Perfect has lost nearly all meaning. A way of life, faith and theology without perfection.
Perfect has lost nearly all meaning. A way of life, faith and theology without perfection.
Anthropology, Inspirational, Personal growth
We seem to be obsessed with perfection. It's everywhere, permeating our conversations, our language, our advertising, our films and our religion. It's not only widespread across our culture; it has roots deep in the beginning of our civilization. For the sake of our well-being and our faith we need to be liberated from this pre-occupation. Past Perfect unravels some of the confusion surrounding our use of the word in many different contexts, and shapes an understanding of God that is free of this notion.
'Stephen Mitchell's lively, original and sometimes brilliant book is a sustained attack on that idea of absolute perfection. It is also part of the process by which modern Christianity is struggling to renew itself.'
Don Cupitt, author of The Sea of Faith
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Stephen Mitchell asks us to rethink what we mean by ‘perfection’, and that challenges our theology, philosophy, and notions of plain common sense. Another reader-friendly, out-of-the-box stimulant from the author of God in the Bath. ~ David Boulton, author of The Trouble with God and Who on Earth was Jesus?
Humanity’s ongoing love affair with the idea of Perfection masks the self-loathing and devaluing of the everyday on which it’s based. Stephen Mitchell alerts us to the perniciousness of such whoring after abstractions, and encourages us to find meaning and value in the downright ordinary, including ordinary religion. The post-modern distrust of meta-narratives couldn’t wish for a more persuasive advocate of the significance of what’s right in front of our eyes. A book written from a wealth of often raw personal experience, it will challenge and affirm in equal measure. Highly recommended! ~ Tony Windrossm, author of The Thoughtful Guide to Faith
Traditional Christianity was very pessimistic about our chances of finding lasting happiness in this life. For 'solid joys' we must seek the changeless perfection of the Heavenly World above. Stephen Mitchell's lively, original and sometimes brilliant book is a sustained attack on that idea of absolute perfection. It is also part of the process by which modern Christianity is struggling to renew itself. ~ Don Cupitt
