10 Things Your Minister Wants to Tell You: But Can't, Because He Needs the Job

by Oliver Thomas

Book Overview

Reverend Buzz Thomas knows there are millions of Americans out there who just want honest answers to life's biggest questions. In 10 Things Your Minister Wants to Tell You , Rev. Thomas cuts through... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312363796
• ISBN13: 9780312363796
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 108 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Good news for intelligent Christians

An absolute revelation!10 Things Your Minister Wants to Tell You: (But Can't, Because He Needs the Job) For millions of life long/thinking Christians who feel swept out of the church by the Evangelical (fundamentalist) flood of the last two decades, this book is the ultimate reassurance. In just a few pages, and with a clarity that most liberal theologians never approach, Rev/Counselor Thomas finally explains that knot in the collective stomach of main line parishioners, now marginalized by the new church of God Lite. Finally, a thoughtful believer unafraid to challenge the Jesus-on-a-tee-shirt crowd.... with the very biblical text they habitually misapply! In just over a hundred pages, the God box of contemporary, consumer driven American Christianity is torn open and the Creator is restored to the mysterious, awesome nature that rightfully and historically are God's realm. A very important and very enjoyable read.

Concise, Compassionate, and Well-reasoned

I met Rev. Thomas at a banquet last year. I had no idea at the time that he was an ordained minister, but he certainly left me with peace and hope. The banquet was an introduction to a scholarship program maintained by the Niswonger Foundation, of which Rev. Thomas is the executive director. I made it to the "second round" of the process but failed to proceed further. Though Rev. Thomas and I didn't have any contact past my scholarship interview, he has certainly made an impact on my life through this book. We live in an age where ignorance masquerades as wisdom if only the right buttons are pushed. (For example, politicians no longer have to convince citizens of their judgment and integrity; they merely have to dig up enough dirt on their opponent to fill a 60-second TV advertisement.) This sickening trend permeates the Church as well. Pastors and theologians simply skip right on over the "difficult verses" while claiming the "moral high-road" of biblical literalism. The congregation blindly follows their clergy, asserting that whatever is said from the pulpit has God's seal-of-approval. But, that's not the end-all, be-all of Christianity. Rev. Thomas gives substantial hope to centrist or progressive believers like myself, who would rather promote extreme love instead of extreme hate as the message of the Gospel. This isn't a textbook, however, so don't expect a whole lot of in-depth analysis. Rev. Thomas simply tells it as it is: concisely, compassionately, and reasonably. One reviewer didn't recommend shoppers to buy this book for their more fundamentalist friends. I wholeheartedly disagree! Christians of all stripes should be exposed to different points of view! When we surround ourselves solely with people who agree with us, it is very easy to think our views are universally correct, providentially sanctioned, and water-tight. Even if readers get angry, they're thinking. That's one thing Rev. Thomas has done for me from the beginning. He makes me think.

At Last-A Breath of Fresh Air

Rev. Thomas has shown us a remarkable, open-minded view of old, crystalized concepts. (Ways of seeing). That he is well educated, knowledgable, articulate and a thinking man is obvious. He speaks confidently of what so many question in their hearts but are afraid to verbalize. I admire him - and I know whereof I speak. I have been an ordained minister for 32 years; but I, too, dare to question. But then, it is only when "we seek that we will find" the Master said. In matters of God - thinking allowed. Kudos to this brave, true Christian. (One who does not judge his neighbor.)

What Every Professing Christian Should Read

Finally, someone actually read and researched the Word to discover the truth without the influence of intolerance, so-called "interest groups" or other politics...and wrote about it! Everyone should read this, especially those who call themselves Christians but are clearly intolerant and UN-Christlike.

Plain talk, Good sense

Mr. Thomas approaches common issues in Christianity with plain talk and good sense. I recommend this small but important book to all who are seeking and thinking.