The Reality and Ethics of Jesus: Issues and History

* Is it essential to proclaim that Jesus actually lived in history, or is history the enemy of faith? * How can we square Christianity's tolerance and inclusiveness with the reality of sectarian violence? * Are the aims and ethics of Jesus irrelevant in our current time of skepticism and confusion about moral obligation and action? What "authority" can be claimed for Holy Scripture? * What does the free exercise of religion, affirmed in the United States Constitution, really mean? * Are the American people accepting an "idol worship" of nationalism, abetted either by a "politics of radical religion," or, conversely, by an expanding ideology of secularism? In either case, are Christian congregations becoming "aliens in a foreign land"? * What constitutes an effective and driving Christian ethics for the twenty-first century? These are the fundamental questions that Christians in America should be debating today, rather than letting themselves be caricatured as translating "values" into partisan political agendas, thereby denigrating the ultimate truth and commitment of faith. Finding basic answers to these questions is what this book is all about.

Albert C. Saunders Drawing upon lifetime experiences in several careers, Al Saunders has researched and written this book to grapple with profound issues which he believes are confronted by Christian faith today. Holding graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Duke University, Dr. Saunders moved from the pastorate to work as a Washington representative of the church and later as senior staff in the U.S. Senate. He also served more than two decades as an Army chaplain, retiring in the grade of Colonel. His involvement in various political issues and campaigns led to lectures and articles on domestic and international matters of concern to the church. He is a retired member of the Society of Christian Ethics. Al and Carol, Director of Patient Care at a neurology group practice, recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary with the families of their son and daughter, including three granddaughters, who live in San Diego, California.