I’ll be hanging around here at the Cottage from 2:30-4:00 PM (Eastern)/11:30-1:00 (Pacific) for conversation. Drop in when you can and stay as long as you like. I’d like to focus on FREEING JESUS, but I’m pretty casual and am happy for AMA (“ask me anything”) questions, too. Bring your lunch or your favorite beverage and hang out.
To kick things off, I wanted to share this review about FREEING JESUS published by Library Journal.
I loved this line from the VERDICT: “Bass . . .provides a portrait of Jesus for progressive Christians of all stripes that is as tangible, compelling, and biblical as the Christ of their more fundamentalist counterparts.”
That’s EXACTLY what I hoped to do in FREEING JESUS — talk about Jesus in meaningful, personal, authentic, and biblical ways with a bigger, more inclusive, full-of-heart vision of the figure at the center of Christian faith.
We need a better Jesus to move toward a more just and loving world.
What do you think? What questions does this review raise for you?
Thanks everyone! We will do this again. I really appreciate those of you who showed up, whether you shared in the little boxes or sat with us and quietly read the comments. Peace to you this day. A great weekend to you all!
You are my friend even though we have not met in person. I did hear you speak on your book Grounded when you came to Boulder on your book tour. I am on my second time though Freeing Jesus and I have the audible book because you are reading it. I am a few years older than you so your stories of the 70's, 80's and 90's are so very much like mine. One of the gifts of newer technology allows me to talk to you, laugh with you and say "Amen" as I walk because people just think I am on the phone. It has been a gift during the past year to have companionship in stories.
At the Cottage I like the introduction of people through your quotes and poetry. More friends!
When I reclaimed my Christian identity after college's turn-off by fundamental Jesus people who burned their LPs in the chapel's fireplace each weekend, I held Jesus as a friend, an Emmaus walking-with. He did not claim the high pedestal for himself. In preaching, I have placed us in Jesus' role as much as the disciples' or the crowds'
It's been nice to see everyone's thoughts and posts and thank you Diana for this opportunity. I posted a question earlier and it was good to see that the topic was on others' minds also. In reply to your question Diana, I would love to more opportunities for the Cottage community to connect and engage with you and each other.
I was introduced to Diane Butler Bass through her book A People's History of Christianity --Wow then and now as --I read Freeing Jesus. I resonated with your prayer experience in Washington Cathedral in your introduction. I wonder is some of the movement I am feeling now spiritually and theologically in the new book is akin to Jesus not only telling us to get Him out of the church but to the dramatic cross I saw several times hanging in the "Chapel" at St. Mary of the Woods College, Jesus is Leaping off the cross! Strong and ready to join us? Wears the crown of thorns but no blood! Just I am with you? This is wholly my interpretation. But , visited it every time we were on campus during our Granddaughter's four years there. Jesus has always been know to me as friend. I am so thankful, but still learning!
Confession: I am an old, white, conservative man.....lot of strikes against me......but I am trying to be a good listener.....the only thing I am sure of is there isnt anything I can be sure of .....and maybe if i get to heaven it will all be explained to me. Ms Bass “speaks” in a way that makes me want to listen.
Why do you say Jesus is with you instead learn how This man Jesus shows us to live as our Creator created us to live! By the way love your book ! Bette from AZ
I think one of the biggest surprises in all the classes and podcasts I've been doing is HOW MUCH people like the Friend chapter. Especially ex-evangelicals who grew up with a very scary Jesus. Do you think that a renewal of the "friend" image might help us in terms of less division, or understanding our political moment in new ways?
I am enjoying the series that you are doing with St. Luke’s.
Growing up as a Christian Scientist (CS) (I am now Episcopalian) , I came away with the understanding (from CS) that Christ was a concept, that Jesus best represented that concept, and that, through our study and prayer, we could do the same things that Jesus (as the Christ) was able to do. (This may not be accurate to a CS, but it is my takeaway of what I was exposed to through my teens.)
As a result of this upbringing, I have found it hard to fully identify with the mainstream beliefs about Jesus (Lord and Saviour, part of the Trinity, humane yet divine, etc.) . In fact, I seem to hear some current Christian thinkers now sounding more and more like CS.
Hello Diana, I really appreciate your thoughts and perspectives on many things :) Is this supposed to be a video event because I just see a picture of your lovely cottage above and a stream of communications below.
I have friends in a Bible study at not my home church (liberal enough to accept a Methodist in their group). They are going to sell their beautiful 140 plus year old church that the no longer can afford. And they are going to figure out how to be a church without the building. Any advice I should pass on?
Our Spong Group has read and discussed with appreciation several of your books and have Freeing Jesus on our list for June. We have just read Brian McLaren's faith after doubt and had some difficulty identifying with his stages of spiritual development. How do you express your faith in relation to Jesus?
Opening up ourselves to new ways of thinking about Jesus really provides awesome possibilities for expanding our world vision and can be a source for healing. You carry this forward in your books and "Freeing Jesus" seems like throwing the window open and shouting to the world, "It's really true, come and see.."
You all can chat with one another, too. Just hit reply and offer a POV to another reader of the Cottage. This is the best thing about Substack - nobody here is a troll!
Hm - pondering the phrase "tangible Jesus" in the review, and the contrast with mysticism. I suppose I connect mysticism with "God" rather than Jesus. How do you see it?
During my years as a Calvinist I persisted in believing that Jesus was my Lord and Savior... never friend. Not one theologian or minister I studied with proclaimed Jesus as friend. Thank you for stating clearly that Jesus is here and there and everywhere. Our friend. I feel like I discovered that I have a big brother... At 78, thats an awesome thing...better now than never!
I've appreciated your books for a long time and wrote a review of Freeing Jesus that appeared yesterday and today in the Englewood Review of Books. I saw in Freeing Jesus a kind of follow-up to Christianity After Religion. Where do you think we now are in the process of the present "great awakening "?
My reaction to the review. Tangible, compelling and authentic portrait really hits the mark, My life in the church has been very different from your early life. It is Interesting that what inspires you now consistently takes me down new paths of understanding. Any thoughts on what you will be diving into next, now that the three books are written?
The biggest thing with Grateful is I may have found the “key” to unlocking my daughter in law. She is a Pride and Prejudice loving, pink hat wearing (yes she was in Washington with you!) social justice warrior with a career helping the homeless. The only thing missing in her life is Jesus.....and I think she might find him through you!
I loved reading your story mixed with ancient and contemporary reflections and stories of Jesus. Which came first for you in writing the book? Your own story, or other stories that just had to be included too?
Hi Diana, this is a great idea and I am new to this sort of chat but really want to ask "What makes you feel most comfortable or assured about the vision of Jesus that develops in your book?" It makes a very compelling case for a Jesus that might live next door, or be the family member that has everybody guessing.
Your writings are wonderful, Dr. Bass, and have achieved a crossover from Christian readers to general/secular readers.
As a lay writer now in a progressive church,my question is: can you say what were the important factors in achieving this crossover? Why I ask is, after I rejected my Christian upbringing, I would never have picked up a book by a theologian, but found a progressive church late and by accident that answered my objections. So I figured there would be others like me and wrote a book MS about finding "It doesn't have to be that way." Now I fear I was wrong about having a potential audience!
Your history as a young person learning in an environment that stressed Calvinistic thought as well as others who taught a specific set of beliefs mirrored my own. I felt a relief and validation reading your responses.
Welcome friends! I'm here in the Cottage at my computer - cup of green tea beside me. It is a cool-ish spring day in Virginia, but the sky is blue. I look forward to taking your questions!
Thanks everyone! We will do this again. I really appreciate those of you who showed up, whether you shared in the little boxes or sat with us and quietly read the comments. Peace to you this day. A great weekend to you all!
Just a poem to share with you here at the end of our time:
AS IF BREATHING FOR THE FIRST TIME
by David Whyte
Breathe then, as if breathing for the first time,
as if remembering with what difficulty
you came into the world, what strength it took
to turn that first impossible in-breath,
into a cry to be heard by the world.
Your essence has always been that first vulnerability
of being found, of being heard and of being seen.
and from the very beginning,
the one who has always needed,
and being given, so much invisible help.
This is how you were when you first came
into the world, this is how you are now,
all unawares, in your new body and your new life,
this is the raw vulnerability of your
every day, and this is how you will want to be,
and be remembered, when you leave the world.
Publish a couple questions ahead of the gathering.......to get us thinking .....or maybe easier to have a narrower theme or focus........
You are my friend even though we have not met in person. I did hear you speak on your book Grounded when you came to Boulder on your book tour. I am on my second time though Freeing Jesus and I have the audible book because you are reading it. I am a few years older than you so your stories of the 70's, 80's and 90's are so very much like mine. One of the gifts of newer technology allows me to talk to you, laugh with you and say "Amen" as I walk because people just think I am on the phone. It has been a gift during the past year to have companionship in stories.
At the Cottage I like the introduction of people through your quotes and poetry. More friends!
When I reclaimed my Christian identity after college's turn-off by fundamental Jesus people who burned their LPs in the chapel's fireplace each weekend, I held Jesus as a friend, an Emmaus walking-with. He did not claim the high pedestal for himself. In preaching, I have placed us in Jesus' role as much as the disciples' or the crowds'
It's been nice to see everyone's thoughts and posts and thank you Diana for this opportunity. I posted a question earlier and it was good to see that the topic was on others' minds also. In reply to your question Diana, I would love to more opportunities for the Cottage community to connect and engage with you and each other.
As we move toward 4PM eastern, can I ask you all something? What would you like to see here at The Cottage?
I was introduced to Diane Butler Bass through her book A People's History of Christianity --Wow then and now as --I read Freeing Jesus. I resonated with your prayer experience in Washington Cathedral in your introduction. I wonder is some of the movement I am feeling now spiritually and theologically in the new book is akin to Jesus not only telling us to get Him out of the church but to the dramatic cross I saw several times hanging in the "Chapel" at St. Mary of the Woods College, Jesus is Leaping off the cross! Strong and ready to join us? Wears the crown of thorns but no blood! Just I am with you? This is wholly my interpretation. But , visited it every time we were on campus during our Granddaughter's four years there. Jesus has always been know to me as friend. I am so thankful, but still learning!
Confession: I am an old, white, conservative man.....lot of strikes against me......but I am trying to be a good listener.....the only thing I am sure of is there isnt anything I can be sure of .....and maybe if i get to heaven it will all be explained to me. Ms Bass “speaks” in a way that makes me want to listen.
I really appreciate those of you who have already picked up and/or read the book. It was a meaningful project for me.
Why do you say Jesus is with you instead learn how This man Jesus shows us to live as our Creator created us to live! By the way love your book ! Bette from AZ
I think one of the biggest surprises in all the classes and podcasts I've been doing is HOW MUCH people like the Friend chapter. Especially ex-evangelicals who grew up with a very scary Jesus. Do you think that a renewal of the "friend" image might help us in terms of less division, or understanding our political moment in new ways?
I am enjoying the series that you are doing with St. Luke’s.
Growing up as a Christian Scientist (CS) (I am now Episcopalian) , I came away with the understanding (from CS) that Christ was a concept, that Jesus best represented that concept, and that, through our study and prayer, we could do the same things that Jesus (as the Christ) was able to do. (This may not be accurate to a CS, but it is my takeaway of what I was exposed to through my teens.)
As a result of this upbringing, I have found it hard to fully identify with the mainstream beliefs about Jesus (Lord and Saviour, part of the Trinity, humane yet divine, etc.) . In fact, I seem to hear some current Christian thinkers now sounding more and more like CS.
Hello Diana, I really appreciate your thoughts and perspectives on many things :) Is this supposed to be a video event because I just see a picture of your lovely cottage above and a stream of communications below.
Would you consider doing this on zoom? Maybe the fan club would be tighter that way?
I have friends in a Bible study at not my home church (liberal enough to accept a Methodist in their group). They are going to sell their beautiful 140 plus year old church that the no longer can afford. And they are going to figure out how to be a church without the building. Any advice I should pass on?
Got to run get the rest of my day's work done so I can read some more of your book. Thanks for taking the time to host the Q&A.
Our Spong Group has read and discussed with appreciation several of your books and have Freeing Jesus on our list for June. We have just read Brian McLaren's faith after doubt and had some difficulty identifying with his stages of spiritual development. How do you express your faith in relation to Jesus?
Opening up ourselves to new ways of thinking about Jesus really provides awesome possibilities for expanding our world vision and can be a source for healing. You carry this forward in your books and "Freeing Jesus" seems like throwing the window open and shouting to the world, "It's really true, come and see.."
You all can chat with one another, too. Just hit reply and offer a POV to another reader of the Cottage. This is the best thing about Substack - nobody here is a troll!
Hm - pondering the phrase "tangible Jesus" in the review, and the contrast with mysticism. I suppose I connect mysticism with "God" rather than Jesus. How do you see it?
During my years as a Calvinist I persisted in believing that Jesus was my Lord and Savior... never friend. Not one theologian or minister I studied with proclaimed Jesus as friend. Thank you for stating clearly that Jesus is here and there and everywhere. Our friend. I feel like I discovered that I have a big brother... At 78, thats an awesome thing...better now than never!
I've appreciated your books for a long time and wrote a review of Freeing Jesus that appeared yesterday and today in the Englewood Review of Books. I saw in Freeing Jesus a kind of follow-up to Christianity After Religion. Where do you think we now are in the process of the present "great awakening "?
My reaction to the review. Tangible, compelling and authentic portrait really hits the mark, My life in the church has been very different from your early life. It is Interesting that what inspires you now consistently takes me down new paths of understanding. Any thoughts on what you will be diving into next, now that the three books are written?
The biggest thing with Grateful is I may have found the “key” to unlocking my daughter in law. She is a Pride and Prejudice loving, pink hat wearing (yes she was in Washington with you!) social justice warrior with a career helping the homeless. The only thing missing in her life is Jesus.....and I think she might find him through you!
I loved reading your story mixed with ancient and contemporary reflections and stories of Jesus. Which came first for you in writing the book? Your own story, or other stories that just had to be included too?
Hope folks are following the thread well enough! I appreciate that you've come. And it is fun trying to keep up with your questions.
Hi Diana, this is a great idea and I am new to this sort of chat but really want to ask "What makes you feel most comfortable or assured about the vision of Jesus that develops in your book?" It makes a very compelling case for a Jesus that might live next door, or be the family member that has everybody guessing.
I have to say there not enough words to express how Grateful I am to have found your book Grateful!!
Your writings are wonderful, Dr. Bass, and have achieved a crossover from Christian readers to general/secular readers.
As a lay writer now in a progressive church,my question is: can you say what were the important factors in achieving this crossover? Why I ask is, after I rejected my Christian upbringing, I would never have picked up a book by a theologian, but found a progressive church late and by accident that answered my objections. So I figured there would be others like me and wrote a book MS about finding "It doesn't have to be that way." Now I fear I was wrong about having a potential audience!
I believe I read that there are many resurrections in our present lives. Is the resurrection of Jesus an actual one or is it something else?
I'm never sure what 'label' to use on my religious experiences. Is it "God", "Jesus", "Christ", or "Spirit". Are they interchangeable?
I was wondering, what was the most revelatory passage for you when you were writing the book?
Your history as a young person learning in an environment that stressed Calvinistic thought as well as others who taught a specific set of beliefs mirrored my own. I felt a relief and validation reading your responses.
No audio, correct?
Evening here in the UK
A beautiful day in michigan.....hi Ms Bass!
Hello Diana!
Welcome friends! I'm here in the Cottage at my computer - cup of green tea beside me. It is a cool-ish spring day in Virginia, but the sky is blue. I look forward to taking your questions!