Ministers David Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy, along with an all-star cast of Bible scholars and top church teachers, provide a primer to a church movement that encourages every Christian to “live the questions” instead of “forcing the answers.” Based on the bestselling DVD course of the same name, Living the Questions: The Wisdom of Progressive Christianity includes commentary from such bestselling authors as Diana Butler Bass, John Shelby Spong, Marcus Borg, John Dominic Crossan, Brian McLaren, and others. Tackling issues of faith and controversial subjects such as the church’s position on homosexuality, Living the Questions is the most comprehensive, indeed the only survey of progressive Christianity in existence today.
David M. Felten was trained at Boston University School of Theology and Jeff Procter-Murphy at Claremont School of Theology. They have more than forty years combined experience in local church ministry. David and Jeff continue to collaborate on sermons and new resources for www.livingthequestions.com, a DVD series and curriculum in use by nearly six thousand churches and other groups across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand to bring together, equip, and reeducate thinking Christians.
Table of Contents
Preface xi
Section 1 Journey
1 An Invitation to Journey 3
2 Taking the Bible Seriously 11
3 Thinking Theologically 22
4 Stories of Creation 31
5 Lives of Jesus 40
6 A Passion for Christ: Paul the Apostle 51
7 Out into the World: Challenges Facing Progressive Christians 60
“Among the most dynamic and talented clergy in the world, David Felten and Jeff Procter-Murphy speak with high levels of credibility to the deep and abiding human hunger that yearns for a Christian future.”
Brian McLaren
“I’m so grateful for Living the Questions. These progressive voices offer less rigid and more expansive approaches to Christian faith, and make room for people who practice critical thinking and question the gatekeepers. They help us see that questioning the gatekeepers is exactly what Jesus was all about.”
Walter Brueggemann
“A welcome book that is bold (without being contentious) and courageous (without needing to be triumphant), Felten and Procter-Murphy give voice to a faith that provides a profound alternative to the dominant ideology of ‘American Christianity.’ Attention should be paid!”
Robin R. Meyers
“Most people in church grew up listening to those who claimed to have all the answers. Who knew that the questions were more interesting, that ‘living’ them is true faithfulness. Felten and Procter-Murphy have given the class such superb resources that no one is in a hurry to graduate.”
Fred C. Plumer
“This has been sorely needed for years. Felten and Procter-Murphy provide an unusual clarity about the issues that commonly confuse and divide people in our churches today and then open a pathway to a more vital and even exciting way to approach the Christian faith in the 21st century.”
Marcus Borg
“A rich, wise, helpful and important book—virtually a manifesto of progressive Christianity.”
