Donald E. Messer

An Open Christianity

Theology

“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.”

Angels We Have Heard Are High

“Charles Schuster’s brilliant, unconventional Christmas book of storytelling treasures proves not only to be a page-turner, but leaves the reader gasping for more. Yes, more theological tales revealing the divine in the ordinary—the phone call at 1:30 a.m. on Christmas morning, the barking dog, the squawking baby, the squirrel. With wit and wisdom, Schuster probes the mysterious universality of Christmas that transcends Christianity, prompting others to remember and reminisce, to imagine and to inspire.”

Being Christian in the Twenty-First Century

Theology

“Gould, in the tradition of lay theologians like C. S. Lewis, Dorothy Sayers, and William Stringfellow, writes with conviction, candor, and clarity as he articulates what it means to be Christian in the twenty-first century. Calling for a more intellectually and spiritually satisfying faith, he bases his thinking on the best biblical and theological scholarship available and presses the reader to think critically and constructively about Christianity. An educator par excellence, Gould has produced an incredible theological text designed for adults, but also fitting for post-modern youth yearning for meaning in their lives and world.”

Bethlehem Besieged

Ethics, Culture & Social Issues

“''A pastor's home under military bombardment, his young daughters dodging machine-gun fire, elderly neighbors bleeding to death because ambulances are denied access—these are the painful and poignant images of war hidden behind the headlines of the Israeli siege of Bethlehem. Mitri Raheb's personal account replaces faceless statistics with traumatic stories of innocent persons caught in the crossfire of political hatred. With faith and hope, he challenges us to overcome our sins of indifference and insensitivity to the plight of the Palestinians and calls us to work for new relationships among Jews, Muslims, and Christians.''”

Re-Calling Ministry

Church Leadership & Ministry

“Re-Calling Ministry is not a book for persons wanting ten easy steps for successful ministry or expecting seven healthy habits for spirituality. James Dittes is a theological poet who meditates on the biblical and pastoral meanings of ministry and engages the reflective practitioner of ministry in probing the deeper meanings of the vocation. His writings escape typical time boundaries as a multiplicity of ministerial metaphors tumble from his essays.”