A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism
by Forrest Church, John A. Buehrens
List Price:
Our Price: $7.75
You Save: $8.25 (52%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $6.68 (click here)
Category: Book
See more book details and other editions
Book Summary Information
Author: Forrest Church, John A. BuehrensEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 1998-06-01
ISBN: 0807016179
Number of pages: 221
Publisher: Beacon Press
Book Reviews of A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism
Book Review: A friendly Catholic Priest
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall, I enjoyed and found helpful this introduction to Unitarian Univeralism. But, you must know a but is coming.
However (I fooled you!) I must say I chuckled at some of the themes that Revs. Buehrens and Church emphasized.
1. The claim to be a non-hierarchical church. Buehrens himself was the president of the UUA--not all that different from being the pope. I think you have local supervisors. Another word for supervisor is "bishop." BTW, concerning Catholics, maybe 1% of an average day has anything to do with the pope. Maybe 2% of the same day has anything to do with the bishop. 97% of the time we are congregationalists.
2. The claim to be non-credal. But what are the six sources? What are the 10 beliefs of Rev. David Rankin in the book's introduction? If you say that "they are not creeds, they are suggestions," I tell you, that is the way that the majority of Catholics take their creed.
3. The claim to all inclusiveness, toleration, and non-judgementalism. How are pro-life UU's treated, if there are any? Rankin (#6) states that "we believe in the worth and dignity of every human being." Certainly a pre-born baby is human; he/she isn't animal or vegetable or mineral. Is she/he a "being?" I think so, as opposed to a non-being. In 1966, my brother was born at 6 months maturity, at 2lbs, 13 oz. He was given a 1% chance of living. Now he is about 222lbs. No one says anyone should go to jail; that is a 'straw man' argument. Just that it should be left to the states, contra Roe v Wade, and that it be recognized as 'not a good thing, to be avoided.' Apparently, Susan B. Anthony and many of the original feminists were against abortion.
Would a UU who said "my sense of justice requires that those who take a life should forfeit their life" be tolerated?
4.) There seemed to be too much emphasis on "fundamentalists" as bogey men/women. Where's the tolerance, the love, the acceptance, even if you don't have to think alike with them?
At any rate, thank you for this introduction, and I look forward to learning more about your denomination.
Summary of A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism
Affirming diversity, dialogue, and personal choice in religious living, providing common ground and community for people from a wide variety of backgrounds and beliefs, and encouraging the work for social justice that religion inspires, Unitarian Universalism has become an increasingly appealing religious alternative. A Chosen Faith is a clear, helpful introduction to this growing religious movement. Two long-time ministers and denominational leaders, John A. Buehrens and Forrest Church, describe the sources and history of Unitarian Universalism, how those traditions are adapted in congregations today, and how they each came to choose Unitarian Universalism as a career and a way of life.This revised edition includes two new chapters as well as a new foreword by best-selling writer and Unitarian Universalist Robert Fulghum.
"An excellent introduction for anyone interested in the nature of Unitarian Universalist religious beliefs, the history of those movements, and the emphasis on openness, tolerance, and social concerns."
-Michael J. McBride, Religious Studies Review
"Simply superb. I know of nothing comparable to it. The old-timer as well as the 'come-outer' will find A Chosen Faith irresistible. It will be a gift for everyone, for the minister, for the laity, for theological students. Engaging, seductive, infectious."
-James Luther Adams
A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, by John A. Buehrens and Forrest Church, is hard to describe. The book is a history of the denomination, with lively passages depicting the lives and ministries of important Unitarian-Universalist leaders such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and William Ellery Channing. Yet it is also a collection of testimonies by contemporary laypeople and ministers, who describe their churches' responses to questions ranging from "How do I know when to get married?" to "How should the government treat single mothers?" The funny and wise introduction was written by Robert Fulghum, who indulges the often invoked criticism that Unitarian Universalism's ideals are interchangeable with those of PBS. And, finally, it contains some straightforward explications of the denomination's core principles. The Church's aversion to creeds will be off-putting to some readers--at times, it seems Unitarian Universalists believe in nothing so much as not committing to any one belief. But there's something universally refreshing about this protean faith: most religious people, at one time or another, find that God leads them to reject some tenets of their religion. Unitarian Universalists have a true genius for accepting God's most surprising Words, which makes A Chosen Faith a valuable resource for all of us. --Michael Joseph Gross
Protestant Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Audiobooks on Cassette
- Audiobooks on CD
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- e-Books
- Engineering
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Medicine
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Unitarian Universalism
Challenge of a Liberal Faithby George N. Marshall
Skinner House Books; Published: 1988-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.95
Price in other shops:
Singing the Living Traditionby Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Assn; Published: 1993-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $35.00
The Essential Jla: Selected Writings of James Luther Adamsby James Luther Adams
Skinner House Books; Published: 1997-06; Paperback; Book
Best price: $14.00
Unitarian Universalist Pocket GuideSkinner House Books; Published: 2004-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.75
Price in other shops:
With Purpose and Principle: Essays about the Seven Principles of Unitarian UniversalismSkinner House Books; Published: 1998-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.25
Price in other shops:
100 Questions That Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalismby John Sias
Transition Publishing; Published: 1994-06-30; Paperback; Book
Price in other shops:
The Source of Human Goodby Henry N. Wieman
Southern Illinois University Press; Published: 1946; Paperback; Book
Selected Writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson (Signet Classics)by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Signet Classics; Published: 2003-10-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.10
Price in other shops:
The Essential Margaret Fuller (American Women Writers Series)by Margaret Fuller
Rutgers University Press; Published: 1992-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $18.00
Price in other shops:
Unitarian UniversalismZondervan; Published: 1998-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.58
Price in other shops:
Similar Books and other products
Faith Without Certainty: Liberal Theology In The 21st Centuryby Paul Rasor
Skinner House Books; Published: 2005-06-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.85
Price in other shops:
Singing the Living Traditionby Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Assn; Published: 1993-06; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $35.00
Unitarian UniversalismZondervan; Published: 1998-03-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.58
Price in other shops:
Being Liberal in an Illiberal Age: Why I Am a Unitarian Universalistby Jack Mendelsohn, Skinner House Books
Skinner House Books; Published: 2005-08-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $15.00
To Re-Enchant the World: A Philosophy of Unitarian Universalismby Richard Grigg
Xlibris Corporation; Published: 2004-12-20; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.48
Price in other shops:
Understanding the Bible: An Introduction for Skeptics, Seekers, and Religious Liberalsby John A. Buehrens
Beacon Press; Published: 2004-06-15; Paperback; Book
Best price: $8.33
Price in other shops:
Finding Your Religion: When the Faith You Grew Up With Has Lost Its Meaningby Scotty McLennan
HarperOne; Published: 2001-01-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.66
Price in other shops:
Unitarian Universalist Pocket GuideSkinner House Books; Published: 2004-05; Paperback; Book
Best price: $5.75
Price in other shops:
The Jefferson Bibleby Thomas Jefferson, Percival Everett
Published: 2004-09-01; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.96
Unitarian Universalism: A Narrative Historyby David E. Bumbaugh
Meadville Lombard Press; Published: 2001-03; Paperback; Book
Best price: $12.35
Price in other shops: