CyndiLJ Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Does anyone have any suggestions for teen or pre-teen devotionals/studies/anything that is firmly planted in a liberal theological perspective? I have a son who is deeply engaged in Spirit and theology, but I can't find "food" for him that is teen oriented yet not with a fundamental or evangelical slant. Would love any ideas. Thanks! Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in MN Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 I'm assuming you mean politically liberal/progressive? Hummm, this is a tricky one. Normally I'd advise giving him classics like The Rule of St Benedict or a good translation of the Bible. Thirteen can be kinda young for that, though. I'm still in favor of a good Bible translation, for me that is the Oxford Annotated NRSV Bible with Apocrypha. Personally I'd have him start with the New Testament and then go to the Old Testament. Kids can get bogged down in the OT with the judgement and punishment cycles found there in. You could look and see if there is a UU church near you, and if they are Christian based (some UU churches lean more towards one religion than another). If you feel like it's a good fit your son could try their youth group. The UU church tends to be very good about encouraging intellectual exploration in religious matters. Let me do a bit of scouting around. My Mom is a minister and might have some ideas, and my friends on Facebook are all smart and mostly liberal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvasMom Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 (edited) I have seen a couple in our church book store (Episcopal) but haven't gone back to look more closely yet. I think we do all need to bombard Pete Enns about writing something for us! There are plenty of bible stories for little kids...we need him to write for our teens! ETA: I was assuming you are looking for theologically liberal. No idea about politically liberal devotions...I'm not sure political devotionals exist....? Edited November 4, 2012 by tjlufkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in MN Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 ETA: I was assuming you are looking for theologically liberal. No idea about politically liberal devotions...I'm not sure political devotionals exist....? I had no idea, but Liberal Christian is a specific school of thought that has nothing to do with what I thought Liberal Christianity is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Christianity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvasMom Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 I had no idea, but Liberal Christian is a specific school of thought that has nothing to do with what I thought Liberal Christianity is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_Christianity That sounds pretty accurate to me. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyndiLJ Posted November 4, 2012 Author Share Posted November 4, 2012 While liberal in a political sense would apply as well,;) I am speaking about l;=iberal/progressive Christianity...non-literal interpretation, etc. We have done a brief study last year about World Religions, and will do something deeper in a couple more, but I am really looking for something that would speak to his heart using language and theology that makes sense to him. He is not yet really ready for heavier adult content, although he has written to and met Marcus Borg. I have found nothing at all that is beyond typical Sunday School Bible stories but is not really adult oriented that is for the theologically progressive young teen...and he really, really craves it. Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Is he old enough for John Spong's books? Also, maybe look at some of those active in progressive American Baptist churches. Timothy Phillips at Seattle First Baptist (easy to find online) has excellent sermons and lessons online as well as many great articles to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 I've been trying to decide if my turning-13-this-month son is ready for Marcus Borg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Not Sunday School, and for adults, but he might like this book that compares/contrasts Marcus Borg and NT Wright views of Christianity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bensmom Posted November 4, 2012 Share Posted November 4, 2012 Sending you a pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyndiLJ Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Thanks for the great suggestions! We live an hour and a half away from a UU church, or we'd be headed there (Maybe even for me! UCC...UU...hmmm...". He is ready on some levels for the conversation around the theology expressed in Borg, but as a special needs learner he has deficits that keep him from being able to access the language right now. Phillip Gulley is a good one, I like the comparison suggestion as well with Wright and Borg, and I think Spong is just a bit over his level, too. Not theological understanding (this kid is way ahead of some adults), but actual ability to read the higher language. That seems to be the problem overall, that liberal theology is often more "heady" and uses upper level language, and it is harder to find lower level language used which he might understand. I guess my question is really, is there a "dumbed down" liberal writer, whose intended audience is adults or teens, that anyone can suggest. I do think Gulley would be good, so about that level?? Thanks!! Cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda in VT Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Would videos work? Marcus Borg recommends this series on his website. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CyndiLJ Posted November 6, 2012 Author Share Posted November 6, 2012 Actually, we just finished this series at church and he attended with the adults, we have now started the one about Jesus by the same company. Thanks for suggesting it though! It was this series that really turned him on to deeper theology. cindy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 also check the UUA website/bookstore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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