Synopsis
"A heretic is someone who sees a truth that contradicts the conventional wisdom of the institution—and remains loyal to both entities"
—Art Kleiner, author, The Age of Heretics
In A Heretic's Guide to Eternity, Spencer Burke and Barry Taylor take a provocative look at life with God in the twenty-first century, particularly what the Christian faith has to offer. They do not merely put a spin on old beliefs but show that there are actually new ways of looking at the Christian message—free from the confines of religion and open to the possibility of a radical new incarnation and manifestation. Drawing on wide-ranging sources from theology, history, popular culture, and music, Burke and Taylor explore new postmodern forms of spirituality and conclude that religion's dominance over issues of faith may be over.
A Heretic's Guide to Eternity asks challenging questions about institution-based expressions of faith: Do we need church or temple anymore? Are there other ways to practice faith communally? Does any faith community have the power and the right to condemn, judge, and decide the destiny of others? Why do so many religious institutions often become bastions of exclusivity and hatred rather than love? What does it mean to be spiritual? How can we have an authentic relationship with God?
With its focus on the limitless grace of God, this book offers a new way of seeing an old faith, of practicing "mystical responsibility" and understanding that salvation is something that happens between God and people, not something regulated by institutions and gatekeepers. A Heretic's Guide to Eternity is filled with surprising insights into and encouraging thoughts about how to live a spiritual and moral life in today's complex world. Burke and Taylor may be asking heretical questions, but they are deeply committed to the teachings of Jesus, guiding readers to see those teachings afresh and, as a result, live more passionately and thoughtfully.
Library Journal
Burke, a former pastor who now works as a retreat master and lecturer and runs the web site TheOoze.com, is a heretic in the same way, he says, that Jesus was a heretic-he questions the dictates of his religion from the inside. Distinguishing between religion and spirituality, Burke offers what he calls a new way of looking at God, one centered on the idea of grace. He emphasizes a God who is looking to save the world, not a God who seems more intent on condemning certain practices. Quoting from both the Bible and contemporary rock lyrics, Burke argues that traditional religion is coming to an end-that people are looking for transformative religious experiences, not dictates to be followed. He further insists that there needs to be a change in how religion is presented to the masses. For Burke, God is to be questioned, not simply obeyed. His challenging thesis will appeal to many people today who have given up on organized religion but still seek some connection to spirituality. Recommended for all religion collections.-Augustine J. Curley, Newark Abbey, NJ Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.