Philip Gulley

If the Church Were Christian

Rediscovering the Values of Jesus

Talking Points

While many denominations claim to be growing, the largest group in American religious life is the disillusioned - people who have been involved in the church yet see few similarities between the church’s life and the person of Jesus. In the midst of elaborate programming, professional worship teams, and political crusades, they ask, “Is this really what Jesus called us to do?”

While the church has dismissed these people as uncommitted and lacking in faith, perhaps the opposite is true. Their commitment to authentic spirituality over institutional idolatry might the very corrective the church needs. These people respect Jesus, but question what Christianity has become.

While Gulley’s first two books were pure theology, there is much concrete advice here for the church. This is a book preachers will read and discuss even if they don’t agree with Gulley’s theology, a book the Emergent Church, while more conservative than Gulley, will be eager to discuss and apply.

Phil writes a monthly column for Indianapolis Monthly called “Home Again.” He also appears on the Emmy winning Indiana PBS affiliate WFYI show “Across Indiana.”

Description

In If the Church Were Christian, Quaker pastor and author Philip Gulley explores how the church has lost its way. An eye-opening examination of the values of Jesus reveals the extent to which the church has drifted from the teachings of the man who inspired its creation. Many Christians might be surprised to discover how little Jesus had to say about the church, and that he might never have intended to start a new religion..

But the church is here to stay, and Gulley is determined to help the church find its soul. If the church were Christian, Gulley argues, affirming our potential would be more important than condemning our brokenness. If the church were Christian, inviting questions would be valued more than supplying answers. If the church were Christian, meeting needs would be more important than maintaining institutions.

These simple statements return to the heart of what Jesus cared about during his ministry. Gulley provides a profound picture of what the church would look like if it refocused on the real priorities of Jesus.

If the church were Christian…
-Jesus would be a model of living, not an object of worship
-Affirming our potential would be more important than condemning our brokenness
-Reconciliation would be valued over judgment
-Gracious behavior would be more important than right belief
-Inviting questions would be valued over supplying answers
-Encouraging personal exploration would be more important than communal uniformity
-Meeting needs would be valued over maintaining institutions
-Peace would be more important than power
-Love would be more important than sex
-Saving the earth would be more important than saving our souls