https://www.scribd.com/book/163582951/The-Soul-of-Christianity-Restoring-the-Great-Tradition
The Soul Of Christianity: Restoring The Great Tradition Paperback – 4 December 2006
by Huston Smith (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 55 ratings
In this elegant and concise treatise, Huston Smith examines and puts forth what being a Christian has meant for him personally and how it shaped his life and beliefs. In contrast to the misguided course of culturally rigid and intolerant evangelical and fundamentalist Christianity on the one hand, and the non-transcendent liberal Christianity of Marcus Borg, John Shelby Spong, on the other, Smith presents a passionate and convincing argument for a vital alternative that is a deeper, authentic Christian faith that is both tolerant yet substantial
===
Denis Poisson
5.0 out of 5 stars Huston looks at the moon
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 November 2008
Verified Purchase
When the wise man point at the moon, the foolish man looks at the finger.
Huston Smith is one of the few authors who seems to have grasped the fact that religions are only systems, human maps that merely point at a truth. It is useful to have these pointers because the truth that they point to is beyond human experience, so we need pointers, metaphors, indicators, helpful words and visualisations that can give us an idea of what we're looking for.
After all, what is more important? The map that helps us understand what the ground is like or the ground itself? If the map is torn, does that change the ground itself?
Once we get to our destination, we realise that the map was useful, and did what it promised: ie. explain in human terms and on a human scale what the actual ground is like, so that you can take the appropriate direction even if (when you look up) the ground is unfamiliar.
Huston Smith understands that Christianity is such a map. A map that points to the reality that is eternal, beyond the physical world that we perceive with our mere 5 senses, and that we can only guess at.
His personal preference for this map remains nothing but that: a preference, and he uses other maps - Islam, Judaism, Hinduism Buddhism, Taoism etc... - to show that Christianity points in the same direction, and is therefore trustworthy (if all maps tell you to go south and the one you have tells you to go south too, you can assume that South is a pretty good bet!) However, he also goes into the individuality of Christianity and how its specific, exclusive features can be particularly helpful. (Much like the functions of a sat-nav versus a traditional paper map, to drive the metaphor even further)
Smith's acceptance that the Moon is what is important, not the finger really makes this a delightful read about the "finger" that I have found most accurate (Jesus' words, I mean, not the Roman Empire's Church's words).
For fans of Huxley's "the Perennial Philosophy".
3 people found this helpful
Report
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Best Overview of Christianity
Reviewed in the United States on 8 October 2022
Verified Purchase
I’ve searched a long time for this book. Simply grateful to have found it. The overview, and deep intellectual defense, is what I’ve been looking for since 2009.
Report
Beverly H.
5.0 out of 5 stars A JOY TO READ.
Reviewed in Canada on 3 November 2022
Verified Purchase
BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN.
Report
Marlene Oaks
5.0 out of 5 stars For Everyone On the Path
Reviewed in the United States on 17 June 2022
Verified Purchase
This is almost required reading. If I could, I would prescribe this book for your soul's health. I've read it before, quite a long time ago. I came to it this week with an open heart, and I was rewarded. It is stunning. It is one I will re-read. It is a treasure.
Report
Robert W. Kellemen
5.0 out of 5 stars Mr. Smith's Opus
Reviewed in the United States on 15 September 2005
Verified Purchase
Huston Smith is not one to take on small tasks, as evidenced by his universe-sized purpose statement, "I have tried to describe a Christianity which is fully compatible with everything we now know, and to indicate why Christians feel privileged to give their lives to it." If anyone has earned the right to try, Smith would be that person given his life-long scholarly, passionate pursuit of the history of world religion.
"The Soul of Christianity: Restoring the Great Tradition" arrives just in the nick of time to perhaps halt something of the great Christian capitulation to post-modern thinking. When so many other Christian authors are hyping the latest trend and hoping on the latest bandwagon, Smith calls a halt to the march.
He does so not as a naïve, head-in-the-sand cultural rejecter, but as a world-aware, Word-wise scholar who is well aware of the multiplicity of competing narratives. Smith expertly presents Christianity as THE meta-narrative that explain all the other mini-narratives. Further, he concisely and precisely sifts through the myriad of competing Christian narratives to restore the great tradition-the grand essentials of core Christian belief.
Granted, not everyone, including this reviewer, will name and claim the identical doctrines nor define them identically. However, it is difficult to refute the grand movement in the symphony that Smith composes.
Personally, one of the most helpful apologetical (reasoned, logical defense of Christianity in light of apparent contradictions) premises is Smith's pithily worded insight that modern (and post-modern) culture has not been able to "distinguish absence-of-evidence from evidence-of-absence." That is, we may not always be able to scientifically prove the active presence of God, however, nor can we prove the absence of God scientifically, and we certain can discern His affectionate, sovereign presence spiritually.
Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Soul Physicians" and "Spiritual Friends."
81 people found this helpful
Report
Donald B. Strobe
4.0 out of 5 stars Very good, but not excellent
Reviewed in the United States on 1 December 2005
Verified Purchase
The book has all of the good aspects which other reviewers have given it, but Smith should have given it a re-read before publication. It reads as though he rushed through it to get it on the market, and re-used material from his other works. (He says as much at the beginning and at the end.) I am pretty sure that he knows that the word "Christ" comes from the Greek, not the Hebrew, (as the text says), and that most New Testament scholars think that Paul did NOT write Ephesians as his very clever illustration on p.24 says. These appear to be mistakes made in the haste of writing. Still, this is a very helpful book, even though it is not quite up to the standard of C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" or even Marcus Borg's recent elucidation of the essence of Christianity. His critiques of both fundamentalism and the modern religion of scientism are on target, and worth the price of the book.
11 people found this helpful
Report
lightshow
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book Especially for Christians Who Have Explored Buddhism, Hinduism, etc.
Reviewed in the United States on 6 November 2018
Verified Purchase
Huston Smith's life was all about spirituality. He was completely open minded and open hearted and I have enjoyed his books for a few years. I identify with him very much -- I dropped acid, wandered away from Christianity (not sure he did that), have lived in India and practiced a Hindu/Vedic path, have explored Buddhism, and come back to Christianity. For me, it's been a journey reconciling my spiritual quest in other religions with my Christian faith. Smith helps me do that. He is unapologetically exuberant in his praise of other religions as he expounds the richness and, like the title says, soul of Christianity with love and devotion and passion. I recommend all his books to everyone interested in spirituality, God, Jesus, everything.
2 people found this helpful
Report
John Goerzen
4.0 out of 5 stars Mere Christianity for the 21st Century
Reviewed in the United States on 12 May 2009
Verified Purchase
I bought this book after reading Huston Smith's Why Religion Matters .
I was less impressed by this book than than Why Religion Matters, but that may have just been because I read it first and it was just so spectacularly amazing.
This was a more dense read. I had to read slowly, especially in part 1; parts 2 and 3 lightened up considerably.
I have learned quite a bit about Christianity from this book. It is a good, level-headed report that doesn't shrink from controversy, but rather reports it even-handedly where it matters and ignores it where it doesn't.
I heartily endorse it.
It is Mere Christianity for the 21st century, I'd say.
5 people found this helpful
Report
Celestra Cassidyne-Hook
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful writer, the best of what is true in Christianity
Reviewed in Canada on 16 June 2020
Verified Purchase
Huston Smith is my favorite writer on religions. Here he presents the best of Christianity with philosophical depth and beauty. Worth reading!
Report
Emily G
4.0 out of 5 stars Smith really shows the soul of Christianity
Reviewed in the United States on 17 October 2005
Verified Purchase
I read this book while at a crossroads about Christianity. Smith's views on the possibilities of this religion were hopeful and refreshing. The first chapter, which listed the beliefs of Christians was a little dry. Chapter 2, which focused on the Christian Story, was my favorite. Chapter 3 was a thoughtful history of the religion. Smith was passionate and knowledgeable without being "preachy". The bottom line, "The Soul of Christianity" reminded why I am a Christian. A good read, especially if you need a reminder.
18 people found this helpful
Report
===
===
Amos Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Smith convincingly argues that we need a radically theistic world-view. Nothing else will ultimately satisfy.
Reviewed in the United States on 25 May 2014
Verified Purchase
I learned a great deal from this book.
Smith accurately points out that human beings are hard-wired for transcendence.
That is what we yearn for instinctively.
Smith also writes that liberal churches often don't offer transcendence. Instead they offer rallying cries to be good, which ultimately doesn't satisfy. And as a result of this approach many liberal churches are digging their own graves.
We need a radically theistic world-view, which is the legacy of the Christian Mystics.
An emphasis on justice is essential, yet without a theistic world view at the center, we miss the mark.
-Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide)
7 people found this helpful
Report
Titillated
5.0 out of 5 stars A valuable review Christianity's contribution to world religions
Reviewed in the United States on 30 August 2017
Verified Purchase
An outstanding review of the core strengths of Christianity and the ways cultural developments in the 20th and early 21st centuries have impacted Christianity. It is clarifying to read a synthesis from a longtime dedicated Christian who is also the most sympathetic and knowledgeable student of all the major world faiths.
One person found this helpful
Report
JJ
5.0 out of 5 stars I felt like I never really "got" Christianity before reading this book
Reviewed in the United States on 12 November 2016
Verified Purchase
I felt like I never really "got" Christianity before reading this book. I grew up in a Western country and found Buddhism and Eastern religions much more attractive in my 20's. But after reading this book I now understand Christianity. The book addresses many modern issues around religion and is beautifully written, illuminating and inspiring.
Report
Jean E. Peterson
3.0 out of 5 stars The Soul of Christianity
Reviewed in the United States on 1 June 2015
Verified Purchase
I haven't made up my mind., some of it was very informative but i wouldn't say it depicted the soul of Christianity to me. I've had to read several parts again.I can't say I understood it or some of his ideas.. His acceptance of some of the creeds turned me off . I prefer Borg.
One person found this helpful
Report
Roy J Squires
5.0 out of 5 stars A tour deforce of Christian thought down the ages and ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 April 2017
Verified Purchase
A tour deforce of Christian thought down the ages and the language of symbolism, story and legend mixed with history and sort of biography of a kind.
Report
Allen Robins
3.0 out of 5 stars Book was interesting
Reviewed in the United States on 15 June 2013
Verified Purchase
This book was good but no where near as good as his book on World Religions. Much of the material was redundant to the material on Christianity in his World Religions book which was one of the best books I have ever read on the subject.
One person found this helpful
Report
Ahmad
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on 25 May 2017
Verified Purchase
Excellent
Report
Soulseeker2021
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 17 May 2017
Verified Purchase
This book summarizes Christian beliefs. If you are aChristian you might pick up a few bits of new information.
Report
Robert M. Wills
2.0 out of 5 stars Huston Smith is a great scholar, but dated
Reviewed in the United States on 12 September 2014
Verified Purchase
Huston Smith is a great scholar, but dated. He sets out to "refute" Marcus Borg's The Heart of Christianity and ends up simply restating the old traditional beliefs that Borg seeks to restate from a new paradigm. Smith's paradigm is traditional Christianity. He doesn't understand the new paradigm, yet he thinks it is wrong.
Report
Pam J
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 August 2017
Verified Purchase
Always an interesting read, Huston Smith does it again!
Report
====
PREFACE PROLOGUE INTRODUCTION Part One THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW Part Two THE CHRISTIAN STORY Part Three THE THREE MAIN BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY TODAY CODA ACKNOWLEDGMENTS SEARCHABLE TERMS ABOUT THE AUTHOR BOOKS BY HUSTON SMITH CREDITS COPYRIGHT ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
CONTENTS
PREFACE
PROLOGUE
INTRODUCTION
Part One
THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW
Part Two
THE CHRISTIAN STORY
Part Three
THE THREE MAIN BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY TODAY
CODA
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
SEARCHABLE TERMS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BOOKS BY HUSTON SMITH
CREDITS
COPYRIGHT
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Previous ChapterNext Chapter
CONTENTS
PREFACE
PROLOGUE
INTRODUCTION
Part One
THE CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW
Part Two
THE CHRISTIAN STORY
Part Three
THE THREE MAIN BRANCHES OF CHRISTIANITY TODAY
CODA
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
SEARCHABLE TERMS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BOOKS BY HUSTON SMITH
CREDITS
COPYRIGHT
ABOUT THE PUBLISHER
Previous ChapterNext Chapter
===
===
