Understanding the Sacred: Sociological Theology for Contemporary People

In the United States and Europe, membership and participation in Christian churches have steadily declined. When asked for their religious preference, increasing numbers say "none." This is especially the case for younger adults and the well-educated.

A key reason is that many find the prayers, creeds, and liturgy--and the theology that underlie these--to be incomprehensible or unbelievable. But theology need not be unbelievable, and doctrine need not be doctrinaire. This book provides a new...