Wow! Great job! Can’t wait to read the whole thing!
The link Helen provided opens up 46 pages of the book - the preface by Greg Barna, introduction by Jim, and first chapter (Saddleback church) plus ~2 pages of “Q&A” at the end of the chapter. (That’s a nice touch - how did that come about? & who came up with the questions?)
Jim - I have looked forward to your and Casper’s book - as well as Hemant’s and reading the first chapter of each has been exciting. My respect for all three of you grows with each page. Jim, I appreciate your transparency, integrity and openness. (it just occurred to me that that seems particularly special in describing a Christian - whereas I would expect it from the Atheists - interesting). Jim, my sense is many of us Christians have struggled with our perception of the manifestations of many Christians and are even somewhat afraid to come out and speak as you do for fear that we will be looked down on, labeled as not TRULY being Christians, etc.
I would have liked to read an introduction by Casper also. I also wondered about labeling Casper as another Friendly Atheist (which he truly appears to be) while Hemant first fell (for good reasons) into that name and we (in this blog at least) have come to recognize Hemant with this name. Might describing Casper as “a friendly atheist” - rather than “the Friendly Atheist” work?
It would have been interesting to have had your feedback had Rick Warren been there and preaching. I am not sure how well his preaching would resonate with me - but I have been immensely impressed and encouraged with his recent major AIDS conference and his ability to bring together Obama, Brownback, Gates, Bono, Laura Bush, etc to work to truly make a difference in the world. I was also impressed with how he took the criticism that he had invited Obama - things like “if I only got together with the people that I agree with on everything - I would have no one to talk to - including my wife” and his making it clear that he feels Obama (as well as Brownback) would make a good President.
Probably too late to even consider such inputs - but I pass these thoughts on in case it is not too late and in case you want to consider them.
Eliza, yes, it’s a generous excerpt and I think it really gives a feel for the book.
Marty I’m sure the book is completely finalized by this stage - it’s due out in April already. I think I’m right in saying “Casper the Friendly Atheist” is a joke based on “Casper the Friendly Ghost”. I would be very surprised if Hemant minds Jim saying that.
Marty SB - from the table of contents in the .pdf file, it looks like Casper may have written 2 of the closing chapters (they’re titled something like, “Is this really what Jesus wanted you guys to do,” and “Casper’s closing words”). Since the whole project grew from Jim’s ideas, it seemed to me like a good way to open the book. (The intro and chapter 1 are first-person, with Jim talking. It’ll be interesting to see, do they alternate from there out? Or is Jim always the narrator?)
Helen - you’re in the dedication, and one whole chapter!! How exciting!! Maybe you can get an autographed copy of the book when it’s out - or, you can autograph my copy! ;-)
Eliza- the publisher suggested the follow up Q&A as a way to provide conservative (and very concerned) Christians an opportunity to represent the classic issues they have feelings about - frankly it was an irritant to me at the time since I was tired and thought the book was done but in hindsight I really like it and think it makes the book much much stronger- Another reason why I will never edit my own books. There are quite a few more questions in the book
Marty- Thanks for your kind words- yes, as Helen mentioned “The” was added as a play on ” The” friendly ghost- Hemant will always be THE friendly atheist in my mind.
I agree about Rick Warren but the purpose of this project was to give people the very subjective “snapshot” perspective real human beings bring to their perception of things.
Until churches or pastors (or any movement or business for that matter) get’s this - and learns how to focus and function in this environment people will be free to cheery pick whatever they like about thier experience and talk as if it is straight from god him/herself.
All we are doing is holding up a mirror to churches and saying - If this is working for you than keep doing more of it - if not, then think about changing
Eliza, I knew I was in a chapter but I didn’t know about the dedication until I saw the preview today - that was a nice surprise! It was kind of Jim to include me as one of the people the book he dedicated the book to.
I liked the preview of the book, and am looking forward to reading the whole thing. (Hemant’s too) I hope all churches that consider themselves seeker-sensitive will make this a must read!
Comment by: Eliza
1Wow! Great job! Can’t wait to read the whole thing!
The link Helen provided opens up 46 pages of the book - the preface by Greg Barna, introduction by Jim, and first chapter (Saddleback church) plus ~2 pages of “Q&A” at the end of the chapter. (That’s a nice touch - how did that come about? & who came up with the questions?)
Comment by: Marty SB
2Jim - I have looked forward to your and Casper’s book - as well as Hemant’s and reading the first chapter of each has been exciting. My respect for all three of you grows with each page. Jim, I appreciate your transparency, integrity and openness. (it just occurred to me that that seems particularly special in describing a Christian - whereas I would expect it from the Atheists - interesting). Jim, my sense is many of us Christians have struggled with our perception of the manifestations of many Christians and are even somewhat afraid to come out and speak as you do for fear that we will be looked down on, labeled as not TRULY being Christians, etc.
I would have liked to read an introduction by Casper also. I also wondered about labeling Casper as another Friendly Atheist (which he truly appears to be) while Hemant first fell (for good reasons) into that name and we (in this blog at least) have come to recognize Hemant with this name. Might describing Casper as “a friendly atheist” - rather than “the Friendly Atheist” work?
It would have been interesting to have had your feedback had Rick Warren been there and preaching. I am not sure how well his preaching would resonate with me - but I have been immensely impressed and encouraged with his recent major AIDS conference and his ability to bring together Obama, Brownback, Gates, Bono, Laura Bush, etc to work to truly make a difference in the world. I was also impressed with how he took the criticism that he had invited Obama - things like “if I only got together with the people that I agree with on everything - I would have no one to talk to - including my wife” and his making it clear that he feels Obama (as well as Brownback) would make a good President.
Probably too late to even consider such inputs - but I pass these thoughts on in case it is not too late and in case you want to consider them.
Comment by: Helen
3Eliza, yes, it’s a generous excerpt and I think it really gives a feel for the book.
Marty I’m sure the book is completely finalized by this stage - it’s due out in April already. I think I’m right in saying “Casper the Friendly Atheist” is a joke based on “Casper the Friendly Ghost”. I would be very surprised if Hemant minds Jim saying that.
Hemant’s own book is also due out in April, by the way and there’s a preview of that available on the internet also.
Comment by: Eliza
4Marty SB - from the table of contents in the .pdf file, it looks like Casper may have written 2 of the closing chapters (they’re titled something like, “Is this really what Jesus wanted you guys to do,” and “Casper’s closing words”). Since the whole project grew from Jim’s ideas, it seemed to me like a good way to open the book. (The intro and chapter 1 are first-person, with Jim talking. It’ll be interesting to see, do they alternate from there out? Or is Jim always the narrator?)
Helen - you’re in the dedication, and one whole chapter!! How exciting!! Maybe you can get an autographed copy of the book when it’s out - or, you can autograph my copy! ;-)
Comment by: jim henderson
5Eliza- the publisher suggested the follow up Q&A as a way to provide conservative (and very concerned) Christians an opportunity to represent the classic issues they have feelings about - frankly it was an irritant to me at the time since I was tired and thought the book was done but in hindsight I really like it and think it makes the book much much stronger- Another reason why I will never edit my own books. There are quite a few more questions in the book
Marty- Thanks for your kind words- yes, as Helen mentioned “The” was added as a play on ” The” friendly ghost- Hemant will always be THE friendly atheist in my mind.
I agree about Rick Warren but the purpose of this project was to give people the very subjective “snapshot” perspective real human beings bring to their perception of things.
Until churches or pastors (or any movement or business for that matter) get’s this - and learns how to focus and function in this environment people will be free to cheery pick whatever they like about thier experience and talk as if it is straight from god him/herself.
All we are doing is holding up a mirror to churches and saying - If this is working for you than keep doing more of it - if not, then think about changing
Thanks for caring
Jim
Comment by: Helen
6Eliza, I knew I was in a chapter but I didn’t know about the dedication until I saw the preview today - that was a nice surprise! It was kind of Jim to include me as one of the people the book he dedicated the book to.
Comment by: julie marie
7I liked the preview of the book, and am looking forward to reading the whole thing. (Hemant’s too) I hope all churches that consider themselves seeker-sensitive will make this a must read!
Comment by: Doreen
8Jim - will you play yourself in the Broadway adaptation?
:)
poetcomic.blogspot.com
Comment by: jim henderson
9Doreen
Maybe they would hire me - as long as I could do it over the phone
Casper is really the talented one- He is incredibly funny - I do hope to get him on TV