A fresh voice in the Episcopal Church addresses traditionally un-Episcopal questions that Episcopalians (and Christians in general) are asking today
New Clothes speaks to two very specific challenges we face at this unique time in the life of the church. It would seem we are equally ineffective at transforming the lives of the “un-churched” world as we are the established, declining “churched” world. Whereas one group is altogether unfamiliar with the Gospel, many sleepy pew sitters have become overly familiar with it! And both cases leave people stuck.
This book lays out the orthodox Christian message of hope in a way that speaks to each group. Using modern psychological and biblical knowledge to refresh historic Christian doctrines, including those of creation, sin, atonement, spiritual rebirth, and resurrection, it offers a springboard into practical measures we can take now to enter this story so that we might be transformed. It is the book the church needs as we re-imagine Christian life in the 21st century.
John Newton is Chief of Staff in the Diocese of Texas. He holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and Virginia Theological Seminary. Newton is passionate about Christian formation and enjoys a ministry of preaching and teaching throughout the Diocese of Texas. He lives in Austin, Texas.
“In New Clothes John Newton skillfully weaves biblical texts into our lives in a manner that illumines fundamental Christian convictions about how our lives can be lived to reflect the glory of God. This is the kind of book that hopefully many Christians will read as they will find their lives reflected in these accounts of the Christian life.”—Stanley Hauerwas, Gilbert T. Rowe Professor Emeritus of Divinity and Law at Duke Divinity School, author of Without Apology: Sermons for Christ’s Church
“With New Clothes John Newton takes his place as a theological voice of a generation. If we seek to engage life as a follower of Christ Jesus in our age we must in fact take seriously Newton’s conviction that our work is a grace filled growth into the clothing of God's salvation for which we are already fitted. Thoughtful, principled, delightful, and filled with joy, this book is a pilgrim manifesto worth carrying with you on your own journey into the new life God has sewn for all people.”—The Rt. Rev. Andy Doyle, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, author of Unabashedly Episcopalian: Proclaiming the Good News of the Episcopal Church
“John Newton has taken a fresh look at an ancient set of truths and practices and has done so in a way that makes the ideas and practices accessible to a new generation. He writes with clarity and he illustrates complicated truths with really practical stories. I commend this book to you highly.”—Jim Herrington, Co-Founder of Faithwalking and author of The Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation
“In New Clothes, John Newton explains all the big words in Christianity, and put them in everyday language to answer the big questions of life. With humor, Newton invites readers to follow a ‘logic’ for living that centers on God's love for humankind and our journey to recover of our intimacy with God.”—The Rev. Dr. Eric H. F. Law, Founder and Executive Director of the Kaleidoscope Institute
