If the Church Were Christian: Rediscovering the Values of Jesus

by Philip Gulley

Overview

“[Philip Gulley’s] vision of Christianity is grounded, gripping, and filled with uncommon sense. He is building bridges instead of boundaries, and such wisdom is surely needed now.” —Richard Rohr, O.F.M, author of Everything Belongs

Quaker minister Philip Gulley, author of If Grace Is True and If God Is Love, returns with If the Church Were Christian: a challenging and thought-provoking examination of the author’s vision for today’s church… if Christians truly followed the core values of Jesus Christ. Fans of Shane Claiborne, Rob Bell, and unChristian will find much to discuss in If the Church Were Christian, as will anyone interested in the future of this institution.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780061698767
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	02/02/2010
Pages:	212
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Philip Gulley is a Quaker minister, writer, husband, and father. He is the bestselling author of Front Porch Tales, the acclaimed Harmony series, and is coauthor of If Grace Is True and If God Is Love. Gulley lives with his wife and two sons in Indiana, and is a frequent speaker at churches, colleges, and retreat centers across the country.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction 1

If the Church Were Christian...

1 Jesus Would Be a Model for Living Rather Than an Object of Worship 11

2 Affirming Our Potential Would Be More Important Than Condemning Our Brokenness 29

3 Reconciliation Would Be Valued over Judgment 49

4 Gracious Behavior Would Be More Important Than Right Belief 67

5 Inviting Questions Would Be Valued More Than Supplying Answers 85

6 Encouraging Personal Exploration Would Be More Important Than Communal Uniformity 103

7 Meeting Needs Would Be More Important Than Maintaining Institutions 121

8 Peace Would Be More Important Than Power 139

9 It Would Care More About Love and Less About Sex 157

10 This Life Would Be More Important Than the Afterlife 173

A Closing Word 187

Discussion Questions 193

What People are Saying About This

John Shelby Spong

“Philip Gulley separates wheat from chaff, experience from explanation and purpose from function in this book. He calls the Jesus message into a new vision - one that has both power and integrity.”

Shane Claiborne

“Gulley puts the Christ back in Christian. This manifesto is a call not just to worship Jesus, but to follow him. It asks the daring question, “What if Christians actually began to take their Christ seriously?” The answer to that question could change the world.”

Marcus Borg

“Filled with memorable, insightful and revealing stories. I recommend it.”

Editorial Reviews

Gulley is most widely known for his homespun and humorous stories in his best-selling Front Porch Tales as well as the heartwarming "Harmony" series of novels. A Quaker minister, he here presents his third book on religion, deliberately and carefully laying down his beliefs, knowing that many Christians will vehemently disagree with his views on salvation, Jesus, and organized religion. He imagines what the Church would be like if Christians were more concerned about following Jesus's example than judging others or believing the right doctrine. His effortless and uncomplicated style allows for easy reading over some heavy material. The questions he has placed in a section at the end of the book are obviously meant to facilitate group discussion. VERDICT While Gulley is convincing, most traditional Christians will have a hard time getting past his admission that he no longer believes in the basic tenets of Christianity, such as the virgin birth, the divinity of Jesus, or the Trinity. Christian readers accepting of Gulley's nontraditional views and interested in issues of social justice will be attracted to this book.—Holly S. Hebert, Rochester Coll. Lib., MI

Library Journal

Filled with memorable, insightful and revealing stories. I recommend it.

Marcus Borg

Philip Gulley separates wheat from chaff, experience from explanation and purpose from function in this book. He calls the Jesus message into a new vision - one that has both power and integrity.

John Shelby Spong

Gulley puts the Christ back in Christian. This manifesto is a call not just to worship Jesus, but to follow him. It asks the daring question, “What if Christians actually began to take their Christ seriously?” The answer to that question could change the world.

Shane Claiborne

Filled with memorable, insightful and revealing stories. I recommend it.

Marcus J. Borg

Gulley’s newest book is thoughtful, insightful and a joy to read.

Indianapolis Star

Gulley has done a fine job pinpointing the flaws of the Christian churches and suggesting transformative paths to follow.

Spirituality and Practice