The Evolution of Faith: How God Is Creating a Better Christianity

Q. What did you think of this book? A. Philip has some good ideas. He is a Quaker and he advocates universalism as a doctrine. I think he means by that that we should treat all religions equally. His goal is to find bridges between the various religions, not find differences. Q. Does he succeed in his goal? A. He makes many good points but in trying to keep on the good side of everybody, including science, often considered the enemy of religions, he gets pretty dry. By that I mean he never really considers the possibility that some people do have precognition, clairvoyance, post-cognition (of previous lives), can channel the thoughts or voices of deceased people, and other gifts most of us do not have. Gifts that could be evolutionary or divine. Q. But Philip would not believe in reincarnation. So you believe in these gifts? A. Yes, though I am not gifted with them. Philip is like the complete rational Christian who deals with the spirit in a rational manner, so everyone can buy into parts of his argument but probably not all. Actually, the book is more like a memoir than anything else. Philip, who was about 50 when he wrote the book, seems to consider himself a sage by now and he keeps going back to his younger experiences to make points. It seems he never considers the idea of giving up the past and just moving on. I guess he has considered it, but he has not done it. How else would he write such a book that depends on his own story? Q. So you resent that he includes autobiographical sketches to demonstrate his points about faith? A. No, but they do get boring after a while. I mean I grew up pretty much like he did, hoping for a bicycle for Christmas, watching how the neighbors behaved, camping out with my dad, having siblings. I am older than he is by maybe a decade. His experiences are just boring to me. I thought the book was going to be more intellectually oriented. Q. So you were disappointed and resentful? A. I finished it, that is saying something. Philip can talk the talk, that is for sure. I guess his gift is writing books and speaking to groups. That is more than I have, so that about sums it up. Q. Any comments about his style? A. Philip writes about a car dealer he and his dad visited who kept saying he was honest. His dad said, if the man keeps saying he is honest, he probably is not. I noticed that Philip several times denies being smug. I wonder has he looked at himself closely lately. Smugness comes through in this book, but that is only my smug opinion.

very good Book can't say anything bad it I've read five of his books like to read more his books especially front porch book