A well-argued case for Christian reform that lacks diverse voices.
A prominent business consultant and former evangelical confronts Christianity’s decline in this spiritual book.
Raised in an evangelical home, Bergstrand later joined many so-called “exvangelicals” who remain self-described “conscious Christians” but have deconstructed their prior beliefs. As the former chief information officer for the Coca-Cola Company and a current business transformation consultant whose previous books centered on reinventing corporate cultures, the author blends his spiritual journey with his practical know-how on upending antiquated and toxic traditions. To Bergstrand, Christianity has not only failed to engage with young people, but many who had been part of the faith have also “experienced significant personal trauma from Christian churches” that foster a climate where misogynistic, racist, and homophobic ideas thrive. Moreover, as voices of reform are either pushed out or abandon ship, churches are becoming even more “radicalized” as their conservative leadership and membership “double down” in their extreme ideologies. As one who still finds comfort in Jesus’ teachings on love and selflessness, the author embraces a “Jesus-Centric” brand of Christianity that takes on traditional Christian dogmas on topics ranging from gender and sexuality to individualism and scriptural literalism. Just as Jesus challenged the hypocritical religious leadership of his era, so, too, does Bergstrand call for a “reframing” of Christianity to a religion that is less “attached to concepts” and is “connected to people.” Written in an accessible style that is intimately familiar with the niche vocabulary of evangelical culture, this book effectively blends astute analysis with revealing anecdotes from disillusioned Christians and utilizes ample survey data. Text-box vignettes, charts, and a glossary enhance the volume’s engaging narrative. Though the work is ecumenical in its critiques, targeting not only evangelicals, but also Roman Catholic and mainline churches, it ironically centers on White institutions as the face of Christianity. Very little is mentioned of how African American churches or the ever growing Catholic and charismatic churches of Africa and Asia fit into the book’s critiques. Many of these churches fill in a gray area that rejects certain elements of White Christian culture while embracing the religion’s traditional dogmas.
A well-argued case for Christian reform that lacks diverse voices.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Dec. 22, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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