Tony Jones (1) (1968–)

This book - more of a booklet, really - was more of an interesting introduction to the author's personal tableau of doctrines than anything else. It seems pretty clear that this work started out as a series of blog posts rather than as a book proper. What that means is that the emphasis is more on a conversational tone at the expense of being patient and comprehensive. Theological ideas and propositions are tossed out there for your consideration and you are casually invited to consider how the implications affect each other, without being offered a comprehensive treatment of the author's preparing. In other words, most of the thinking is left as an exercise to the reader.

That's not necessarily good or bad, it's just a function of expectations. Personally when I go to read something I'm likely to disagree with, I like to see the author do his/her homework, lay some groundwork, and make a serious attempt to convince me. I would have perhaps liked to see the words "sketch" or "introduction" in the title to set the reader's expectations to match the booklet's quick, broad outline mode of presenting the ideas.

Some compelling examples and arguments were made in this book, nearly all from church history rather than the scriptural text. His main argument seems to be that moral depravity was the invention of Augustine and later augmented by Calvin et. al. While noting the beliefs of early Christians (and modern-day Orthodox) certainly has some weight, the author almost ignores the greatest and most obvious *scriptural* arguments that are usually offered in opposition to his ideas.

For example, when the booklet shifted into a discussion of penal substitution atonement, the first thing that came to mind are verses that specifically use the word "propitiation" which strongly suggests a PSA interpretation. Nowhere was this addressed or even mentioned.

Ultimately the booklet gave me enough material to consider these "alternative" ideas about atonement and moral depravity, but left the vast majority of my questions unanswered. I am glad he wrote it, however; I find it best to think of it as basically one round in an ongoing discussion, and a very civil one at that.… (plus d'informations)

If there were ever a manifesto that outlined the modus operandi of the Emerging Church, "An Emergent Manifesto of Hope" is certainly it. Written by numerous movers and shakers within the EC they touch upon a range of issues such as: evangelism, community, ecclesiology, ecumenism, theology, orthopraxy, inclusiveness, sexuality, social justice, racial reconciliation and so much more. The beliefs and practices outlined in this book are what Brian McLaren terms, "a generous orthodoxy". An orthodoxy that is culturally relevant, inclusive to all, and a step away from the modernistic Enlightenment approach that today's Evangelical Christianity has become complicit with. This is not liberalism or conservative ideology wrapped with religious speak. It is simply a self examination on how we as Christians currently live our lives, do church, and what we can do differently in order to make an everlasting impact upon the world in which we live. Let's face it, the church today has become complacent and apathetic, often engaging in fruitless battles with one another and struggling against the post-modern culture that surrounds it. In order to come out from this rut, we must embrace a new paradigm. A paradigm that embraces a new hope in a church that emerges from the ash heap of modernism and a return to a vintage Christianity that involves a major change in how we do things. This book offers that hope; at the very least a starting point in a new direction. A new direction that I embrace and will instill upon my children effecting many generations to come.… (plus d'informations)

This work contains a nice summary of atonement theories from the perspective of a progressive Christian. If the dominant Evangelical model of Penal Substitutionary Atonement doesn't seem to you like the only or best illustration of God's saving work in Jesus, this book is a worthwhile read.

It is approachable, having begun its life as a blog series. It is not particularly technical, but it is helpful for curious Christians who wish to broaden their understanding of historical developments in atonement theory and the models we have developed to illustrate them.… (plus d'informations)

Every Christian should read the Didache (DID-ah-kay). Every one. You can read the whole thing in twenty minutes, so you have no excuse.

Didache simply means teachings. By our best guess, this is the earliest Christian literature not in the Bible. It probably predates one or more Gospels, and may be made up of about four separate writings. The opening portion appears taken directly from the Q source. So early are the teachings of this Didache community that they show no indication of familiarity with any Pauline writings.

The Didache is not a book about believing, but about living. It’s not about evangelizing, but about being a neighbor. It’s a guidebook about how to share the Eucharist, how to give alms, how to baptize, how to appoint elders and treat prophets, and more. You won’t read anything about miracles, the twelve disciples, the crucifixion, or the resurrection. It’s just about how to be a Christian.

Jones relates the words of the Didache, provides a short, inspirational analysis, and relates how a group of Christians he knows has taken its teachings and humbly formed a community determined to return to the simple, compassionate teachings of the early church.… (plus d'informations)