Christ in the Universe: Conversations on Christianity and Secular Spirituality (S/C)

Christ in the Universe is an exploration of common themes in the Gospels and the very earliest strands of Christianity, and the teaching of modern non-religious spiritual practices, which appear to be recapitulating the early teaching. The present-day teachers, are scientists, researchers or practitioners in various therapeutic modalities; their primary focus is on personal growth, not theology. The inclusion of spiritual matters into their teaching would seem to be a natural outcome of the developing understanding of what it means to be human. Their common theme is to encourage their clients/audience in the ways of being their best selves, fulfilling their potential and living in joy and gratitude, with a sense of the Divine (whatever they choose to call it).

The second part of the book opens up the subject of Jesus, not as the Son of God but as the model of what it means to be fully human. This is explored particularly in his relationships to women, as women, and in 'by-lines' which point to his humanity; bits that are generally ignored in the general run of teaching. There is also an excursus on the history of the faith, seeing how Jesus the Man came to be understood as the Son of God. Finally, by means of 'conversations', some of these overlapping themes are discussed as they relate to the events, situations and issues of everyday life.