The Evolution of Faith: How God Is Creating a Better Christianity

"Noone raises provocative questions about Christianity more kindly than PhilipGulley. " —Diana Butler Bass,author of Christianity for the Rest of Us

“Everyserious Christian ought to read this book, ponder it,wrestlewith it, but above all, be grateful for its presence in today's urgentconversation about what we are and are becoming as a people of God.” —Phyllis Tickle, author of The GreatEmergence

RenownedQuaker minister Philip Gulley, bestselling author of If the Church WereChristian, delivers a practical, insightful guide to developing aliving, flexible, personal Christianity—a faith that allows you to confront theprofound challenges facing every believer in today’s difficult world. |

For too long, American Christianity has been poisoned by a narrowness of mind and spirit, demanding we believe the implausible, affirm the absurd, and despise the different. For many, the concepts of original sin, a God who sends people to hell, and Jesus as the only path to God can no longer be stomached. Thus thoughtful people leave the church in droves, no longer willing to diminish their lives or the lives of others for the sake of faith.

But what if there were another way? What if God wanted us to grow and change, both in our theology and our beliefs? In The Evolution of Faith, Philip Gulley invites us to put aside slavish obedience to antiquated faith claims and worldviews that no longer ring true, and discover what we really believe, rather than what we've always been taught. Instead of looking for answers outside ourselves, Gulley encourages us to develop our own apologetics, a belief system open to change. In this paradigm, faith should always be seen as a work in progress.

Only when we break free from the tenets of Christianity that no longer further the faith can we create a vital and believable Christianity—a Christianity that brings out the best in us, not the worst; a Christianity at home with people of other faiths; a Christianity grateful for scientific knowledge. This is a Christianity many of us have longed for, but haven't yet found.

This book is Gulley's effort to discover a Christianity we, and all the world, can live with.

“Every serious Christian ought to read this book, ponder it,wrestle with it, but above all, be grateful for its presence in today’s urgent conversation about what we are and are becoming as a people of God.” - Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence

“If I were forced to pretend to believe in God again, I would choose Philip Gulley’s God: a deity who cares not whether you worship him, but how you treat other people.” - Dan Barker, author of Godless

“The verve and clarity of Gulley’s writing underscore the welcome nature of his message to many thoughtful “unchurched” or alienated Christians.” - Library Journal (starred review)

“Because of the gentle intelligence of his storytelling as much as his homely, experiential theology, he may convince many that they are progressive Christians, too.” - Booklist

“No one raises provocative questions about Christianity more kindly than Philip Gulley. ” - Diana Butler Bass, author of Christianity for the Rest of Us

“Whether you agree with all of Philip Gulley’s theology—and in several places I don’t—there is no question about the fact that he has defined here more clearly than perhaps any other contemporary commentator the current truth about the Church. Every serious Christian ought to read this book, ponder it,wrestle with it, but above all, be grateful for its presence in today’s urgent conversation about what we are and are becoming as a people of God.” - Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence

“In our ever changing world, Gulley’s book is much needed. An important book for any person of faith.” - Archbishop Desmond Tutu, author of Made for Goodness