Unsettled Christianity

The title is always up to change, but this one seems to encapsulate what I feel about this project. Another main title might be “Contemplative Revelation” or with the first word a verb, as in contemplating.

This book comes from a previous project while in seminary, but has festered for a while.

I tend to view Scripture as a dynamic thing — active and action causing. While on the academic side, I love to study it; however, on the theological side, I have come to appreciate the hearing of Scripture in a variety of ways, especially in litany prayers and throughout the liturgy. Taking this passion for hearing and performing Scripture to the next level, I feel  Revelation is a book hidden under our constant wars of what the author means or doesn’t mean or will mean. I want to see Revelation used for something different than consigning sinners to hell while the righteous have a ticket off this rock. I think it is much more than that, so much more.

This book, then, becomes useful for those who engage in the spiritual discipline of praying. I have taken the entire book of Revelation (maybe I miss a verse here and there) and turned it into a living prayer. In other words, I want congregations to use it as they build their Sunday services, groups to use it as they pray in unison, and individuals to use as they lay awake at three in the morning, stressed and worried about the coming day.

The length, I hope, is relatively short. I would really like 125 pages or so. Something  handy.

My goal is to have it completed and turned in to the publisher (Wipf and Stock) on 1 November. One of my personal goals is to attempt to write two books a year — an academic book and one for the Church. With my upcoming phd work to commence in September, I will most likely only get through this one this year. I have an idea for an academic book, one I’d like to pursue next year. We will see, I reckon. Hint(s): Virgil. Lucan. Jesus. Mark. Cato. Matthew. Luke. John. Plutarch. Presentation. Myth. Legend. Bios.

I was told by one publisher that there is not much of a market for this type of book — devotional — and that may be the case. Of course, who would have though the bible would become a national bestseller in Norway. As I did with my previous two books, I will post regarding it.

We are finally on Kindle which you can get here! Thanks to all of those who have sent in personal notes of encouragement!

There’s a stereotype of a young, zealous Christian who feels called to the ministry as a pastor, goes to seminary, and then loses his faith as he studies the writings of all those intellectuals and theologians. The stereotype may not be accurate, but there are those who fit this description, not to mention many who leave home for college as passionate Christians and come home unbelievers. More importantly, that stereotype represents a fear the fear that too much education or contact with those whose beliefs differ from those of a particular community will cause someone to lose their faith.

But there’s another group, much larger, but not heard nearly as frequently. This group consists of people who have gone from the position of fear that creates the stereotype to a position of faith, a faith that is no longer afraid of that outer darkness that looms outside the walls of their religious community. Indeed, they may not perceive any looming darkness at all.

From Fear to Faith, edited by Travis Milam and Joel L. Watts, gives voice to that too often unheard group. It is a collection of essays from those who have lived in fear, have faced the looming dark, collided with their share of brick walls, but have come out with a new-found faith and undismayed trust.

The journeys of faith presented in this book reveal a group deeply insightful and grounded minds, rich in thriving spirituality, joy, and hope. Where there was once trepidation in asking the tough questions of human existence, of the divine relationship with creation, there is now a certain hope found when these authors have struggled to overcome canyons of fear, leaving behind a life of black and white certitude, to live in a beautiful world of gray.

They have learned that having questions and even doubts does not reflect a lack of faith. Rather, hiding in fear from the serious questions indicates a lack of faith in the one who said, “Don’t be afraid.”

Come join in this journey from fear to faith.

You can find it here.

I have a few things to say about it later, after the weekend. For now, however…

Buy the book!

I am very happy about both of these:

Yes, now we have an ISBN for the second book. The first one is heading to Kindle soon!

Thanks to all of you who have made this possible.

And please, buy the books. I need to buy more books.

Seriously, tho… You can pretty well find all you need to know about these books by following the category, Publications.

As a co-editor, I am very glad to have received this: You can pre-order for the next few days our book here.

Many strange things are said and done in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  Many of them are alien to the Christian gospel, even though they are done in the gospel’s name.  Many of them are toxic, destructive both of persons and societies. They march under the banner of Christian fundamentalism.

This interesting and important book  is the chronicle of spiritual journeys that persons have taken from the prisons of fundamentalism [characterized by biblical literalism, anti- science, fear rather than love as the basis of our relationship with God] to the world of catholic (small c), ecumenical churches.  For these persons, it has been a journey from slavery in Egypt to freedom in the Promised Land.

The persons whose stories this book tells, are now living in what they believe to be mature communities of faith, where they are growing spiritually and finding the vocations to which they believe God is calling them.  Several of them have been called to the formal ministries of their churches and have been ordained.  Others have found joy and peace living out their discipleship as lay persons. This important book is their story.

William Boyd Grove
Bishop  (retired)
The United Methodist Church