The Phoenix Affirmations: A New Vision for the Future of Christianity (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: incarnational worship, Path of Jesus, God's Word, God's Creation (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"You never know where the next Great Awakening is going to come from. Wherever it happens, I want to be present at the beginning, when the Spirit moves in wonderful ways. I see a spark of what very well may be the next Great Awakening here in Phoenix, Arizona."
—Dr. James Forbes, senior pastor, Riverside Church, New York City, New York

Product Description

The Phoenix Affirmations, named for the town in which the principles were created and the mythological bird adopted by ancient Christians as a symbol of resurrection, offers disillusioned and spiritually homeless Christians and others a sense of hope and a more tolerant, joyful, and compassionate message than those we often hear from the media and some Christian leaders. These twelve central affirmative principles of Christian faith are built on the three great loves that the Bible reveals: love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self. They reflect commitments to environmental stewardship, social justice, and artistic expression as well as openness to other faiths. Transcending theological and culture wars, inclusive and generous in spirit and practice, these principles ask believers and seekers alike to affirm their Christian faith in a fresh way.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (April 7, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787985783
• ISBN-13: 978-0787985783
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #292,101 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very enlightening book with a message for everyone, April 7, 2006

By	Ken Estabrook (Maryland) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been looking forward to reading this book ever since I heard about it several weeks ago. When I finally did get hold of a copy, I had it read within a few days.

The book is about, of course, the 12 Phoenix Affirmations developed by the book's author Rev. Eric Elnes and several others. The affirmations provide a set of guidelines for a more progressive Christianity...a path that is scripture-based, to be sure, but also one that I think will resonate with the beliefs of many Christians turned off by the harshness of many of today's extreme messages. It did for me, anyway.

While the path described in Dr. Elnes' book will be an easier one for most Christians to reconcile with their most personal beliefs, it is not an easier path in the sense that it won't take work to follow. It recommends frequent prayer and a thoughtful understanding of the scriptures, so you don't get off easy.

But, surprisingly, for the first time, I feel like I understand why prayer and Bible study are important.

And, frankly, that's says a lot, in my mind.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus Treated All People Equally, May 14, 2006

By	Elizabeth B. Johnson "Rev. Elizabeth B. Johnson" (Austin, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Phoenix Affirmations focus on Jesus' naming of the two greatest commandments --To love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

When we think about loving our neighbor in the same way that we love ourselves, if we are honest, we have to recognize that in caring for ourselves, we provide ourselves a job and a livable income, comfortable shelter, clothing, food, friendships and a sense of community and belonging and acceptancem, as well as ways to grow and better ourselves. We seek time for leisure and re-creation (which we need to renew ourselves).

So...when we are trying to carry out Jesus' charge to "love our neighbor as ourself," we need to care whether every other person we know has access to the basic things that help us to balance our own lives. If we see people who don't have access to these basics, those of us who "have plenty" need to help insure that people who don't have plenty, have ways to balance their lives. Whether that means that we work to help them learn job skills, or learn how to be good parents...whatever skills we can share.

The Phoenix Affirmations speak to the shared humanity of all people, and the ways in which we can work to understand each other's human condition and share in empowering each other.

As a Christian minister, I believe that this movement is on target for today's societal challenges. Jesus taught that we are all equal, and that there are many paths to God's Heaven.

We need to work together to share the good news of God's love, and to decrease prejudice and exclusion and the sense of superiority and "choseness" that some religious groups purvey.

Rev. E. B. Johnson
United Church of Christ
Minnesota, USA

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking, May 13, 2006

By	Anonymous (USA) - See all my reviews

This is one of the most thought provoking titles I have read in a while.
Honestly, I do not agree with some of its content. And I felt that the affirmations were a bit wordy at times, sounding more like legal jargon than natural conversation.
But these criticisms do not take away from the fact that "Phoenix Affirmations" is both challenging and stimulating.
I think it can be invaluable to read differing perspectives from time to time. - Even perspectives you strongly disagree with.
For this reason I would recommend this book to anyone who is sincerely looking to grow in their faith, and is brave enough to do so.