Description
Book SynopsisCHRIST FOR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS is an engaging and thoughtful inquiry into Christianity for Unitarian Universalists and other spiritual seekers - including sceptics, non-religious people, liberal Christians and those who consider themselves "spiritual but not religious." The book has several purposes. The first is to present Christ in an understandable and compelling way to the increasing number of people who do not consider themselves Christian. The second is to present liberal and progressive Christians with the non-dogmatic way that Unitarian Universalists have viewed Christ through the Bible and personal experience. And the third is to promote active dialogue between non-Christians and the nearly 80% of Americans who identify themselves as Christian. CHRIST FOR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS addresses frank questions with integrity and intellectual honesty, yet, also, presents a sincere and genuine sense of love as embodied in Jesus that is so heartfelt, so unconditional and so revolutionary that it will take your breath away.
Trade Review“Anyone interested in the swiftly moving changes within and among religions today, and in the way they shape and are shaped by social and political events, needs to read this book. McLennan has been around the block more than once and he knows whereof he speaks.” —Harvey Cox, author of The Future of Faith and How to Read the Bible
“If all Scotty McLennan offered in Christ for Unitarian Universalists was his superb chapter on what we know about the historical Jesus, I would still call it required reading for Unitarian Universalists. Yet he gives both those who claim a Christian identity within Unitarian Universalism and those who wouldn’t dream of doing so, a lot more. Even Christians outside of Unitarian Universalism will find in these pages a refreshing perspective on their faith. I cannot recommend Rev. McLennan’s book highly enough.” —Rev. Erik Walker Wikstrom, author of Teacher, Guide, Companion: Rediscovering Jesus in a Secular World
“Scotty McLennan has produced a profoundly personal, theologically deep exploration of key Christian concepts and how they have been used in service to liberal values by Unitarian Universalists, and by respected theologians ranging from the writers of the canonical epistles to Marcus Borg to Martin Luther King Jr. While it is not intended to convert Unitarian Universalists to UU Christianity, it may well open some doors to spiritual exploration and growth that had previously been impenetrable to people who thought Jesus or Christianity had nothing to offer them. This book offers a wonderful opportunity for Unitarian Universalists to open our own internal dialogue about Christianity and its dynamic, living place in our tradition.” —Rev. Dr. Anita Farber-Robertson, co-author of Called to Community: New Directions in Unitarian Universalist Ministry
“Having left Christian orthodoxy, many Unitarian Universalists today hold hurt-filled stereotypes about Christianity. Unchallenged, this cuts many of us off from needed spiritual healing, from deeper dialogue and interfaith collaboration. Even those of us who think we know the heart of those trying to embody the spirit of the living Christ will gain much from this gracefully written, profound apologetic. I know I did. Dare yourself and your atheist friends to read and discuss this book!” —Rev. Dr. John Buehrens, author of Conflagration: How the Transcendentalists Sparked the American Struggle for Racial, Gender, and Social Justice
“Scotty McLennan’s Christ for Unitarian Universalists confronts head-on the doubt and fears that Unitarian Universalists have had about Christianity and re-interprets them through the lens of our liberal religious faith. Written for both Christian and non-Christian Unitarian Universalists, this book is a goldmine of history, theology, and wisdom from his lived experience as college chaplain, Unitarian Universalist minister, and practicing Christian.” —Rev. Kathleen C. Rolenz, editor of Christian Voices in Unitarian Universalism
“As a Unitarian Universalist and a Christian, as a sceptic and a believer, Scotty McLennan has brought together his disparate worlds in a remarkable book. He presents us with thoughtful, serious, and compassionate Christians who live their faith—and question it. His clear, sensible writing and irenic intelligence make this a must for any Unitarian Universalist interested in moving beyond caricatures to real people, however different from most of us.” —Rev. Carl Scovel, author of Never Far from Home: Stories from the Radio Pulpit
Table of ContentsForeword by Harvey Cox
Introduction
1. What does it mean for Unitarian Universalists to talk about the living Christ?
2. Who was and is Jesus, really?
3. The birth story: Why put Christ in Christmas?
4. What’s in the Trinity for us as Unitarians?
5. What significance can we find in crucifixion?
6. What could Christ’s resurrection mean to Unitarian Universalists?
7. What can we do with Jesus Christ’s supposed miracles?
8. What does it mean to be saved? (And is salvation universal?)
9. How can we deal with Jesus Christ as the way, truth, and life?
10. What’s really left of Christianity in the face of Unitarian Universalist rationality and doubt?
11. Could Unitarian Universalists adopt Martin Luther King Jr.’s understanding of Christ?
12. How can Christ help us in our social justice efforts?
13. How might we talk to evangelical Christians about Christ?
14. What can we say to people of other religions (or none) about Christ?
Conclusion
Sources of Epigraphs
Notes
Index
