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July 29, 2005 Exodus by Dave Shiflett tries to answer an interesting question: Why are liberal churches like the Episcopalians, the Methodists, the Presbyterian, and other maineline protestant churches losing membership while conservative churches are thriving. He answers it by going to various churches and seminaries and interviewing people of various faiths, and asking them questions. Not exactly a new idea but one that works well enough. Shiflett begins with the Episcopalians, talking to liberals and conservatives alike, about their faith and the problems they face. He tends to focus on the ordination of homosexuals to the priesthood, and that many in the priesthood refuse to exercise aouthority, and really don't believe in Christianity except that Jesus was a nice guy. After reading a few chapters on liberal Christianity, Shiflett turns to what he considers conservative Christianity. The Catholics, the Orthodox, the Southern Baptists, and the Evangelicals. Never mind that many Catholics support very liberal positions, and that Evangelicals aren't the conservative monolith that they are thought to be. For his chapter on the Catholics he talks to converts to the religion like Andy Ferguson, who at one time studied to be an Episcopal priest, then quit when he realized that he was the only one at seminary who believed in God, and life long members like Father John McCloskey who is a member of Opus Dei. His chapter on Orthodoxy was interesting, though I understand the religion as little now as I did before I read the book. The book is interesting in the view of religion, God, and scriptures that they various churches have. The Southern Baptists with their belief in Biblical inneracy and the evangelists with their zeal for spreading their faith. Interestingly the book only mentions Jehovahs Witnesses and Latter Day Saints in passing, perhaps he doesn't consider them Christians or he just didn't think to talk to them. But I don't want to tell the whole book to you. The book is not heavy reading, I finished it in a little over two hours, and it doesn't really go deep enough. So get this from a book club deal or from the library. If I have to rate this, I would give it a 7 out of 10. ------------ About the author: Craig Chamberlain has written more than 100 articles for Useless-Knowledge.com. Email: craig_chamberlain@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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