An Open Christianity?
Why Open Christianity? Christianity is undergoing a reformation. As the late Phillis Tickle pointed out, it does so every 500 years or so. Our last reform began with Martin Luther, priest and professor, in response to abuses of power by the Roman pontiff of his day. The signs are abundant, graying congregations, waning of beliefs, and lackluster religious involvement that is evident to anyone paying attention. Doubling down, shouting louder, threatening damnation, more of the same old same old, are not the answers to revitalization. A paradigm shift is needed. Open Christianity is one option.
Open Christianity Basics Mission Driven. Open Christianity is mission driven rather than belief defined. With Augustine’s First Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 Christianity became defined by a set of beliefs outlined in the Nicene Creed. From that point forward Christianity largely defined by a set of beliefs. Even denominations calling themselves noncreedal, never-the-less have set of beliefs that set them apart from other denominations. It is easily seen on church websites today under the tab entitled “What We Believe,” or something similar. Open Christianity instead downplays the culture of belief and focuses instead on outcomes, or mission accomplishment. But it avoids mission creep by following Jesus’s commandments of loving God and loving neighbor. All else is subordinate. Indeterminant Future. Open Christianity grasps an indeterminant future that unfolds and evolves through the interaction of God’s consciousness cooperating with human consciousness. No Single Best Way. Open Christianity accepts all processes, practices, and disciplines that bring people closer to becoming perfectly loving and therefore toward perfect communing with God. Rational Open Christianity is rational. It avoids supernaturalism while embracing mysticism. It understands the Gospel metaphorically instead of literally and it understands the Scripture as man’s search for and experience of God within the lens of their time and culture. Empowers Transcendence Traditional Christianity empowers transactional motivations through the motifs of original sin, salvation from eternal damnation, eternity in paradise. Open Christianity emphasizes original blessing and empowerment by transcending self-interest to become more fully human hence more Godlike.
Why Write An Open Christianity? Open Christianity is not a new denomination or dogma or creed, instead it is a Christian following that can take many specific approaches. An Open Christianity therefore is not the Open Christianity rather it is one approach to being an Open Christian that can feed the spirit of those who can no longer believe, or be motivated by, or have their heart touched by the belief driven Christianity they have physically left, are losing interest in, or only participate in with “thank you” helpings. An Open Christianity offers a common sense yet Scripturally sound understanding of a nontheistic God, a fully human Jesus, and the evolving possibility for humanity. The book draws upon theology; natural, social, and management sciences; Scripture, and the author’s experience inspired by his 80 plus years of being Christian. For the Christian undergoing or experiencing the deconstruction of traditional beliefs it offers an opportunity to reconstruct a faith-based Christianity for our time.
Excerpts of what clergy have said about the book. “Distills a lifetime of scholarly study, thoughtful reflection, ethical practice, and creative weaving of complex biblical and theological ideas. A volume that will endure, rewarding those who seriously engage with it, by enriching their minds, uplifting their spirits, and calling them to new adventures in faith and life.” -- Rev. Dr. Donald E. Messer, President Emeritus and Henry White Warren Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology, Iliff School of Theology. Denver, CO. “An accessible, concise systematic ecclesiology that lends itself to small group study.” --Rev. Steve Burnett, United Methodist clergy, retired, Colorado Springs, CO. “A book for persons who seek to live authentic and true Christianity in the way and manner of Jesus in the twenty-first century. Seeks to give a fresh new life into an understanding of the term ‘God,’ what that means for persons of faith, built on a foundation of a deeper human understanding of who Jesus really was, what he lived, and taught. A serious resource for those struggling with claims that no longer hold meaning in the modern world. A resource for pastors who want to be open and honest about the issues of faith with the people they serve. Gould is an exceptional lay theologian willing to share his deep concerns with others through his writing.’ --Rev. Rodney Noel Saunders, United Methodist Clergy, retired, Florissant, CO. “Beautifully and thoughtfully integrates many years of reading and personal study into a very timely and helpful resource for people who are searching for a more coherent and compelling expression of Christianity.” --Rev. Mark Feldmeir, Senior Pastor, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Highlands Ranch, CO. “Gives voice to an understanding of Christianity that is refreshing, healthy, and wholesome. Gould’s message is one of hope. Those searching for likeminded fellowship in their progressive understanding of Christianity will find it in this book. Those who cling tightly to unquestioned beliefs will be challenged to open their minds and hearts to the liberating message of the gospel.” --Tom Stella, author, spiritual director, co-founder and director of Soul Link, and former Catholic priest, Colorado Springs, CO.
Excerpts from comments of others regarding the book. “Combines decades of study, small group facilitation, and church leadership to provide a thoughtful expression of today’s problems facing Christianity. Is well suited for small group study, providing a compelling and fresh perspective on faith that avoids the stumbling blocks of supernaturalism and outmoded beliefs that have turned many away from Christianity.” --Dr. Donald Lamm, MD, Research Professor, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ “Challenges Christianity to become the essence and soul of our civic and cultural well-being. Unites across the fences that have divided Christianity into separate religious camps for centuries. It is about what Christianity was meant to be leading to a renewed understanding of God and a better relationship with our fellow human beings.” --Dan Nicholson, MBA, Health Services Entrepreneur, retired, Lino Lakes, MN. “Highly readable contemporary understanding of God, Jesus, and what it means to be human, without supernatural and doctrinal claims rooted in earlier eras. Welcomes questioning, doubt and dialogue, encouraging lifelong exploration and learning. Gould’s journey is a search for truth, relevance and understanding. It seeks to help readers find a new home in a faith that challenges while also making sense. I greatly enjoyed it and can see it serving as a valuable resource for group discussion.” -- Professor Christine E King, PhD, British Historian and university administrator, Exmouth, Devon, United Kingdom.