Whose Gospel?: A Concise Guide to Progressive Protestantism (Whose Religion?) [Hardcover]

James Forbes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 2010 | Series: Whose Religion?

War violates all Ten Commandments. There is no getting around this. How it does so is a matter of interpretation, but any honest reading of the list makes it hard to deny: God forbids war.
--From Whose Gospel

In Whose Gospel?, one of America's greatest living preachers offers a compelling vision of progressive social change. Known as "the preacher's preacher," Dr. James A. Forbes Jr. has tirelessly advocated progressive views on the crucial issues of our time--from poverty, war, and women's equality to racial justice, sexuality, and the environment.

Long a powerful voice for progressive Protestants, Forbes draws on a record of political commitment ranging from the civil rights movement to his stirring address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, in addition to his eighteen years at the helm of New York City's historic Riverside Church. Reflecting the insights of his years as a pastor, a teacher, and an adviser to political leaders, this inspiring manifesto "for the healing of the nations" epitomizes the best thinking of one of the country's foremost religious leaders. Published with a foreword by longtime Riverside Church member Bill Moyers, Whose Gospel? is a pithy and insightful introduction to Forbes's thought and a welcome source of inspiration in this era of hope and change.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Forbes, former pastor of the famously ecumenical Riverside Church, looks back over his life as a pastor and a black man to make a strong connection between the gospels of Christian faith and life as lived in a dynamic and changing world. As he examines issues of faith and values, he offers a primer for progressive churches and individuals on six issues: sexuality, gender equality, racial justice, economic class, war, and the environment. Forbes recalls his personal struggle with the traditions of the conservative Baptist church of his childhood and requests by gay couples for services, from communion to marriage rites. He parallels the lifelong development of individual sexuality with the challenge of dealing with church members’ sexual issues. On the issue of race, Forbes juxtaposes the gospel of racial exceptionalism so embedded in American culture against the gospel of human equality. Forbes intersperses passages from the Bible with his experiences to offer a full and compelling look at making faith and humane ideals real in the lives of church members and the nation. --Vanessa Bush

From the Publisher

A passionate call to justice from the figure Newsweek calls "one of the twelve most effective preachers in the English-speaking world"

Praise for Reverend Forbes:

Twice named by Ebony as "One of America's Greatest Black Preachers"

Praise for Whose Gospel?:
A must-read book. . . . The reader is introduced to a host of images and scenes that illuminate the text and deliver it face to face with the local and global issues of our time.
--REV. DR. JOAN BROWN CAMPBELL, FORMER GENERAL SECRETARY, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN CHRIST USA

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: New Press, The (January 12, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595583971
• ISBN-13: 978-1595583970
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #387,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars essential read for believers!, August 17, 2011

By 

Mary Lisa Gates "mlgates" (portland, or USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Whose Gospel?: A Concise Guide to Progressive Protestantism (Whose Religion?) (Hardcover)

it was after doing some research on the united church of christ that i discovered dr. james forbes and his book, "whose gospel?" what great insights and gently presented material on some hard issues. i appreciate that dr. forbes lays out his perspective based on his knowledge of the bible and his research and leaves the reader to sit with what he has offered. i think that any believer who is stuck on a particular 'ism' can benefit! thorough, concise and well thought out perspective.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Better Preacher than Writer..., April 27, 2010

By 

James Klagge "jck1954" (Blacksburg, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Whose Gospel?: A Concise Guide to Progressive Protestantism (Whose Religion?) (Hardcover)

Rev. Forbes is my favorite preacher! Unfortunately his writing is not as good. Perhaps the book is just too broad for my taste and I was expecting too much. It was more about how a liberal could find some resources and comfort in Protestantism. It does not grapple deeply with the Bible. But if you ever get a chance to hear him speak or preach--jump at it!

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whose Gospel? God's -- His Gift to the 21st Century!, September 25, 2010

By 

GrandSylvi - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Whose Gospel?: A Concise Guide to Progressive Protestantism (Whose Religion?) (Hardcover)

Bravo! Presented with brilliance and clarity, Pastor James Forbes deliniates the entire doctrinal paradigm of the much-maligned Social Gospel. He offers a framework for ministry that is suitable to address all the challenges of the 21st Century.
What a joy it must have been to sit under his ministry at the Riverside Church.