I'm Saved, You're Saved--Maybe

This is a fascinating book and a pretty short read. The author combines his psychology expertise with his ministry background to explain many of the conflicts which occur within the church and with those outside Christianity. Although the subject is subtle and intellectual, the author lays the book out so systematically it is pretty easy to follow. A key premise of the book is that a person's intelligence is an important factor in how and to what extent their sense of morality will develop. Intelligence and reflection are not the only factors, but they are psychologically significant. This is true apart from Christianity but is applied specifically to Christian experience using numerous examples from areas as diverse as: Biblical interpretation, Gothard, Young Life and other youth movements, hymnology, social gospels, the gospel understanding of the mentally handicapped and many other areas. Early in the book, the system of three levels and six stages is briefly explained. As the book progresses more examples fill in each of these areas. Here is a summary: Level 1 - It's all about me - what I FEEL Stage 1 - My gratification preferably now - help me now, heal my pain now. I don't want hell, I do want heaven. Those who are very young, mentally impaired, about to die or otherwise emotionally strained will tend to reason about morality and salvation from this perspective. Just As I Am, etc. Stage 2 - Similar to 1 but more capable of deferred results - I will go to heaven, not hell later - still all about me. Level 2 - It's all about us - what we THINK and know - vast majority of people operate in Level 2, including through adult life. This is the only Level that strongly emphasizes particular groups of like minded followers Stage 3 - Morality through identification. Perhaps first with a charismatic youth leader, Sunday school teacher or other local leader followed by a transference from that example to Christ as the real prototype. What Would Jesus Do? Hero worship some might say. Christ the Victor leading our army to a better place. Lots of hymns like this too. Stage 4 - All of stage 3 but adds doctrinal precision and conformity. The four spiritual laws or other systematic indoctrination deepen identity with the group, not just through moral example, but shared vision and theology. Note the traditional hymns are loaded with particular theology and served the purpose of teaching it to congregations who may rarely engage the Bible itself. The underpinnings of legalism are put in place. Level 3 - I now realize it's really about what I DO and how that affects the world, perhaps broadly. This is the most objective perspective. Note this level emphasizes the individual like Level 1, but in a very different way. Stage 5 - Sees error and truth in all groups including one's own. Doctrinal specifics take a back seat to greater good measured against some objective goal deemed good. People here become socially s