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God in Us : A Case for Christian Humanism (Societas)

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Anthony Freeman is a de-frocked Anglican priest. Why did he get the boot? Maybe it's because he dared to say what many people already suspect, that God is not "out there," in heaven, outside of history, distant, aloof, and silent, but "in here," alive and present. Does Anthony believe in God or doesn't he? The church said no, and he had to go. He says yes. It depends how you understand God. He presents his reasoning in this brief, but provocative gem.

GOD IN US is a fascinating little book which presents a fairly radical view of God and the current state of Christianity. Actually it contains two contrasting viewpoints counting the interesting Foreward provided by John Shelby Spong.

Anthony Freeman does not believe in the traditional God of Christianity as described in the Bible and the Creeds. He does not put faith in an objective God out there somewhere but instead chooses to construct a God from his own most cherished values. Freeman's ideas of God are very similar to those expressed by Don Cupitt who places great emphasis on embracing the Void.Freeman regards the Bible and the Creeds as purely human inventions. In fact, he considers all religions to be made entirely by humans.

Spong, on the other hand, talks about God as if it actually exists in the depths of being. He believes that he experiences God although he is not able to explain God.

Freeman and Spong are at their best when describing what is wrong with Christianity. They are much less convincing when they try to offer solutions for fixing it.

Throughout history, there have been many concepts of the supernatural. In ancient times, the Gods and Goddesses resembled humans with special powers. More recently, they were all-powerful beings in charge of a defined geographical area. Still more recently, God has been visualized as an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, omnibeneficient spirit, in spite of the logical contradictions that these attributes generate. Freeman has taken the next step, towards a God who is not "an invisible person 'out there' somewhere, but lives in the human heart and mind as 'the sum of all our values and ideals' guiding and inspiring our lives." Unfortunately, the Church of England was not willing to tolerate one of their priests taking this step.

I was curious about this book because of self-righteous indignation of author against church that kicked him out because of this book. Now I can see why and agree with authority. The idea that we can tailor GOD to fit our preferences is preposterous (absurd), and because he was in the church does not mean a thing.

The author tries to update GOD. (Heb 13:8 KJV) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

The author is pissed off that the Book of Common Prayer "still takes for granted that world-view which has GOD an absolute divine king intervening in earthly affairs" (direct quote). Should I advice this man to study "Revelation"?

What was he doing in the church all that time: sniffing narc? And all our prayers that he scuffs at? Should I advice him to ask GOD for salvation after all those years he wore out his pants in the pews.

You know, if you don't know GOD it is your problem. There is not GOD in you that is for sure.

My advice to the author:

(Mat 7:7 KJV) Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

(Mat 7:8 KJV) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Oops, old language. Pardon me.