If the Church Were Christian : Rediscovering the Values of Jesus

by Gulley, Philip

• ISBN13: 9780061698774
• ISBN10: 0061698776
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-02-08
• Publisher: Harperone

Summary

The largest group in American religious life may be the disillusioned--people who have been involved in the church, respect Jesus, but question what Christianity has become. In "If the Church Were Christian" Philip Gulley provides a profound picture of what the church could look like if it refocused on the priorities of Jesus.

Author Biography

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. Visit the author at www.philipgulleybooks.com or www.philipgulley.org.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. ix
Introduction	p. 1
If the Church Were Christian...
Jesus Would Be a Model for Living Rather Than an Object of Worship	p. 11
Affirming Our Potential Would Be More Important Than Condemning Our Brokenness	p. 29
Reconciliation Would Be Valued over Judgment	p. 49
Gracious Behavior Would Be More Important Than Right Belief	p. 67
Inviting Questions Would Be Valued More Than Supplying Answers	p. 85
Encouraging Personal Exploration Would Be More Important Than Communal Uniformity	p. 103
Meeting Needs Would Be More Important Than Maintaining Institutions	p. 121
Peace Would Be More Important Than Power	p. 139
It Would Care More About Love and Less About Sex	p. 157
This Life Would Be More Important Than the Afterlife	p. 173
A Closing Word	p. 187
Discussion Questions	p. 193
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