A Heretic's Guide to Eternity

by Spencer Burke; Barry Taylor

• ISBN13: 9780787983598
• ISBN10: 0787983594
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-08-01
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

"It's easy for inquisition-launchers to go on fault-finding missions; they have lots of practice and they're really good at it. What's more challenging, and regarding this book, much more worthwhile, is to instead go on a truth-finding mission. And yes, even in a book with 'heretic' in the title, I believe any honest reader can find much truth worth seeking." -From the Foreword by Brian D. McLaren "Some Christians have the ability to make you want to be a Christian just by being who they are. They make the gospel alive, real, healing, and utterly attractive. I think Spencer Burke is just one of those people. In his writings he shares himself and his vision, -Fr. Richard Rohr, Center for Action and Contemplation, Albuquerque, New Mexico "If Spencer Burke is a heretic, it's not because he's teaching dangerous doctrine, but because he asks the questions about faith that today's sensibilities naturally raise. Spencer is a winsome walking companion for those who find traditional dogma too narrow. It's a thoughtful conversation." -Marshall Shelley, editor, Leadership Journal; vice president, Christianity Today

Author Biography

Spencer Burke is the creator of The OOZE.com, which receives 200,000 unique visitors a month, and of ETREK.com, a website facilitating the formation and curriculum for alternative learning groups. He is the host of Soularize: A Learning Party, which is the original postmodern/emergent annual conference.

Barry Taylor– wears many hats–he is a teacher, musician, writer, and speaker. He lectures on a wide variety of subjects from advertising and consumer culture to art and postmodern spirituality. He has a master's degree in cross-cultural studies and a Ph.D. in intercultural studies, both focusing on the relationship between popular culture and issues of faith.

Table of Contents

Foreword by Phyllis Tickle.

Introduction.

SECTION ONE. QUESTIONING GRACE: THE FUTURE OF FAITH.

Chapter 1. Jesus Beyond Christianity.

Interlude 1 What is a Heretic.

Chapter 2. Grace Beyond Religion.

Chapter 3. Grace and the God Factor.

SECTION TWO. QUESTIONING WHAT WE KNOW: NEW HORIZONS OF FAITH.

Chapter 4. The End of the World as We Know It.

Interlude 2 The First Heretic.

Chapter 5. Grace Held Hostage.

Chapter 6. Faith Remixed: The Fine Art of Bricolage.

SECTION THREE. LIVING IN GRACE: MYSTICAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Chapter 7. Jesus the Heretic.

Interlude 3 The Inquisitions.

Chapter 8. The Mystery of God Grace, and Salvation.

Chapter 9. All We Need Is Grace.

Interlude 4 Torture and Death.

Conclusion: Heresy as a Way of Life.

Notes.

The Authors.

Acknowledgments.

Index.