Reverend Oliver "Buzz" Thomas

This slender volume has ten essays on particularly pointed issues in Christian teaching. The implicit argument is that minister's -- whatever their theological ilk -- have been taught the general answers to these questions but dare not share them for fear of offending -- or scandalizing -- members of their congregation. So the wisdom of the ages is kept under wraps by those afraid of losing their jobs.

Certainly, there is a tendency toward the comfortable, albeit biased, answers people are taught in Sunday School. There is comfort in faith that can be explained on bumper stickers and posters. After all, faith is not supposed to be incomprehensible: all faiths have pretty much shunned the Gnostic tendencies of those who claim God gives secret knowledge to only a few people, preferring to keep the rest of us in the dark.

On the other hand, I have met people in all kinds of churches who asks the very questions Thomas believes they don't want the answers to. I've met many pastors who are fairly open about their views, sharing their thinking with people who ask.

So I am troubled by Thomas' premise for his book. On the other hand, I largely appreciated the essays, which tackle hot topics like creation, sex, gender roles, and eternity. They are thoughtful attempts to sincerely approach these topics. Frequently I agreed with Thomas' assessments. Still, they were narrow in their approach, usually offering single competent answers to questions that have historical been answered in many ways.

Some people may find Thomas' candor and approach refreshing or novel. Thomas himself seems to be one of them. I am not.… (more)

If you have friends or family who hold conservative interpretations of biblical texts and you find it difficult to explain your own more moderate views, then this book is for you. It provides short simple takes on today's big religious questions: homosexuality, the place of women, evolution vs. creationism, the plausibility of miracles, religious pluralism, life after death and others. "This book is written for all the people who want to live lives of purpose... without having to put the...more If you have friends or family who hold conservative interpretations of biblical texts and you find it difficult to explain your own more moderate views, then this book is for you. It provides short simple takes on today's big religious questions: homosexuality, the place of women, evolution vs. creationism, the plausibility of miracles, religious pluralism, life after death and others. "This book is written for all the people who want to live lives of purpose... without having to put their brains in their pockets".

Read in May, 2007… (more)