The Christian Agnostic

"I believe passionately that christianity is a way of life, not a theological system with which one must be in intellectual agreement..." Thus the author takes many Christian beliefs/doctrines and discusses them from a minimalist point of view, making a strong case that loyalty to and love for Christ and his spirit go hand in hand with a rejection of much theological dogma and creed. Traditionalists may be shocked! Highly recommended! This, along with C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity," ought to be required reading for all Christians.

I read this book many years ago and recently decided to read it again. I am totally amazed at the willingness of Leslie Weatherhead to open the Christian Faith to open minded thinking. He says it's ok to be an agnostic about the doctrinal stuff, and still find great meaning and life in the core of the faith. He then proceeds to open mindedly deal with many issues in an "outside the box" kind of way. I did not agree with everything he says, but he does not require this. He gives the thinking Christian permission and blessing to think for himself or herself, and insists, that the truth of Christianity is that which we grasp and apprehend for ourselves, the rest can be stored in an imaginary file in the mind. He writes with warmth and humility. He was one of the great preachers and pastors of our time. Everyone, Christian or not, will be enriched by this special book. It was written many years ago, and dated in some respects, but the flavor of Weatherhead is a wonderful flavor indeed. I loved it.

As a perpetually confused Christian, this book spoke to me.I was searching for a way to come to terms with certain Biblical stories and teachings that didn't make sense to me. Dr. Weatherhead put everything I was feeling into words. And hearing my thoughts stated so matter-of-factly from such an astute and well-respected theologian really helped me to know I was not crazy after all. He was also able to blend modern Spiritualist theory into Christianity (I just knew they didn't have to be mutually exclusive). I highly recommend this book!

The Christian Agnostic is one of the most important books of my life. It showed me a way back from my confusing Missouri-Synod Lutheran religious upbringing to be able to look at Jesus' life and what he taught anew, and feel that Jesus would welcome me. Leslie Weatherhead was probably the second best known British Christian writer of the mid 20th century (after his friend, C.S. Lewis). At the end of his tenure as minister of the Methodist Temple in London he wrote this book because he was upset that so many people were turned off to looking at Jesus and what he taught because they were told they had to sign on the dotted line and believe all of this doctrine and dogma about him. Weatherhead writes that Jesus simply asked us to "follow me" and learn to love God and our neighbors -- and points out reasons that some thinking people question elements of Christian doctrine. As an example, while Weatherhead himself believes in Christ's literal resurrection, he spells out why others may reasonably take a more metaphysical approach to the subject. If we would only look where Jesus pointed -- and practice loving God and our neighbors instead of fighting over what we do or don't believe about him, we would be so better off. This book is a treasure and I thank Leslie Weatherhead for writing it.

I read this book over 30 years ago when I was a struggling young Christian trying to make sense of other philosophies and beliefs that I was exposed to, even drawn to. Weatherhead cleared out the cobwebs, let me know that I could wonder about some things, even believe other things, and still be a Christian, still accept the living Jesus in my life. In fact, reading this book helped make it possible. This was one of the most important books in my life.