The Future of Faith

Changes everything

This book is for anyone dissatisfied with the dogma that has become inherent in so many religious groups and sects. By analyzing Christianity's past and present, Cox masterfully shows us the future of faith: a new age he deems the Age of the Spirit; a decline in religious fundamentalism, as such movements fight amongst and undo themselves; a new outlook on the Bible; an important focus on faith rather than dogmatic belief; and ultimately, a new way of religious thinking comprised of a constant questioning, an understanding of history, and a pluralistic lens with which to view the world.

Scholarly Written With Spiritual Sensitivity

Dr Cox is imminently qualified to take the reader from the beginnings of the history of Christianity up to the present day and he convincingly makes the case for the future of faith which will not and cannot be controlled by religious institutions. He clearly indicates that it will never be "creeds" alone which will determine the future forms of Christianity, but rather the "deeds" which Jesus exemplified as the prime elements of the kingdom. I might suggest that there is also another dimension in this equation which I would include along with this illiteration and that is "needs". The needs of the people play an important role in the changing expression of the church and it could easily be placed alongside of "creeds" and "deeds". The needs of the people who do believe, and many of them thirst for the mysteries and power of the kingdom to manifest in their personal lives. Jesus did say that "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled". There are those who have thirsted not only for righteousness but for spiritual gifts and powers, whose prayers God has heard. Dr Cox does state this fact in other lines of thought when he refers to the "age of the spirit" and the rise of "Pentecostalism". He makes it very clear that "we need not assume that creedal Christianity is the only option" p78. Here is the crux of the matter, there are other options in the experience and expressions of the Chritian faith that have continued to break out of the molds and constraints of both hierarchical and creedal Christianity.

In chapter three, Dr Cox uses the metaphor, "we find ourselves on a ship that has already been launched" pg 37. We are passengers among many others who are sailing in the midst of spiritual mystery,"but how we live with it differs". He deals with this fact throughout the book and tries to impress upon the reader that Christianity has never been monolithic and never will be. As long as people can think, question, and interpret for themselves truth and meaning, there will be differences in perception and changes in the expression of the gospel of the kingdom.

Dr Cox indicates that changes in the interpretation and expression of the gospel will contiune to come as Christianity moves forward into the future. He says on pg 196, "Christianity understood as a system of beliefs guarded and transmitted through a privileged religious institution by a clerical class is dying. Instead, today Christianity as a way of life, shared in a vast variety of ways by a diverse global network of fellowships is arising". The book is scholarly written and yet the author expresses a spiritual sensitivity toward the church at large. There are no overtones of harshness in the pages as he presents the things he is seeking to share. There are no attacks, simply an earnest attempt to present the facts as he sees them. After all, he is on board the same ship of Chrisitanity that many others are sailing on. Thurman L Faison, AuthorTo The Spiritually Inclined (Volume 1)

Much analysis

I found the analysis of the future of faith to be detailed. I was a bit frustrated about the author's views of traditional church. I think he short changes the benefits and the contributions of the traditional church.

The Future of Faith is thought provoking and spiritually invigorating.

I heard Harvey Cox speak of this book on Wisconsin Public Radio. I borrowed it from the library and enjoyed it so much I had to purchase a few copies of it. I intend to have my children who are young adults read The Future of Faith to promote a sense of the divine and that which connects us together.

This book is for anyone who questions what they are told to believe. It provides a basis which ties all people of faith (and those seeking it) together.

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