Because Daniel Liechty’s topic, "reflecting on faith in a post-Christian time" is a "living issue" that deserves serious discussion and an examination of various ways Christians understand such agenda, Liechty’s book fits the Living Issues Discussion Series. To set the conversation in motion, typically books in the series include a vigorous statement of position regarding an issue or set of issues sometimes controversial in faith circles. Then, after a book’s main text, a Responses chapter provides affirming and critical commentary followed by discussion resources. The result in this case is a fascinating blend. First, as the core of the book, Liechty testifies to his understanding of which elements of Christianity are likely to do more harm than good in a post-Christian time, and which still contribute to a meaningful faith rooted in and shaping what is so needed in our era—nonviolent thinking and living. Then four respondents, Christian Early, Marlin Jeschke, Michele Hershberger, and Brian McLaren, ponder carefully and often with passion to rival Liechty’s how Liechty’s convictions fit—or not—their understanding of Christian faith. Each assesses what elements such faith requires if it is to remain linked to historic Christian affirmations and sufficiently robust to meet the challenges of our era. Each sees merit in Liechty’s proposals and each also, particularly the first three, raises concerns. Perhaps especially in light of the intensity of some of the challenges the respondents pose, it should be emphasized that they were specifically invited to go beyond the glowing-affirmations-only evaluations which tend to ensue when publishers request advance comment on books. Rather, they were to feel free to articulate both affirmation and criticism of Liechty’s views. The result, from my point of view as series editor, was precisely what was hoped for: a variety of insightful interactions with Liechty that set in motion already within the pages of Reflecting on Faith in a Post-Christian Era a dynamic dialogue. Within this dialogue I spy particularly three questions. The first involves when in efforts to link Christianity with thought forms of the day the latter absorb the former. Many respondents see this as key and worry especially that once Liechty reconceptualizes the divine there is not enough left of a God who is, to put it simply, really there. This is an important worry and one it seems to me, a pastor who most Sundays would not find Liechty’s God quite "real" enough to preach, for Liechty to address. But there is also the question of how Christians should balance commitment to inhouse assumptions with readiness to communicate in ways accessible to those not in the "house." When I wrote a dissertation within a rhetoric program in a secular university, I aimed to ponder what could be learned by viewing the church more from outside than inside, without giving the church the only say in setting terms of the discussion (such as maybe by claiming insight through special biblical revelation which I do affirm as a preacher but which was unlikely within my university setting to be seen as carrying the day). Liechty seems to work at a similar project in this book. As McLaren more enthusiastically affirms, but other respondents also acknowledge if with more unease, this grants Liechty entrée into circles of thought where the riches of his faith might otherwise be dismissed. That is a significant contribution and might even, if I dare here draw back in the language of my "churchly" commitments as pastor, be considered an aspect of Liechty’s ministry. Something like this is what McLaren eloquently celebrates in connecting Liechty’s concerns with those of persons on the verge of losing faith. Finally there is the question of how differences in perspective should be managed. Should birds of Liechty’s feather flock together and those oriented to operating largely within historic Christian convictions remain happily in their own flock, neither flock challenging or learning from the other? I hope not. I hope this book helps flocks of more than one feather do more thinking together than they often do and even inspires them to do some flying together in an era when, God (however conceived) knows, we too often thud separately to the ground. —Michael A. King Reflecting on Faith in a Post-Christian Time orders:
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