Remedial Christianity: What Every Believer Should Know About the Faith, but Probably Doesn't

For those who have been looking for that book that helps delineate the differences between "progressive Christianity" and "traditional," "orthodox" or "creedal" Christianity, it has arrived. Paul Alan Laughlin's book Remedial Christianity is the best thing that I have come across in the nearly 20 years I have been teaching and preaching on this subject as a pastor, in classrooms and in workshops across the country. It is on my "must read" list for those who want to understand the differences in Christian perspectives. It is a well-written book that breaks nicely into eight chapters with discussion questions, exercises and lists of recommended readings after each chapter. The book is sufficiently scholarly and yet is highly readable, engaging and even entertaining. Maybe the best thing this book does is make a clear distinction between the teachings of the historical Jesus that encourages a direct, even intimate relationship with God and the "fall-sin-redemption" theology that was preached by Paul, expanded on by Augustine and ultimately adopted by the church. "What is certain is that the teachings and the actions that constituted the ministry of the man of Nazareth played no appreciable role in Paul's writings or theology." (R.C. pg178) Only the latter, Laughlin points out required a Savior in order to have a relationship with God, and that Savior became the church. Not everyone who reads this book will be swayed by all of Laughlin's arguments, but very few will come away with the same perspective on what Christianity is and how it came to be. More importantly, it can open up a real dialogue about what Christianity must become if the church is going to survive in the foreseeable future. This wonderful book has stimulated conversation throughout our congregation's life and has become a topic of discussion with friends and family of our members. I have therefore found this book not only to be one of the best educational resources we have ever used, but it has surprisingly become a tool for growth and vitality in our congregation as well.

Remedial Christianity is the type of book thinking persons need to examine, challenge and strengthen their Christian belief system. It is a breath of fresh air in the fundamentalist atmosphere in which I live. I found Dr. Laughlin's writing interesting, informative, and entertaining-- putting words and applying research to concepts I have embraced for many years. I am using the book in a Bible Study group and it has stimulated rich and exciting discussion, both positive and negative, from women of varied backgrounds, forcing us to better define what we believe and why we believe it.

When I was about one chapter into this book I stopped to wonder why it was called "remedial." As I continued to read, it dawned on me that this is a perfect title in that while a very broad range of topics relating to the history of Jesus, the Bible, the Church, and various forms of Christianity are covered, they are not covered in depth. Rather, Dr. Laughlin manages to give us enough information to make us stop and think and thirst for more. It would be easy to lapse into well deserved accolades over this book, but suffice it to say that it was exceedingly difficult to put it down and I found myself not able to read two other books at the same time as this one, as would be my normal custom. I can't help giving an excerpt that is, to me, an outstanding example of the clear and forthright prose from this scholar: "While the thorough going skepticism of many Unitarian-Universalist may be too radical for most Christians, it is quite clear that Christianity has taken a turn in that direction and will have to embrace the attitude of Liberalism in a major and deliberate way in order to survive, prosper, and maintain its relevancy in the Third Millennium. The modern scientific world view is simply too pervasive, productive, and compelling to ignore; and all of us reared in the West are so acculturated into it that we simply accept it as the way the world operates. Any religion -- Christian or otherwise -- that demands of its followers that they deny their senses and minds in order to believe, or that tries to shield them from the prevailing worldview, is doomed to anachronism, retrogression, and eventual oblivion." And there are many more worthwhile gems of wisdom and scholarly corrections to common misperceptions about the many different faces of Western Christianity. This book is logically organized, clearly documented with excellent exercises at the end of each chapter. It comes complete with wonderful bibliography and glossary of terms. It will take every lay-person with the curiosity to learn more about Christianity to the next level of understanding. My sincere wish is that so many Christians, and those of other religious paths, read and learn from this book that a grass roots movement to modernize this wonderful religion takes place. Simply a marvelous text.

I have been waiting for this book. Very clear, highly cogent,it provides in print what I have struggled to translate in my own terms in 25 years' worth teaching and preaching, confirmation, adult, inquirer, classes and retreats, all of which would have been so much easier with Laughlin's book as the basic text. What I believe to be of particular significance, in the context of today's religious climate, is that Laughlin lays out traditional and contemporary perspectives so clearly, thereby enabling the reader to see the available choices to be made regarding one's personal beliefs. RM is an example of that rare combination of sound scholarship and easy accessibility. This is simply an outstanding book. I am grateful for it. I am excited by it.

Having been with this book through several drafts, I can say with confidence that this is a very basic book for those who would like to increase their understanding of Christianity and its place in the contemporary scene. It has chapters on the Bible, God, the human Jesus, the Christ of faith, sin and human nature, grace and salvation, the Church, and a final chapter on alternative views and future prospects. The book is equallly useful for college classes in religion, for adult study groups in churches, for training courses for religions education teachers, and for the general reader. It presents the latest scholarship in lively prose, useful graphics, and with study questions and extensive references.The author's extensive knowledge of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism add richness to the discussion of Christianity by presenting the faith within the context of alternative belief systems.Bordering on brilliance, in my view, and begging for more extended discussion are the sections on "A Mythical Christ" and "A Mystical Christ."Remedial Christianity is written and illustrated with a touch of refreshing humor. It is a treasure trove of information and ideas, and it is affordable.