Movement for a Reformed Christianity *
Is Christianity on the Way to Extinction?
Scope of this Movement
The
Movement for a Reformed Christianity is
a dynamic force of individuals working together with the purpose of
rediscovering the early meaning of Christianity—a life of dedication to God,—
and to make an effort to change the stereotypical mentality of the current
traditional Christianity into a new Christianity—a life centered in God like
Jesus’. This movement sees Jesus as the exemplar, as the model of this
dedication to God, and strives for a new vision and understanding of God, and
of commitment to him.
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Traditional
models of Christianity are in a trend of fading out, nearly extinct; churches,
ministers, and Christian institutions and organizations must be aware of this
fact, and concerned about their future subsistence. This movement tries to
create a motion toward a more reasonable Christianity; a way to live the
teachings and examples of Jesus in a way more relevant for today’s people and
mentality; a religion that is not dismissed by science nor held in contempt by
modern philosophy.
This
movement is for those who affirm individual freedom and repel exclusivist
beliefs; for those who are open to spiritual truth and value the searching for
the truth; who proclaim Jesus Christ as our Gate to the inclusive Community of
God, and also for those who believe that their mission is to experience God at
the innermost depths of their being.
This
movement shows its full dimension and realization when, from the knowledge and
love of God, flows also a life of love and compassion for the neighbor in all
aspects of their lives, as Jesus did and taught.
Instrument and Manual
of this Movement
The
instrument of this movement is the internet, through which all interested
individuals may share their opinions and express their feelings, as explained
below.
This
movement also has a kind of “manual” to help the sharing to go forward in the
direction of its objective; this manual serves also as the basis and means for
the interaction. The manual is the book Christianity
Reformed From its Roots – A Life Centered in God (iUniverse, 2008). In this
book the main tenets of Christianity are discussed through the prism of facts,
reason and science; and the readers—rather, the “students “of the book—are
enlightened with a vision of God as Jesus had, which might be relevant even for
Gnostics and atheists.
How the interaction
works
On using the manual, visitors of this page may
express their ideas and give their suggestions through e-mail; these opinions
might be shared and published on this page, or they might be incorporated as
documents published here. Future editions of the “manual” might be enriched
with the suggestions and opinions made by the sharer-members of this movement.
Adversaries of this
Movement
This movement perhaps
may encounter all the opposition and resistance of those who do not want any
change, and the power of those who do not want to lose their “power;” but
people of the future will be living a more simple and authentic Christianity, a life centered in God. That is why we
must find this new way of being a Christian which is centering the life in God,
Jesus being the exemplar: a new discipleship of Jesus, as the earliest
Christians experienced.
Other services of the
Page
1. It contains some essays
on subjects unpublished in the book
2. It offers links to
other movements in the same line of thought
3. It has a section for
email exchange from those who want to work with this Movement
4. It will support and
facilitate study groups in the following ways:
a. giving guidance on how
to start these study groups, or helping readers to find an existing one
b. providing an online
study guide
c. providing guidance for
what a study group can do during the study of the book, and what can be done
after finishing the study of the book
d. giving support to
individuals and groups who want to do more for the Movement for a Reformed
Christianity
e. providing a list of
regional study group facilitators that want to promote the Movement
f. having a Question and
Answer section regarding the book and the Movement
g. publishing updates,
clarifications and additions to the book
* This page was formerly Step
by Step with the Bible. Read why it has changed, here.
The Interaction is here
Protocol
o
If
you want to share or transmit any comment, suggestion or idea, you may write
your thoughts and send them here.
o
Opposite
thinking will be heard; uncourteous or offensive words will be disregarded.
o
You
may see the comments received through the link Comments
Page.
o
If
you prefer your comments not to be public, just so state.
o
Your
interaction is appreciated.
What they think of the book
Reviews & Comments
“Christianity Reformed From its Roots – A Life Centered in God”
A Comment from
Bishop John Shelby Spong
o
Review of the book by the
Rev. John Churcher
o
Review of the book by the
Rev. Dr. Gerald Grudzen
o
Comments from readers
Looking inside the Book
o
“Table of Content” and Searching
inside the book, with Amazon
o
The
Foreword,
to see the background of the author
o
The
Introduction
o
Vision
of God in Conversation
with God
Suggested and Recommended Book
“Setting Jesus Free” by the Rev. John Churcher,
Review
Our last
end: “oneness” with God
2. Death
and the “beyond” - Our “new” identity
New
commentaries
1.
The Midrash in the Scriptures
2.
The
Contexts in the Scripture
Available links
To other
movements or essays on Reformed Christianity
o
The Center for
Progressive Christianity The mission of The Center for Progressive
Christianity is: » To reach out to
those for whom organized religion has proved ineffectual, irrelevant, or
repressive, as well as to those who have given up on or are unacquainted with
it. » To uphold evangelism as an agent of justice and peace. » To give a strong
voice both in the churches and the public arena to the advocates of progressive
Christianity. » To support those who embrace the search, not certainty.
o World Directory of New Thought Churches » Find A Center » Universal New Thought Center Directory » Centers for Spiritual Living, » Unity Churches » Unity Centers » Universal Foundation for Better Living » Divine Science » Seicho No Ei » and New Thought Communities
around the world » Find Love Based Spiritual
Communities around the world or around the corner.
o
A New Christianity for
a New World. For those seeking to experience Christianity in a new and vibrant
way, Bishop John Shelby Spong offers fresh spiritual ideas. Over the past four
decades, he has become one of the definitive voices for progressive
Christianity. Members of Bishop Spong's online community will receive
insightful weekly essays, and answers to questions from Bishop Spong himself!
- Permission to Speak. Permission to Speak is an initiative of a British Methodist minister as a voice 'from the edge' of church life, supporting and encouraging those who, owing to the irrelevance of ancient creeds and doctrines, either remain in the churches by their finger tips or who have left but wish to continue following the Ways of Jesus. This is an international ministry. More details are available here and from Permissiontospeak.org.uk
- GayChurch.org An affirming gay
Christian site dedicated to ... "Building the Body of Christ in
Love!"
- Ekklesia, A New Way of Thinking. A think-tank that promotes transformative theological
ideas in public life.
o
Time
to switch vessels. A magnificent
essay by
the Rev. Mark D. W. Edington, on the need “to switch the vessels.”
This Page was created February 10, 2009
Visitors since then
Last update: December 29, 2009
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