Church Tomorrow?

This book by Stephanie Spellers, a female canon in residence at Saint Bartholomew's Episcopal church on New York City as of the publishing of this book, has written a good study of the "Nones" and "Dones" which I would recommend for all who are honest about church development from this point on.

It has the sub-title- What the "Nones" and "Dones" teach Us About the Future of Faith.

They are a generation overlooked-- no, I would rather say, ignored.

The intensive research Spellers has done will service as a starting point for honest listening to them and their honest roadblock.

When you talk about the nones you talk about those who are on the outside claiming no church affiliation. That doesn't mean they don't believe in some concept of God. It means that current church has shut them out. 

And there is some truth there. The church has not flexed to include them. They may not adhere to the old terminology churches seem to hold on to. The terms need to be brought up to date without losing the message. 

The church will go on. How it looks may change, but Spelling insists it will still be here.

I highly recommend this book not just for the church team that is reaching out, but also for the general pew warmer-- that they might understand the need to flex and allow the stranger in the mist the space to develop.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom

 This book may not be for everyone. It is more of a thought-provoking book for people who have wanted to wrestle with the question, Does God's knowing all things interfere with man's freedom to make his own decisions?

It is an old book and is more of the type a theologian or a theology student would be working through. And then there are people like I am who enjoys settling down to the comfort of a mind Widing book.

There is a great debate still on whether God knowing all things does away with the idea of man having a free will to make a choice to obey what God says or set himself up as the sole standard of morality and life. 

It may even keep one awake at night. Especially if they are a theology student having to determine it for a class.

But other than the student in Bible college, would this be a book read by the general reader?

Probably not. But it is nice to know if you are interested and can get a copy, I feel it would be worth your while reading and determining where you stand on the issue. Not that the subject will determine your future state after death.

Keep on reading. Be educated.