This book is an alternative to what passes for Christianity in movies, television, videos, novels, political campaigns, and, sadly, in many churches. It is for Christians, people of other faiths, and people of no faiths. It is for those who have given up on religion and those with secret doubts about concepts and biblical narratives most Christians seem to believe easily. Douglas Heidt contends that traditional Christian theology deals primarily with intellectual conclusions and emotion, leaving seekers with the idea that if they believe certain propositions, and love God, they will lead safe, happy lives, and go to heaven when they die. But this book argues that Jesus didn't teach a theological or ecclesiastical system. By his words and life he simply revealed a way to live, the way God created life to be lived, the life of sacrificial, eternal, universal love, kindness, forgiveness, justice, and compassion. Life's goal is not to believe certain things and go to heaven. Life's goal is to love your neighbor. This uncomplicated assertion has crucial implications for the church, how we understand the Bible, the Christian story, and the Christian life and its conclusion. It presents ideas that may be challenging, and describes how being Christian is not what you think, it's what you do. ""As pastor, preacher, teacher, and companion on the journey of faith, the author engages the reader in deeply personal conversations about what it means to say 'God is Love and Love is God.' Encounters with children, friends, doubters, strangers, and colleagues at breakfast Bible studies and hospital visits are among the daily opportunities and challenges for wrestling with profound biblical and theological declarations of faith, life, and love. This book is a gift for the journey."" --Gay Mothershed, Retired PCUSA Executive and Christian Educator ""As a wise and trustworthy long-distance runner in pastoral ministry for one-half a century, Douglas Heidt winsomely and vulnerably shares his own hopeful expectations and difficult wrestlings with the profound mysteries and convictions of the Christian journey of faith, and also with its perplexing stumbling blocks and ambiguities. With faith, hope, and love, he enters the reader's frame of reference through compassionate conversations, disarming relational skills, and educative life experiences that will sustain, challenge, provoke, and nurture those who trust, long for, doubt, and even reject faith's foundations, wings, promises, comforts, and joys."" --Dean K. Thompson, President and Professor of Ministry Emeritus, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary ""Written with stories, pastoral insight, and a sense of humor, Douglas Heidt provides a wonderful exploration about God's love and our call to live out that love. I recommend this book for personal reflection or class study."" --Forrest Palmer, Interim Executive Presbyter, Presbytery of West Virginia ""'Distilled' is the [word] that came to mind as I read this book. Ranging over the whole spectrum of Christian life, Heidt shows his knowledge of the Bible, theology, and the organized church. Since the technical jargon of these fields means nothing to many, he proposes Love, acted out, as a synonym for God and the way to communicate to those who have kept their distance. His illustrations ring true. --Don Campbell, Pastor, former Executive in Professional Development, PCUSA Douglas Heidt is a Presbyterian (PCUSA) minister living in Charleston, WV after serving as pastor since 1969 in churches in North Carolina, Virginia, Arkansas, and West Virginia. He and his wife have two grown children, five grandchildren for whom this book is written, one dog, one cat, and one bass boat.
