The Gospel of Christian Humanism: Christianity Without God

The Gospel of Christian Humanism will appeal to skeptics, agnostics, non-theists, liberal Christians or former Christians who have difficulty with the mythology and the concept of god in traditional Christian theology but find the life and ethical teachings of Jesus compelling as a way of life and a basis for ethics.

The author maintains that Christian Humanism is essentially Christian, is justified on historical grounds, and is consistent with the teachings of Jesus and the early Church Fathers so far as we can determine with reasonable historical and literary accuracy. He argues for an approach to Christianity based on rational inquiry, human freedom, individual conscience, and a commitment to the values taught by Jesus as a guide to ethical decision-making; and further that these values are not only compatible with Christianity, they are fundamental to a proper understanding and interpretation of it.

He discusses the concept of Christian love (agape) as selfless love that affirms the dignity and worth of others as the guiding principle applied by the Christian to ethical decision making. It underlies the commitment to work for justice even against one’s own interests by standing with the powerless against the powerful, fighting for human rights, caring for the stranger in need, feeding the hungry and comforting the dying. The author concludes with a discussion of the application of Christian love to particular issues such as economic justice, the social safety net, abortion, immigration policy, the elderly, and the worker.