Martin Thielen

If I had to summarize everything I’ve learned (so far) about Christianity into two sentences, this is what I would say: The Christian faith is not primarily about a book, a creed, an institution, or even a religion. Instead, it’s primarily about living a life of love.

So, who is mostly responsible for electing Trump? White, churchgoing Americans. In spite of the fact that Trump violates everything Jesus stood for, including love, mercy, kindness, honesty, marital fidelity, compassion, character, decency, justice, humility, care for the sick, welcome of the stranger, and the list goes on and on.

From the very beginning of my Christian journey, I attempted to believe in the providence of God. I wanted to believe in it. I needed to believe in it. But I also had my doubts.

In this engaging book, Martin Thielen, best-selling author, ex-megachurch pastor, and founder of Doubter’s Parish shares his story of deconstructing and reconstructing faith.

Mean-spirited Christianity is exhausting, both for those who practice it and for those who witness it.

An interview with Martin Thielen about his new (free) book

Immediately after the horrific assassination attempt on former President Trump, people of faith began claiming that God protected him. For example, Franklin Graham unequivocally pronounced, “God spared his life.” But that popular affirmation raises difficult questions, which even Graham acknowledged.

So, how did Christianity become so mean? Although many factors contribute to mean Christianity, the primary culprit is that large numbers of American Christians, both Republicans and Democrats, care more about partisan politics and culture wars than they care about following the example and teachings of Jesus.

A five-part fictional story set in the early 1990s about Reverend Paul Graham and his congregation, Grace United Church of Christ.

A five-part fictional story set in the early 1990s about Reverend Paul Graham and his congregation, Grace United Church of Christ.

Whether you identify as a Christian, a follower of Jesus, or something else, one thing is overwhelmingly clear. The world desperately needs positive examples of authentic Christian living.

A five-part fictional story set in the early 1990s about Reverend Paul Graham and his congregation, Grace United Church of Christ.

After sharing his story, Jason asked me his provocative question, “So, do you think I am still a Christian?” I wasn’t sure how to respond. I mulled it over for a long time. I finally said, “I guess it depends on how you define Christian.

I belong to a support group of seven retired mainline clergypersons. Six of the seven no longer affirm historic, creedal, orthodox, traditional theology.

If I had to summarize my religious journey with one Bible verse, I would choose Matthew 28:17, “When they (the early disciples) saw him (the risen Christ), they worshiped him; but some doubted” (NIV).

It’s no secret that the United Methodist Church is fracturing, primarily over LGBTQ issues. Thousands of UMC churches have already disaffiliated from the denomination.

It would be refreshing for churches to boldly proclaim a countercultural message that love, compassion, community, service, and justice matter more than institutional survival.

At this point in my life and faith, knowing too little about God feels healthier than knowing too much.

Stories of clergy losing faith don’t just exist in the realm of fiction. They also exist in real life. I know because I talk to such clergy all the time. Many have retired. Some have found new careers. Others remain in ministry, struggling to navigate strained faith with Christian vocation.

Revisioning ancient faith for the modern world is not an easy task. No simple answers exist. The process will be long, complicated, conflicted, and uncertain.

Healthy doubt can save people from many toxic beliefs. For example, Christians need to doubt the horrific idea that God eternally torments people in the flames of hell for holding erroneous beliefs.

Progressive Christians are perfectly comfortable holding faith and science in harmony. For example, they believe God created the world but did so through the process of evolution.

I recently queried readers of my Doubter’s Parish website concerning their relationship with institutional religion. I specifically asked if they were (1) staying in church, (2) leaving, or (3) undecided.

Midnight Mass - In spite of the blood, gore, and violence you would expect in a vampire film, the miniseries (seven one-hour episodes) offers an engaging and thoughtful examination of American religion through the eyes of popular culture.