's worship style is basically Christian, it's approach to social justice is basically that of liberal Christianity and Judaism, but it's open to truth wherever it may be found regardless of sources or labels. It's emphasis is much more on free-thought and generous action than anything else.
Ontologically queer is my term for it, if that's helpful anyone else.

[Matt Rusteika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some specific questions about Unitarian Universalism which this book answered to my satisfaction. Skip right to the theological sections and ignore the part about the American Creed, which rings comically hollow in light of an honest reading of American history through 2019.

[Rica Kaufel · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a certain irony in the fact that 75% of a book entitled "The Cathedral of the World: A Universalist Theology" are very specific to the US, and not universal at all... sigh.

[D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book made me wish I could have known Mr. Church personally, I don't feel it delivered what it advertised. It's essentially a "Greatest Hits" collection of excerpts from Church's previous writings that he felt most spoke to his universalism. But the material doesn't come together in a cohesive way to present a unified theology -- at least, not for me. I'm inclined to cut the author some slack given that he was, you know, dying when he put the book together. But if anything, I think it functions more as an introduction to Church's unique brand of liberal Christianity -- worthwhile on its own terms -- than a comprehensive "here's how and why one should live as a universalist". Regardless of its function, I found the book to be, sadly, incomplete.

[Hal · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Church has been as influential in the UU denomination as I think he has, this book explains how the denomination has turned from humanism to deism. While there is much to agree with in this book, I cannot agree that it makes sense to define god any way you want, and thus since all these different people believe in some kind of god, be it love, a creator, an overlord, or whatever, we are just looking at different aspects of the same god. Sorry, Forrest, that just doesn't fly for me. Clearly Church believes in a creator. I don't think there is any such being out there.

It was worth reading tau understand how some UUs are thinking, but it did not resonate with me.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I skimmed some of these brief essays and sermons, but overall, Rev. Church seemed like a highly intelligent man of good will. Universalism tends to be the forgotten half of Unitarian Universalism, so it was interesting to read about his theological take on that particular tradition. Rev. Forest imagined one of the coolest metaphors about religion I've ever read, the eponymous 'Cathedral of the World." Imagine one light, he writes, with many windows. I couldn't do it justice. Coolest image ever. Read it yourself http://www.uuworld.org/ideas/articles...

[Joey Dye · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Admittedly, not what I was expecting from the subtitle; but the thoughts, insights, and reflections offered here are wonderful. I highly recommend this book. Not for those hoping for an explanation of Universalist theology, but for those who want a glimpse of that theology lived and preached--read the book!

[Lyndon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still searching

I read this book on recommendation of a friend as I seek to understand UU thinking and theology. I find I have just as many questions at the end as I did before I started.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this with UU congregation book group. Lots to think about and try to put into practice.

[RAD · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Review Forthcoming)