Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White: Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics

by Adam Hamilton, Jim Wallis (Foreword by)

Overview

Everyone agrees that America is polarized, with ever-hardening positions held by people less and less willing to listen to one another. No one agrees on what to do about it. One solution that hasn’t yet been tried, says Adam Hamilton, is for thinking persons of faith to model for the rest of the country a richer, more thoughtful conversation on the political, moral, and religious issues that divide us. Hamilton rejects the easy assumptions and sloppy analysis of black and white thinking, seeking instead the truth that resides on all sides of the issues, and offering a faithful and compassionate way forward. He writes, "I don't expect you to agree with everything I've written. I expect that in the future even I won't agree with everything I've written here. The point is not to get you to agree with me, but to encourage you to think about what you believe. In the end I will be inviting those of you who find this book resonates with what you feel is true, to join the movement to pursue a middle way between the left and the right - to make your voices heard - and to model for our nation and for the church, how we can listen, learn, see truth as multi-sided, and love those with whom we disagree." Read more about this title Adam Hamilton's Seeing Gray Blog Now available! Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White - DVD UPC: 843504001902 A five-session video resource featuring Adam Hamilton teaching these concepts on DVD for group or individual study. Includes leader's guide as well as bonus video. Click below to view a preview of each video session. Where Faith and Politics Meet Christ Christians and the Culture Wars How should we live, The Ethics of Jesus Spiritual Maturity and Seeing Gray What Would Jesus Say to America?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426766626
Publisher:	Abingdon Press
Publication date:	07/01/2012
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	242
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Adam Hamilton is senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, one of the fastest growing, most highly visible churches in the country. The Church Report named Hamilton’s congregation the most influential mainline church in America, and he preached at the National Prayer Service as part of the presidential inauguration festivities in 2013. Hamilton is the best-selling and award-winning author of The Walk, Simon Peter, Creed, Half Truths, The Call, The Journey, The Way, 24 Hours That Changed the World, John, Revival, Not a Silent Night, Enough, When Christians Get It Wrong, and Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White, all published by Abingdon Press. Learn more about Adam Hamilton at AdamHamilton.com.

Table of Contents

Foreword Jim Wallis ix

Introduction: Are Jerry Falwell and John Shelby Spong Our Only Options? xiii

Part I Seeing the Gray in a Black-and-White World

1 Are You Liberal or Conservative? 3

2 Straining Gnats 9

3 "If You Can't Say Anything Nice …" 19

4 Stage Five: Spiritual Maturity and Gray 25

5 Finding the Sweet Spot 35

6 Shhh! Just Listen! 43

7 Being Pentecostal without Losing Your Mind 47

Part II The Bible, Beliefs, end the Spiritual Journey

8 The Battle over the Bible 59

9 The Galileo Affair 73

10 Apes, Evolution, Adam and Eve 79

11 Is Your Jesus Too Small? 89

12 Will There Be Hindus in Heaven? 97

13 The Logic of Hell 113

14 Where Is God When Bad Things Happen? 121

15 In Praise of Honest Doubt 133

16 The Messy Truth about Spirituality 139

Part III Politics and Ethics in the Center

17 Situation Ethics and WWJD 147

18 Abortion: Finding Common Ground 153

19 Homosexuality at the Center 165

20 The Questions of War 189

21 Faith and the Presidential Elections 211

22 A Worthy Vision for America 219

23 The Radical Center 227

Questions for Reflection and Discussion 237