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10 Things Your Minister Wants to Tell You: (But Can't, Because He Needs the Job)

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An absolute revelation!10 Things Your Minister Wants to Tell You: (But Can't, Because He Needs the Job) For millions of life long/thinking Christians who feel swept out of the church by the Evangelical (fundamentalist) flood of the last two decades, this book is the ultimate reassurance. In just a few pages, and with a clarity that most liberal theologians never approach, Rev/Counselor Thomas finally explains that knot in the collective stomach of main line parishioners, now marginalized by the new church of God Lite. Finally, a thoughtful believer unafraid to challenge the Jesus-on-a-tee-shirt crowd.... with the very biblical text they habitually misapply! In just over a hundred pages, the God box of contemporary, consumer driven American Christianity is torn open and the Creator is restored to the mysterious, awesome nature that rightfully and historically are God's realm. A very important and very enjoyable read.

The Rev. Buzz Thomas is one of those rare birds we don't get to see very often -- a Southern Baptist preacher who embraces a modern understanding of Christianity. If militant fundamentalism -- of any stripe -- makes you shiver, this little book is just what the doctor ordered.

Rev. Thomas begins his narrative with a quote from one of his mentors, a fellow minister who said: "Religion is what you live. The rest is little more than pious platitudes." From this simple beginning, we embark on a fun, factual and fascinating trip through the hottest religious issues of the day, including:

-- Evolution vs. creationism
-- Science and faith
-- God's purpose for our lives
-- Biblical "inerrancy"
-- Miracles and their historical context
-- The role of women in the church
-- Homosexuality
-- Death and heaven
-- The end of times

Each major point is backed up with citations not only from the Bible but also from Christian history, archaeology, linguistics and the author's extensive knowledge of how they all fit together. Thomas demonstrates in the clearest terms possible that one can be a fully functioning, fully engaged Christian without descending into fundamentalist hypocrisy or intellectual prevarication.

Thomas main message is simple: God is love, so let's live our lives accordingly. To be a good Christian, you don't have to hate gays or Charles Darwin. You don't have to read the Bible like a science textbook or some ethereal document transcribed by angels. You don't have to treat women like second-class citizens. And you certainly don't have to be a "purist" (modern day Pharisee) who selectively adheres to some parts of the Bible when its convenient to advance a particular political agenda.

Many years ago Thomas' favorite poet -- Carl Sandburg -- was asked to name the dirtiest word in the English language. Sandburg said: the word "EXCLUSIVE."

That's the clever segue into Thomas' bottom line: When we seek to exclude our fellow human beings from the love of God by building walls of hatred and doctrinal exclusion, we fail as Christians. When we claim to speak for God, we end up speaking only for ourselves. Kyrie eleison.

I met Rev. Thomas at a banquet last year. I had no idea at the time that he was an ordained minister, but he certainly left me with peace and hope. The banquet was an introduction to a scholarship program maintained by the Niswonger Foundation, of which Rev. Thomas is the executive director. I made it to the "second round" of the process but failed to proceed further.

Though Rev. Thomas and I didn't have any contact past my scholarship interview, he has certainly made an impact on my life through this book. We live in an age where ignorance masquerades as wisdom if only the right buttons are pushed. (For example, politicians no longer have to convince citizens of their judgment and integrity; they merely have to dig up enough dirt on their opponent to fill a 60-second TV advertisement.) This sickening trend permeates the Church as well. Pastors and theologians simply skip right on over the "difficult verses" while claiming the "moral high-road" of biblical literalism. The congregation blindly follows their clergy, asserting that whatever is said from the pulpit has God's seal-of-approval.

But, that's not the end-all, be-all of Christianity. Rev. Thomas gives substantial hope to centrist or progressive believers like myself, who would rather promote extreme love instead of extreme hate as the message of the Gospel. This isn't a textbook, however, so don't expect a whole lot of in-depth analysis. Rev. Thomas simply tells it as it is: concisely, compassionately, and reasonably.

One reviewer didn't recommend shoppers to buy this book for their more fundamentalist friends. I wholeheartedly disagree! Christians of all stripes should be exposed to different points of view! When we surround ourselves solely with people who agree with us, it is very easy to think our views are universally correct, providentially sanctioned, and water-tight. Even if readers get angry, they're thinking.

That's one thing Rev. Thomas has done for me from the beginning. He makes me think.

Mr. Thomas approaches common issues in Christianity with plain talk and good sense.
I recommend this small but important book to all who are seeking and thinking.

Finally, someone actually read and researched the Word to discover the truth without the influence of intolerance, so-called "interest groups" or other politics...and wrote about it! Everyone should read this, especially those who call themselves Christians but are clearly intolerant and UN-Christlike.

Rev. Thomas has shown us a remarkable, open-minded view of old, crystalized concepts. (Ways of seeing). That he is well educated, knowledgable, articulate and a thinking man is obvious. He speaks confidently of what so many question in their hearts but are afraid to verbalize. I admire him - and I know whereof I speak. I have been an ordained minister for 32 years; but I, too, dare to question. But then, it is only when "we seek that we will find" the Master said. In matters of God - thinking allowed.
Kudos to this brave, true Christian. (One who does not judge his neighbor.)

. . . that is, the book itself, or my review, doesn't matter!

As a former evangelical with Theology degree from a well-known Bible College (back in the early 70s), I always felt something was not quite right with my evangelical world-view, but didn't have the courage to examine or question it. (After all, I would probably go to Hell if I jettisoned those years of training and indoctrination.)

This book PERFECTLY expresses why a lot of those fundamentalist, evangelical doctrines no longer hold any water for me. Completely logical and well-researched arguments, expressed in plain english. This is not a book for scholars, but for the everyday Christian or searcher who senses there is more (or LESS!) to this faith than the Four Spiriual Laws!)

The author clearly has a strong faith in God, without all the evangelical baggage that so many of us grew up with. Only read this book if you think you might not have all the answers. Those who have life and faith wrapped up in a nice little package, will not like this book, and will probably label him apostate and doing the devil's work!!

The jacket cover says it very well: "Ever ask yourself 'How did this all begin?' or 'why am I here?'.... Buzz Thomas knows there are millions of Americans who aren't getting their questions answered in church." While the book is short (108 pages) the author brings out many facets of a religion that are not being revealed by the clergy. This book makes you think.

Christian fundamentalists will hate this book, which is unfortunate. It offers the possibility of liberating closed minds to what Christ's message really is for us today.

A wonderful book bringing the faith to those who use their minds as well as their hearts to search for truth, for God and for meaning among the maddness of organized religion.

Not for the "I have it all figured out, it's in the Bible and that's all there is to it" crowd.

Helps readers find a Christian faith that is revealed in all its fullness, wholeness and richness, not a faith of condemnation, retribution, judgement and down right meanness.

A book of grace, hope and mercy....and good clear thought.

Don't be afraid to read it...rush to read it...but don't bother giving it to your more fundamental, Evangelical friends...it's definitely not their "cup of tea."