Jack's Books
The Bible: Faith’s Family Album
Chalice Press, 1998
"The Bible is not about God so much as it is a collection of writings about a community. It is a community that found itself called by God to be the servant of the divine and custodian of the divine message.
This volume began with my frustration with the human "noises" that can bewilder any serious reader of the Bible. Indeed, the human element is quite real.
After a long period of intense involvement in the Scriptures, however, I find myself writing now in appreciation of a sacredness that no amount of human noise can deny. Despite all the problems—the variety of views given by different writers, and the highs and lows of moral development—a mysterious holiness pervades the whole.
I write in hopes of helping others find the sacredness that moves silently in and around the Bible’s earthy environment.
|
|
|
The Dishonest Church
Rising Star Press, 2003
St. Johann Press
Reprint, 2008
"The style of faith [ordained church professionals] develop during their schooling is not, with some important exceptions, dogmatic, divisive, or anti-intellectual. Yet, when they complete their training and begin to lead local churches, these religious leaders hide their newfound breadth and revert to the patterns of their childhood. They do not respect their congregations enough to challenge them. Thus narrow and immature ideas remain in place; religious beliefs are not measured against the insights of secular science...
This failure of religious leaders to share honestly and forthrightly with the laity, a failure with crippling effects, is the subject of this volume."
The Dishonest Church sold out of its first printing in 2007. St. Johann Press has taken over the rights to the book. A St. Johann Press reprint is now available. Check your local bookstore or booksellers on line.
Amazon has had difficulty shifting to the new press for the reprinted edition. If you encounter a problem, order from www.stjohannpress.com. |
|
The Fortunate Ones:
Beatitudes and Biographies
"The Beatitudes are one of the most popular sections of Scripture. They shouldn’t be. Forgive me for sounding harsh, but I fear many of the people who love these words may never have heard them—at least not in the deeper sense of hearing. Yes, these people have heard the sound and the cadence of their poetry, even heard their gentle vision of a better world.
What they have not heard is the word of judgment upon our way of life, a judgment many listeners are not prepared to accept.
The beatitudes describe a radical set of values."
"A biographical sermon gently invites change by offering a vision of new possibilities... Individuals could be described who illustrate each of the eight beatitudes. Only four have been included here. It has seemed important to keep the size of this volume within reasonable bounds. Readers are invited to think of persons they know who could fill in the blanks."
|
|
This book may be ordered from
Community United Church of Christ
805 S. Sixth Street
Champaign, IL 61801
(217) 344-5091
info@community-ucc.org
|
Coming Soon!
Jesus and the Power of Emotional Living
(Title subject to change.)
Sometime after the beginning of 2009, St. Johann Press is expected to publish my book centered on the many emotional references contained in the Gospel accounts. These references are a key to understanding the strength and impact of Jesus. They also provide valuable guidance to all people who want to choose fulfilling lives of substance.Look for further information. |
