The Transcended Christian: Spiritual Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

Daniel Helminiak's book The Transcended Christian was the right book for me at the right time. I have been struggling for years, trying to match faith with reason in Fundamentalist America, and this book did it. It isn't easy being Catholic, liberal, and a scientist; however, Daniel's calm, rational, warm, and earthy presentation of what it means to be a modern Christian, without pompous dogma and medieval magic, has saved my faith. It is an encouraging night light for those of us experiencing a dark night of the soul.

"The Transcended Christian" is one of the most important books I've read. It gives me a new sense of what church really means, a new perspective in the way I approach old beliefs, and a hope for the church and the world tomorrow.The two distinguishing characteristics of the book are honesty and clarity. The honesty is brutal and necessary. The clarity is total and all-pervading. Several quotes from Helminiak himself illustrate this."Spirituality has less to do with church and prayer and more to do with daily living.""Whether God is Trinity or not, the world still goes on and we are left to live in it.""Whether Jesus was truly God or not, we still need to live virtuous lives, and Jesus still provides a powerful example."As a lover of rich liturgy, I appreciate that Helminiak is not telling us to stop singing the hymns we know and love. But he is telling us to be aware of the liturgy of daily living. When we are conscious that the Heavenly Bread is on the altar and also in the pews in us and among us and our neighbors, we must get on with our daily lives, using this spiritual truth to love and respect believer and non-believer alike. Helminiak shows there is a spiritual wisdom that is ever the same ultimately for all religions and for those who do not believe at all. Once we get past the histories, the legends and the mythologies, we can share this wisdom with those who believe like us, differently from us, or not at all.There are many treasures in this book. I was particularly impressed with the profound meaning of "Body of Christ" which Helminiak develops and also with his ideas surrounding the Holy Spirit. I understand that when all is said and done the Holy Mysteries are still holy and still mysteries. But I have a new sense of where I am going with them in this world, here and now. I did not rush through this book, but read it slowly and thoughtfully. It was a beautiful and luminous journey.

Helminiak, Daniel. "The Transcended Christian: Spiritual Lessons for the Twenty-First Century", Alyson, 2007. Challenging Christianity Amos Lassen Daniel Helminiak blew me away with his book "What the Bible Really Says about Homosexuality" and his new book "The Transcended Christian" is a strong follow-up. We all ask ourselves what to do when our religion fails what we believe and our life experience is more than that of our clergyman. What we learn in life tends to challenge the religious beliefs we have and we must admit that the church that we belong to or used to belong to is not in touch with the reality of the world today. Helminiak is a Catholic priest who raises these questions for us and then interprets the answers for all of us who feel we are not full members of society but primarily for the GLBT population. He merges modern thought with tradition and gives us a G-d that is compassionate and a church that is, at times, hypocritical. His essays teach us to get past our doubts and regain our faith as well as deepen our spirituality. He reaches out and shows us how to grow in our relationship with G-d and stimulates the mind. He encourages and gives hope and he is a very brave man for attempting t write what he feels. We are challenged to expand our understanding and then affirms our attempts and by doing so gives us a guidebook to combat fear and division. The book is simple and powerful at the same time and it is so badly needed. This is a time that man is struggling and questioning and in the process faith suffers. I have always been a religious person but I still felt that I had established a new relationship with my religion after reading this book. This is a book that must be read by all those who face a challenge spiritually--it makes you understand so much better.

As someone who had never been particularly close with my religious side I read this book hoping that it could perhaps enlighten me. I left it feeling better about myself and my connection with God than I have ever in my entire life. I highly recomend this book for anyone with questions about their spirituality or anyone who has lost touch with it. Daniel Helminiak writes for every reader in a way that will uplift your spirit and give you new insight. Everyone, from those who doubt to those who have no doubt in their mind will find this book inpirational!

Author Helminiak, a Roman Catholic priest, a trained theologian, biblical scholar and experienced preacher addresses the current spiritual challenge facing millions of clergy and believers: how can we stay rooted in our Christianity and also grow beyond it? Immensely readable, thought-provoking, brave and HOPEFUL! A must read for Christians facing the challenge of authentic living in this time of spiritual crisis. I plan to refer to my copy often!!