Just Published: The Gospel of Christian Humanism – Christianity without God will appeal to skeptics, agnostics, non-theists, liberal
Christians or former Christians who have difficulty with the mythology and the
concept of god in traditional Christian theology but find the life and ethical
teachings of Jesus compelling as a way of life and a basis for ethics, as well
as traditional Christians who are interested in a different perspective on
Christianity. The author argues that Christian
Humanism is essentially Christian, is justified on historical grounds, and
is consistent with the teachings of Jesus and the early Church Fathers so far
as we can determine with reasonable historical and literary accuracy. He argues for an approach to
Christianity based on rational inquiry, human freedom, individual conscience,
and a commitment to the values taught by Jesus as a guide to ethical decision-making;
and further that these values are not only compatible with Christianity, they
are fundamental to a proper understanding and interpretation of it.
The author discusses the concept of Christian love (agape) as selfless love that affirms the dignity and worth of others as the
guiding principle applied by the Christian to ethical decision making. Agape
underlies the commitment to work for justice even against one’s own interests
by standing with the powerless against the powerful, fighting for human rights,
caring for the stranger in need, feeding the hungry and comforting the dying. The
author concludes with a discussion of the application of Christian love to particular
issues such as economic justice, the social safety net, abortion, immigration
policy, the elderly, and the worker.
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