Meet the Author
Jonathan Merritt launched his career while still in seminary when he organized a group of leaders concerned with creation care, and founded the Southern Baptist Environment and Climate Initiative. He earned a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology from Emory University. Merritt writes and speaks about a wide range of issues related to faith and culture. He has published over 300 articles and written two books: Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for our Planet (201o) and A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars (2012).
Book Basics
Jonathan Merritt shares his own journey of faith alongside his hopes for those in his generation and beyond. As the son of James Merritt, a large church pastor who served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Jonathan grew up as a foot solider in the culture wars and was personally recruited by Jerry Falwell to attend Liberty University. His own life experiences, including his years of theological study, led him to believe that the future of the religious right differs from its recent past. More specifically, he believes that this group, especially its younger members, will be more open minded and hold more diverse views on issues that had previously demanded uniformity. Additionally, he invites Evangelical Christians to join him in moving beyond the culture wars.
So What?
While Merritt has shifted a bit from his earlier years, he has not broken from that tradition. Seeking to reform from within, he continues to teach in the congregation his father pastors.
- What aspects of your faith tradition do you believe need to be reformed or reconsidered? Are you actively engaging in this type of activity? If so, how?
- What voices from within your tradition are engaging in loyal dissent (for more on loyal dissent read my review of Unlearning Protestantism)? Which of these troubles you? encourages you
- Are people in their 20s and 30s at odds with those aged 60 and better on theological matters within your congregation? Denomination?
Jonathan Merritt. A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars (FaithWords, 2012). ISBN: 9780446557238.