The title of but Martin Thielen’s What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian? (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2011) is unfortunate because it implies that the reader is not serious about Christian faith. In fact, this book uses easily understood language and illustrations to assure people who do want to be serious Christians that much of what is emphasized by the Christian right is not essential Christian doctrine.
Each of the “ten things Christians don’t need to believe” has its own short chapter:
1. God does NOT cause tragic events to occur but God can and does bring good results out of tragedy.
2. Doubt is NOT the enemy of faith but part of authentic Christianity.
3. It is not the case that true Christians can’t believe in evolution; evolution is the answer to how God created life on earth.
4. It is NOT the case that women must submit to men and cannot be church leaders; rather women are fully equal with men in marriage, in church, and in society.
5. It is NOT the case that environmental concerns and social justice have no place in the church; rather, God cares about both and so should the church.
6. “Left behind” theology is NOT a biblical belief and is a recent idea---not part of historical Christianity.
7. We cannot know that no non-Christians will be “saved;” God can be trusted to do what’s right.
8. The Bible should NOT be taken literally, but it must always be taken seriously.
9. God loves all people, including those who identify as LGBT.
10. It is NOT appropriate for Christians to be judgmental and obnoxious; it is God’s job to judge.
Thielen also breaks essential Christian beliefs into ten categories:
1. Jesus, “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” is the heart of Christianity.
2. Relationships---with God and others---matter most.
3. Even with our flaws, Jesus loves and accepts us as beloved children of God.
4. Although God is not limited to working through people, God primarily works through human instruments.
5. True fulfillment comes from serving others.
6. Although God does not prevent suffering, the crucified God fully enters human suffering and works to redeem that suffering.
7. Jesus Christ’s resurrection gives us hope for life and even hope for death.
8. In spite of its flaws, the church is still God’s primary vehicle for doing God’s work in the world, and every Christian needs to belong to one.
9. The Holy Spirit is God’s empowering presence in our lives, in the life of the church, and in the world.
10. The kingdom of God is God’s dream for the world, and we are called to help make that dream a reality, both in our personal lives and in society.
There is a group study guide available online.
Paul Wallace’s second book, Love and Quasars: An Astrophysicist Reconciles Faith and Science (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2019) is a clear and beautifully written account of how science can be understood as the partner, rather than the enemy, of Christian faith. Wallace holds an M.Div. from the Candler School of Theology and a Ph.D. in physics. He serves as an ordained Baptist minister in the CBF-affiliated First Baptist Church of Decatur, GA and a teacher of physics at Agnes Scott College, also in Decatur. The book was written for young adults who struggle with the perceived tension of science and Christian commitment but is appropriate for any adult discussion group.
Each of the “ten things Christians don’t need to believe” has its own short chapter:
1. God does NOT cause tragic events to occur but God can and does bring good results out of tragedy.
2. Doubt is NOT the enemy of faith but part of authentic Christianity.
3. It is not the case that true Christians can’t believe in evolution; evolution is the answer to how God created life on earth.
4. It is NOT the case that women must submit to men and cannot be church leaders; rather women are fully equal with men in marriage, in church, and in society.
5. It is NOT the case that environmental concerns and social justice have no place in the church; rather, God cares about both and so should the church.
6. “Left behind” theology is NOT a biblical belief and is a recent idea---not part of historical Christianity.
7. We cannot know that no non-Christians will be “saved;” God can be trusted to do what’s right.
8. The Bible should NOT be taken literally, but it must always be taken seriously.
9. God loves all people, including those who identify as LGBT.
10. It is NOT appropriate for Christians to be judgmental and obnoxious; it is God’s job to judge.
Thielen also breaks essential Christian beliefs into ten categories:
1. Jesus, “the Christ, the Son of the living God,” is the heart of Christianity.
2. Relationships---with God and others---matter most.
3. Even with our flaws, Jesus loves and accepts us as beloved children of God.
4. Although God is not limited to working through people, God primarily works through human instruments.
5. True fulfillment comes from serving others.
6. Although God does not prevent suffering, the crucified God fully enters human suffering and works to redeem that suffering.
7. Jesus Christ’s resurrection gives us hope for life and even hope for death.
8. In spite of its flaws, the church is still God’s primary vehicle for doing God’s work in the world, and every Christian needs to belong to one.
9. The Holy Spirit is God’s empowering presence in our lives, in the life of the church, and in the world.
10. The kingdom of God is God’s dream for the world, and we are called to help make that dream a reality, both in our personal lives and in society.
There is a group study guide available online.
Paul Wallace’s second book, Love and Quasars: An Astrophysicist Reconciles Faith and Science (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2019) is a clear and beautifully written account of how science can be understood as the partner, rather than the enemy, of Christian faith. Wallace holds an M.Div. from the Candler School of Theology and a Ph.D. in physics. He serves as an ordained Baptist minister in the CBF-affiliated First Baptist Church of Decatur, GA and a teacher of physics at Agnes Scott College, also in Decatur. The book was written for young adults who struggle with the perceived tension of science and Christian commitment but is appropriate for any adult discussion group.