THE REAL CONVERSATION JESUS WANTS US TO HAVE

A call for Christians to return to the ideological roots of their faith.

In this book, author and activist Cates makes the familiar observation that Christianity in practice often varies enormously from the principles reflected in the words of Jesus Christ. “Jesus,” the author argues, “would want to know why many people who say they love him cause pain to others—often in the name of God.” Cates, who is gay and a survivor of sexual abuse, here addresses the difficult conversations she posits Jesus wants his followers to have, including discussions about social justice and gender equality. “The church can lead the way in teaching what it means to be emotionally healthy men and women alike,” she writes. “But the church has to be willing to live like Jesus first.” This theme runs throughout the work: the fact that Jesus is the essence of Christianity, and many people who profess Christianity have lost sight of that essence. In the author’s view, the essential truth of Christianity is love. “I believe we are all crying out for healing in one way or another,” Cates writes, adding that “we recognize healing is a radical lifestyle change.” This is wonderfully bracing stuff, a strong reaffirmation of a stance that Christian humanists have taken since the first Christians betrayed the tenets of the faith while professing their devotion to Christ’s teachings. The author is refreshingly tough on herself when sharing her own shortcomings while elaborating on the dangers of selfishness. “Jesus lived as love,” she writes. “To love him, we must do the same.” It’s a courageous message, particularly in a political moment when fundamentalist Christianity seems more partisan than it’s been in decades—Cates delivers that message with persuasive understatement.

A quietly powerful reminder of the gentle, loving heart of Christianity.