A new Kind of Christianity: more responses

This from a former church planter and pastor:

I just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful gift of ANKoC. … these past few years have been challenging ones. In some ways perhaps a wilderness. Reading ANKoC has been such an encouragement! It has reminded me how important this Quest is and given me renewed focus. Your words and insight provide so much for thought, reflection and consideration. I have always believed that the way of Jesus is not as complicated as so many would want to make it and your ability to provide a macro view in the way you do is so helpful. I want to especially thank you for CH 20. I decided long ago on this quest, that whatever the way forward I did not want to burn every bridge behind me. Your spectrum metaphor has given me, I believe, a way of helping others to consider inclusion. May the Lord grant you wisdom and understanding as you continue in the way he leads you.

Another encouraging note after the jump:

Hi Brian: My name is xxx and today is my ?? birthday. I received the most wonderful present! I … couldn’t afford to buy your new book, so I asked my public library to consider purchasing it — and they did! I just received it today, and I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. I just finished reading the first 23 pages, and I’m ready for the adventure to begin. You’re asking EXACTLY the right questions.
I first became familiar with your work last year when I saw a copy of “The Secret Message of Jesus” on the shelves. I do not have any formal training in theology, and was worried the book might focus on some brand of gnosticism, which Paul seems to condemn. Much to my delight, the SMoJ was literally a life changing book for me. In fact, I was so excited, I recommended it to my adult Sunday School class …. This Sunday we just finished Chapter 8 on the “Scandal of the Message,” and it has been delightful to see light bulbs of the 25 people in my class go on! What an amazing discussion it has generated so far. We are so full of hope about the Kingdom of God right here, instead of the “Beam me up Scotty” theology practiced by those who think they know with certainty they will not be “Left Behind.”
I told everyone today about your new book, and how I couldn’t wait to delve in! I just read about the “whiplash” you’ve undergone with your critics, but I want to be one of the ones who encourages you on your faith journey. You are asking EXACTLY the right questions many of us have had for years. I appreciate that you’re willing to write to lay persons, instead of trying to impress the church hierarchy.
May God richly bless you in your future endeavors. …Thank you again for enriching my life and the 25 memebers of my adult Sunday school class. I have never written to an author before, and I figured it was about time!