Note to readers: Below is an outline of my thinking on this subject. In each of the ten sections, I expect to write a series of 800-1000 word pieces. Some of these will be descriptions of individuals, events, or organizations. I hope to include pictures.
I welcome any feedback as to content and organization. I especially welcome any help directing me to resources, articles, books, or individuals that might enrich the manuscript I am hoping to write.
Tell me what you think.
Book Title to be Determined (Ideas?)
An interesting and accessible (that is, non-technical) description of the meaning of living as a follower of Jesus today, drawing from biblical texts, current events, and personal stories. This presentation will not shy away from recognizing the many ways the Christian community falls short of our ideals. But the overall goal is to offer a compelling version of what it means to be a Christian today so as to strengthen the resolve of the believer, respond to the questions of the skeptic, and open a fresh way forward to the person for whom Christian faith and practice is an emerging opportunity.
Chapter One: Christian Faith and Practice Today
The personal status of Christian faith and practices today, with recent decline in Europe and North America and recent expansion in Africa and elsewhere. The presence of Christian ideas and values in the various cultures. The challenges that arise from both personal experience and from cultural trends.
Chapter Two: The Appeal of the Christian Gospel
Historically, people have been attracted to Christianity by its rationality (how it explains things), its ethics (how it treats the earth and its inhabitants), its experience (how it brings meaning and joy to human life), and its esthetic (how it empowers goodness and beauty in people and organizations)
Chapter Three: Jesus: Life, Death, and Resurrection
Here is a simple and straightforward narrative, without critiquing or re-writing the gospel narratives but recognizing some of the problems of authorship and historicity. The focus will be on the content of his teaching and the impact of his encounters with people. Certainly, his death, burial, and resurrection will be at the center of attention.
Chapter Four: Christian Ideas
Three fundamental ideas (or doctrines) lie at the center of Christian faith and practice: creation, incarnation, and resurrection (the renewal of all things). These ideas give rise to a passion for human dignity, freedom, justice, and accountability.
Chapter Five: Christian Practices
What Christian people do when we gather (and how these things shape us as individuals and as a community) include silence, prayer, music, testimony, affirmation, and confession, sometimes led by trained professionals and sometimes led by talented lay persons.
Chapter Six: Christian Behaviors
What Christian people do when we scatter (and how these behaviors shape communities, nations, and the world) include truth telling, forgiveness, hospitality, work, and service.
Chapter Seven: Christian Festivals
What most people know about Christianity comes from the witness to (and participation in) three festivals: the weekly festival of Sunday, the annual festival of Christmas, and the annual festival of Easter.
Chapter Eight: Christian Texts
Most Christians have been shaped by famous and powerful Christians texts: included are selections from Genesis, Exodus, Psalms, Isaiah, Micah, Mathew, John, First Corinthians, Ephesians, and Revelation. Celebrating the insight and influence, the beauty and lasting power of this literature.
Chapter Nine: Christian Ministries
Many encounter Christianity primarily through organizations, such as choirs, choruses and concerts, publishing houses, relief agencies, schools, colleges an2d universities, radio and television, and political and social advocacy.
Chapter Ten: Christian Transformation Today
The potential of Christian faith and practice to transform individuals, families, communities, and nations in the human journey to a more just, joyful, and sustainable environment, thus enabling the human race to survive and thrive, to the glory of God and the Common Good.
