More Light, Less Heat: How Dialogue Can Transform Christian Conflicts into Growth - Hardcover

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JOSEPH PHELPS is pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He has been a leader in the establishment of a variety of community programs including a food bank, community ministry, and antiviolence campaigns. His experiences during the Baptist split of the 1980s make him a veteran of the kind of conflict that calls for dialogue. A popular speaker and workshop leader, Phelps has published articles on dialogue in a wide range of denominational publications.

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The ongoing battles over contemporary issues?from the role of women, to abortion, homosexuality, and euthanasia?have escalated into painful splits between liberals and conservatives throughout every level of the Christian community. Many Christians today are tired of the "culture wars," weary of rhetoric that substitutes for informed discussion, and fed up with special interest groups that claim to speak God?s truth. The current polarization within the church leaves Christians with few options. They may choose to fight or walk away. But in either case, the rifts between the sides deepen.

This breakthrough guide introduces a powerful armistice for all Christians battling this war??Dialogue.? A basic healing practice, dialogue enables people to discuss issues and disagreements in ways that allow them to learn from each other without either giving up their own beliefs or demonizing those with whom they disagree. Dialogue enables Christians at the grassroots level to effectively speak for themselves and listen deeply to each other, discussing fundamental disagreements in open, constructive, and mutually respectful ways.
Pinpointing what separates the Christian left and right, More Light, Less Heat provides the tools individuals need to engage in constructive dialogue, demonstrating how participants can strengthen their own arguments and bring forth mutual understanding. In ways that will decrease the isolation and anxiety that often accompanies such faith-based debates, Joseph Phelps offers clear and concrete models to help participants better articulate their beliefs through understanding the beliefs of others.

"Dialogue embodies the way of Jesus," says Joseph Phelps, a veteran of the contentious Baptist split of the 80s. "It is loving, strong, intentional, risky, and redemptive. It is a tool of hope in the hands of Christians. It is active peacemaking at its most basic level."
Phelps elaborates on the dynamic principles of dialogue?risk, respect, fairness, humility, teamwork, openness, listening, first-person speech, depth, and patience?and offers practical examples and stories of dialogue in action.

Written with warmth, compassion, and intelligence this important book offers a powerful and refreshing approach affecting positive change in relationships among Christians who disagree. More Light, Less Heat points the way toward true and lasting peace.

A Powerful Way to Make Peace in the Christian "Culture Wars"

A breakthrough guide for Christians of all political persuasions, More Light, Less Heat introduces the powerful principles of "dialogue," a simple and effective method for discussing fundamental disagreements in open, constructive, and mutually respectful ways. This important book offers hope and practical tools for healing the deep and painful wounds that divide members of the Christian family and step away from sensational sound bites, pointing the way toward true and lasting peace.

"So often the call to ?dialogue? masks a requirement that we set aside our deepest convictions on important questions. Joe Phelps cuts through that kind of superficiality with a wisdom and clarity that sheds much light on a difficult subject. This book should be required reading for everyone who is about to enter into a potentially divisive debate."?Richard Mouw, president, Fuller Theological Seminary

"As controversial issues continue to painfully divide the church, Joe Phelps has done a real service with this extraordinarily helpful guide to dialogue. More Light, Less Heat is just what most of us are looking for, and this book provides a road map for how to get there. I highly recommend it to all who are searching for ways to transform conflict into growth."?Jim Wallis, editor-in-chief, Sojourners

"In an era of intense political and religious polarization, this work offers grounds for and guidance toward honest, open conversation. It is an important resource for confronting the divisive issues that surround today

Aus dem Klappentext

The ongoing battles over contemporary issues?from the role of women, to abortion, homosexuality, and euthanasia?have escalated into painful splits between liberals and conservatives throughout every level of the Christian community. Many Christians today are tired of the "culture wars," weary of rhetoric that substitutes for informed discussion, and fed up with special interest groups that claim to speak God's truth. The current polarization within the church leaves Christians with few options. They may choose to fight or walk away. But in either case, the rifts between the sides deepen.This breakthrough guide introduces a powerful armistice for all Christians battling this war??Dialogue.' A basic healing practice, dialogue enables people to discuss issues and disagreements in ways that allow them to learn from each other without either giving up their own beliefs or demonizing those with whom they disagree. Dialogue enables Christians at the grassroots level to effectively speak for themselves and listen deeply to each other, discussing fundamental disagreements in open, constructive, and mutually respectful ways.Pinpointing what separates the Christian left and right, More Light, Less Heat provides the tools individuals need to engage in constructive dialogue, demonstrating how participants can strengthen their own arguments and bring forth mutual understanding. In ways that will decrease the isolation and anxiety that often accompanies such faith-based debates, Joseph Phelps offers clear and concrete models to help participants better articulate their beliefs through understanding the beliefs of others."Dialogue embodies the way of Jesus," says Joseph Phelps, a veteran of the contentious Baptist split of the 80s. "It is loving, strong, intentional, risky, and redemptive. It is a tool of hope in the hands of Christians. It is active peacemaking at its most basic level."Phelps elaborates on the dynamic principles of dialogue?risk, respect, fairness,