Your cart is currently empty!
Reviews
Powerful! I can’t think of anything else like it. This book will inspire you —no matter which ‘side’ you’re on.
— Brian McLaren, bestselling author, “A Generous Orthodoxy
A personal and spiritual tour de force. I learned something in every chapter, and it often made me laugh out loud with joy.
— Amy Roth, Emmy-winning journalist, formerly of the U.S. Embassy to the Vatican
A love story of ideas and of God.
John S, philosophy teacher
From Secularists
WOW!! Your book is fantastic!!!! I couldn’t put it down – and when Mike saw me reading it, he asked “what are you reading” – picked up the first page (I hope
you don’t mind!!), sat down next to me, and the two of us sat on the couch and read while the sunset! You can really write!! We love, and I want to stress *LOVE,* the way you intermix such deep ideas with juicy personal stories to keep things lively. We both enjoyed it so much – and look forward to the next chapter!!
Nancy L., agnostic Healthcare CEO and her husband, an atheist World Bank economist
I am truly loving the time I get to spend with your book. It is just so different from what I read (novels, biographies, NY Times). Your account of your abortion just devastated me — honest and penetrating — like nothing I have read on the subject.
Your adventures with the ladies of Highview and their fundamental views are both fun and peculiar–just when I am ready to hear you mock their backward attitudes, you make me see them in new, sympathetic ways, forcing me to examine my own prejudices.
I loved how you defined clearly what bothers me about Christianity (something I hadn’t articulated very well to myself or fellow secularists). However, at the same time, you made me aware of my prejudices. You forced me to examine those same complaints I have, and you made me question how important they were. For example, over the past five years I have watched a young colleague undergo two amazing transformations: he has grown from a clumsy, inexperienced teacher into an inspirational guide of both students and fellow teachers AND he was “saved.” Your book has helped me to accept both sides of him.
Zack Kinchello, educator
“Spiritual-but-not-Religious”
/Wow. Couldn’t put the book down last night until I finished it. Very engrossing, very easy to read, very thoughtful—even though I disagree with almost everything you say about ‘New Age’ and ‘New Thought.’
Kay Pentecost, RScP, New Thought Practitioner, Religious Science
Reads like a mystery novel. A courageous attempt to cross lines and see into depths that are rarely explored. This searingly candid dialogue will sharpen minds as it softens hearts across the spectrum of beliefs.
Laurie Bolster, PhD, Educator
Both these people show extraordinary courage in confronting each other. And the writing is a wacky and wonderful ride. I watched my favorite movie, “Oh Brother Where Art Thou,” while reading this book. And I began to see parallels between a bunch of prison escapees who are themselves a mixed bag of country bumpkins, born agains, and thinkers, wandering around a terrain populated by sexy maidens in streams, baptismal ceremonies, cross burnings, country politicians in full tilt, and haunting music—versus what these two are trying to do with Fundamentalism, Religious Science, Ken Wilber, reformed prisoners, Children of Abraham, Muslims, and a skit where Teri’s husband drops his pants in church. And furthermore, I think I might have gotten “saved” the next day. I had been working with a mentally ill patient, and it was transforming for both of us. I drove home along the Parkway, looking at the lights of DC across the river, and I experienced it the way my client had described experiences, except that for me it was ecstatic, and for her those things are fearful. And suddenly I experienced the idea of Jesus in a whole new way. I am not sure what it means, but I am looking forward to more chapters as I try to sort this out.
Ed Preston, Interfaith hospital chaplain
From Christians
Was I offended? Yes. Did I laugh? Oh yes! Especially when they took the bishop to that New Age movie. I am a dyed-in-the-wool Christian, and Bishop Thomas is my ideal pastor; I would LOVE to meet both him and Teri.
Lindsey Antle, Parker, CO
This is really am amazing work. It is such an eye-opening view of New Age thought and may well be the only book some Christians have (or will) read about the subject. I am not sure many Christians will come away with a greater acceptance of New Age thought as something they can embrace, but they will come away with a clearer vision of how the two belief systems both support and challenge one another. This, in itself, is a great accomplishment and has potential to help smooth some of the rough spots between Christians and New Agers.
Laurie Higgs, therapist and Couples Ministry Director for McLean Bible meagchurch outside DC
I was inspired by the grace and patience Bishop Thomas shows in trying to reach Teri. And I guess I was also impressed by her openness in letting him try. I am sharing the chapters with my Bible Studies group, I hope you don’t mind.
Sue Bartlett, Bible studies teacher, Annapolis MD
This changes the way I think about people in other religions. I will be reaching out to them in a whole new way. Sometimes we Christians think we have all the answers, but we would be better off listening more.
Rev. David Lottahall, Pastor, New Birth Church, Manassas, VA
I strongly disagree with the bishop’s doctrine. But his compelling defense of it forced me to have more respect for those who believe as he does. It almost made me jealous of his certainty.
BP, liberal Episcopal priest
This renewed my zeal for the Lord, which had been flagging. I loved the transparency, like I was eavesdropping on your very private thoughts. This book will touch many lives.
Caroline June, orthodox Christian, Admin assistant
I think they’re on to something here. This looks like it is going to cover all the reasons I stopped going to church and all the reasons I still love Jesus.
Sandy Capps, traditional military mom, Jacksonville, FL
I love this Bishop. He really knows the Bible. But why are you asking all these niggling questions? “Fear of the Lord” is just an expression. Everybody knows that. Nobody is actually afraid of Him. I don’t understand the purpose of this book. Could you just send me some tapes of the Bishop, please.
Elodie Ling, Anglican
From Developmentalists and Diplomats
There were times I wanted Teri to tell the bishop to cut the crap; she was caving in to him. But I saw something deeper going on. When his words sounded preposterous to her, she drilled into his heart, and saw that it was good. Sensing his integrity gave her the space to trust and listen for what he meant in terms she could understand. There were times she even articulated it for him, helping open his eyes to his own values. She wasn’t caving, she was dancing.
Laurie S. Hall, therapist and author of “An Affair of the Mind”
The magic of this book shows up early when Teri writes, ‘We were deadlocked, the energy was blocked. The question hung in the air as to why we were pursuing this difficult venture of trying to understand each other. The bishop spoke, ‘Well, I’m just riding this wave to see where it goes.’ It felt wrong to let facts come between us while an underlying Truth was calling.’
If you ‘ride the wave’ of this dialogue, you, too, will feel the Truth that is calling you. In some cases it may disturb you, in others exhilarate. But the promise of this journey is the clarifying of your Faith and its practice in service to a larger world.”
James R. Jones, Director, Personal Awareness Institute
Important and Profound. From my time in Iraq I can tell you that in many parts of the world, the only way to peace will be bridging efforts like this across ideologies.
Carol Haave, former U.S. Deputy Assist. Secretary of Defense