An Open Christianity
- Theology
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
An Open Christianity creatively incorporates decades of scholarly study, thoughtful reflection, and complex theological ideas into a practical and readable no-nonsense volume unbound by doctrine, exaggerated claims, and institutional constraints. It is a timely perspective following years of defection from Christianity, especially by young adults, but also across all age cohorts. It is particularly appropriate for those who no longer believe many of the traditional Christian teachings yet yearn for a more relevant spiritual foundation for our time. It is an excellent resource for pastors seeking a more open and honest dialogue with those people they serve that yearn for a deeper faith journey. An Open Christianity will lead readers to a renewed understanding of God, Jesus, and their relationship with fellow human beings. It is about what Christianity was meant to be.
Endorsements (6)
“After reading Dr. Gould’s earlier book, Christianity for the Twenty-First Century, I was pleased to review this newest book and highly encourage my church clergy and other leaders to read it. Sam’s writing is an accessible, concise systematic Christian ecclesiology that lends itself, with chapter-ending questions for reflection, to small group study.”
“Sam Gould’s theological memoir, An Open Christianity, distills a lifetime of scholarly study, thoughtful reflection, ethical practice, and the creative weaving of complex biblical and theological ideas. He recounts his journey toward becoming an ‘open Christian,’ embracing the image of a loving Jesus and a faith unbound by rigid creeds or institutional constraints. With clarity and precision, Gould challenges exaggerated claims and problematic dogmas, advocating for a transformative reformation. Drawing on the finest scholarship, he speaks as a lay theologian with a personal credo that urges readers to reconsider our shifting culture, the decline in church commitment, and the dangerous mythology of Christian nationalism. This is a volume that will endure, rewarding those who seriously engage with it, by enriching their minds, uplifting their spirits, and calling them to new adventures in faith and life.”
“Sam Gould has combined decades of study, small group facilitation, and church leadership to provide a thoughtful expression of today’s problems facing Christianity. An Open Christianity is well suited for small group study, providing a compelling and fresh perspective on faith that avoids the stumbling blocks of supernaturalism and outmoded beliefs that have turned many away from Christianity in recent years.”
“Gould has beautifully and thoughtfully integrated his many years of reading and personal study into a very timely and helpful resource for lay people who are searching for a more coherent and compelling expression of Christianity.”
“An Open Christianity is a book for persons who still seek to live authentic and true Christianity in the way and manner of Jesus in the twenty-first century dominated by science and technology, and an anti-science ‘Christian nationalism’ that attempts to control, dominate, and rule all of religious belief and practice. The book seeks to give a fresh, new life into an understanding of the term ‘God’ and what that means for persons of faith—with that built on a foundation of a deeper human comprehension and understanding of who Jesus really was and what he lived and taught and what he wanted human persons to be in concerned, compassionate connection to, with, for, and on behalf of others. Of course, what I’ve said here can only be comprehended and understood by reading the book and seeking to live the realities it details. This book will be a serious resource for those struggling with the faith of Christianity and old claims that no longer hold any significant meaning in the modern world. It will be a significant resource for pastors who want to be more open and honest about the issues of faith with the people they serve through their ministry. It is written and published at a time in history when it is needed more than ever for those seeking to live an authentic and true faith that Jesus lived and taught. The author of this book, Sam Gould, is an exceptional lay theologian who is deeply concerned with an authentic and true faith that can be lived in the modern world and is willing to share his deep concerns with others through his writing.”
“In this book, Dr. Gould challenges Christianity to become the essence and soul of our civic and cultural well-being and to unite across its many fences that have divided us into separate religious camps for centuries. It is about what Christianity was meant to be. If you have given up on your faith’s traditions or are no longer able to believe in its theological positions but are yearning to take a fresh look at faith, this is the book for you. It will lead you to a renewed understanding of God and a better relationship with your fellow human beings.”
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