Essays
Start where you are
Each essay is written for readers coming from one place: a church tradition, or the door out of one. It takes what that place is built on, holds it next to what he actually said, and answers the replies you will hear back. Then it points you into the three books.
- For evangelicalsThe Word on the SignWhy evangelicalism is not what I taughtWritten for readers raised in an evangelical church, or still in one.Read the essay →
- For CatholicsThe Four MarksI announced a kingdom. What came was a church.Written for readers raised Catholic, or still at Mass.Read the essay →
- For Orthodox ChristiansHeaven or EarthI taught you to pray for heaven to come to earth. They built it inside a church.Written for readers raised in an Orthodox church, or drawn to one.Read the essay →
- For mainline ProtestantsThe Main LineWhy being right on paper is not what I taughtWritten for readers raised Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal or in another mainline church.Read the essay →
- For Pentecostals and charismaticsWhat Happened NextThe Spirit fell at Pentecost. Read what the people did next.Written for readers raised in a Pentecostal or charismatic church, or still in one.Read the essay →
- For Latter-day SaintsThe RestorationIf my church needed restoring, restore what I taught.Written for readers raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or still in it.Read the essay →
- For Jehovah’s WitnessesThe NameYou were taught to use God’s name. I taught you to call him Father.Written for readers raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses, or still in the congregation.Read the essay →
- For Seventh-day AdventistsThe Seventh DayYou kept the right day. Keep it the way I kept it.Written for readers raised Seventh-day Adventist, or still in the church.Read the essay →
- For people who left churchOutside the DoorWhen they threw a man out, I went and found him.Written for people who have left church, or are halfway out the door.Read the essay →
Your tradition is not here? Start with the one nearest to it. Not from any church at all? You do not need an essay: start with Lesson 1, or see all three books.