Quotes from David P. Gushee

Better is one day in the company of those bullied by Christians but loved by Jesus than thousands in the company of those wielding scripture to harm the weak and defenseless.

Human life is sacred: this means that each and every human being has been set apart for designation as a being of elevated status and dignity. Each human being must therefore be viewed with reverence and treated with due respect and care, with special attention to preventing any desecration or violation of a human being.

Make your church a context where parents know that the right response to their teenagers is never to reject them as human beings, never to throw them out.

The sense that card-carrying American evangelicalism now requires acquiescence to attitudes and practices that negate core teachings of Jesus is fueling today's massive exodus.

Please protect me through the dangers and confusion of my transient life on earth, ensuring that in all things I strive for eternal life in Heaven.

American evangelicalism now requires acquiescence to attitudes and practices that fundamentally (aha!) negate core teachings of Jesus

save our souls from being so blind that we pass unseeing when even the common thornbush is aflame with Your glory,

Yet whether a culture condemns or accepts homosexuality, heterosexuality prevails and homosexuality survives.

It is a loop between church, Spirit, and Bible, and it is enough.

It says something really terrible when the least safe place to deal with sexual orientation and identity issues is the Christian family and church.

Blest be the God of love, Who gave me eyes, and light, and power this day, Both to be busy and to play. . . . My God, Thou art all love. Not one poor minute escapes Thy breast, But brings a favor from above; And in this love, more than in bed, I rest. Amen. —GEORGE HERBERT (1593–1633)

If evangelical gatekeepers can swallow keeping children in cages, mocking the Sermon on the Mount, and following leaders in thrall to Trumpist bigotry, why would anyone respect their discernment, value their praise, or fear their critique?

In general, evangelical fear of liberal learning has contributed to what Mark Noll properly described as "the scandal of the evangelical mind"—which is, in Noll's immortal phrase, "that there is not much of an evangelical mind.

Our God, You open Your hand, and fill all things living with plenteousness; to You I commit all those who are dear to me; watch over them, I pray, and provide all things needful for their souls and bodies, now and for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. —NERSES (4TH C.)

Give me an upright heart which no unworthy purpose may tempt aside. Bestow upon me also, O Lord my God, understanding to know Thee, diligence to seek Thee, wisdom to find Thee, and a faithfulness that may finally embrace Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. —THOMAS AQUINAS (1225–1274)

Calm me, O Lord, as You stilled the storm; Still me, O Lord; keep me from harm. Let all the storms within me cease. Enfold me, Lord, in Your peace. Amen. —CELTIC PRAYER

It may not be quite enough to find a nice inclusive Episcopal church led by Progressive White Cleric to replace the lily-white rocking megachurch led by Conservative White Guy in Jeans on Stage.

O Lord, take full possession of my heart, raise there Your throne, and command there as You do in heaven. Being created by You, let me live for You; being created for You, let me always act for Your glory; being redeemed by You, let me give to You what is Yours; and let my spirit cling to You alone, for Your name's sake. Amen. —JOHN WESLEY (1703–1791)

O Christ, Son of the Living God, May Your holy angels guard our sleep. May they watch over us as we rest And hover around our beds. . . . May no dreams disturb our rest And no nightmares darken our dreams. . . . May the virtue of our daily work Hallow our nightly prayers. May our sleep be deep and soft, So our work be fresh and hard. Amen. —PATRICK OF IRELAND (c. 387–c. 460)

biblical inerrancy.

meanings" of the Bible so many people point to in their attempts to oppress other people.

Immortal honour, endless fame, Attend the Almighty Father's name: The Saviour Son be glorified, Who for lost man's redemption died; And equal adoration be, Eternal Paraclete, to Thee. Amen. —RABANUS MAURUS (9TH C.); TRANSLATED BY JOHN DRYDEN (1631

let's say, fairly limited in their skills. Joel Osteen. Kenneth Copeland. Paula White. I mean, really.

Taken at its face value, the Bible does not condemn slavery. When abolitionists argued that the deeper message of the Bible was clearly against slavery—as Mark Noll points out—they were viewed as suspiciously unfaithful to the Bible.