Will Willimon

Who's Minding the Story? examines the trajectory of the United Church of Canada since its heyday in the mid-1960s. Jeff Seaton argues that the denomination accepted the criticisms leveled at it by proponents of secular theology in the 1960s and made sweeping changes to its practices, its presentation of the Christian story, and its engagement with the world. Seaton argues that these ""adjustments,"" which continue to exert strong influence in the denomination today--as witnessed in the approaches of influential contemporary United Church leaders John Pentland and Gretta Vosper--have seriously weakened the United Church's Christian identity and contributed to its decline. Engaging the work of Canadian philosopher Charles Taylor in his magisterial volume A Secular Age, Seaton questions the assumptions that undergird secular theology. The book concludes with an invitation to the United Church to make a course correction by reengaging with the Christian tradition while maintaining its commitment to social justice, in a formulation Seaton names ""progressive orthodoxy."" ""In his first book, Seaton utilizes Charles Taylor's magisterial insights to analyze the United Church of Canada's turn toward 'secular theology' in the late 1960s. Tracing its lineage from early advocates to well-known contemporary leaders, he shows how, desperate for relevance, we traded away our most potent resource: odd Jesus and his ever-relevant gospel. As you can trust a real friend to tell you the truth, Seaton diagnoses our malaise with both clarity and sympathy."" --Ryan Slifka, Lead Minister, St. George's United Church, Courtenay, British Columbia ""Jeff Seaton demonstrates how the oddness and peculiarity of the Christian story does not easily translate into the stories that the world tells itself. Little about the gospel is innate or available to modern people without the substance and agency of Christ. . . . Reading Jeff's book gave me hope for the future and a provided a way of recommitting myself to the distinctive, odd, wonderful story of Jesus Christ, reconciling God's world to God."" --Will Willimon, Duke Divinity School ""Something new is brewing north of the border. Pastors and theologians like Jeff Seaton are leading the way with a renewed desire for theology that is Trinitarian, christological, and dedicated to the blessing of the world. I learned a great deal from this winsome and erudite book and recommend it highly to those committed to seeking the renewal of the church."" --Jason Byassee, Vancouver School of Theology Jeff Seaton is an ordained minister in the United Church of Canada. Jeff earned a Master of Divinity from the Vancouver School of Theology in 2007, and was ordained to the ministry in May 2007. Following ordination, he was settled to the Kimberley pastoral charge in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. From 2011 to 2018, Jeff served as Lead Minster of Trinity United Church in Vernon, British Columbia. He has served as chair of the British Columbia Conference Pastoral Relations Committee and as a member of the Conference Executive. Jeff earned a Doctor of Ministry from Duke University in 2016.

The gospel teaches that every human is sacred. Refugee children and Islamist terrorists. Police officers and young African Americans. Unborn babies, always, and also abortionists. Orange-haired casino owners, former First Ladies, progressive hipsters, prosperity-gospel televangelists, members of Congress, Confederate-flag-waving white nationalists? Sacred. This absurd claim is at the heart of the gospel. Each person is created in the image and likeness of God. Each is someone for whom Jesus died. And if this is true, we have much work to do. The writers in this issue may not agree on the best ways and means, but each challenges us to consider the implications of this gospel of life that makes no exceptions. Also in this issue: -- A former asylum seeker returns to Iraq to stand with Christians on the run from ISIS. -- Shane Claiborne tells us why abolishing the death penalty is the church’s business. -- Joel Salatin, America’s most famous farmer, reveals what pigs can teach us about the glory of God. -- John Dear reports on the Vatican’s historic turn toward nonviolence. -- Erna Albertz tells Richard Dawkins how her sister with Down syndrome can help him. -- Gun owners respond to gun violence with a fresh take on “swords into plowshares.” -- Ron Sider looks at the consistently pro-life witness of the early church. -- A hospice nurse reflects on euthanasia and the value of being a burden. -- Jason Landsel asks what made MohammadMuhammad Ali great. Then there’s new poetry, book reviews, a children’s story, insights from Pope Francis and George MacDonald, and art by Pawel Kuczynski, Xenia Hausner, William H. Johnson, Käthe Kollwitz, and Deidre Scherer. Plough Quarterly features stories, ideas, and culture for people eager to put their faith into action. Each issue brings you in-depth articles, interviews, poetry, book reviews, and art to help you put Jesus’ message into practice and find common cause with others.

The Wesley Study Bible is revised to match the Common English Bible translation. Lead an abundant life, grow as a faithful disciple, and find new avenues to serve. By studying The Wesley Study Bible, readers will share God s grace and find the good gifts God has for them. As God transforms them through study, they will be inspired to transform the world. Contributors from across the Wesleyan family join together to help others experience God in fresh ways. The Wesley Study Bible highlights the depth of John Wesley s perspectives on scripture and features accessibly written notes and articles contributed by pastors, theologians, and Bible scholars. Easy-to-understand explanations of core terms encompass the following themes: eternal life, forgiveness, grace, heaven, holiness, justice, and mission. It is reformatted to include: New page design for easier study Holiness of Heart & Life articles provide relevant lessons for today s Christians Wesleyan Core Term notes provide a context and history of the theology of the Wesleyan faith Common English Bible translation makes this popular study Bible appealing to both clergy and laity Concordance to CEB 10-point type KEY FEATURES Comprehensive study notes on CEB by more than 50 biblical scholars Concise concordance Summary of each biblical book Sixteen pages of full-color maps with index"