Finding Jesus Outside the Box:
A Progressive Christian Manifesto
On the Journey from Religion to Authentic Faith
by Rev. Jarrod Cochran
A FREE E-book from Doulos Christou Books
In Finding Jesus Outside the Box, Rev. Jarrod Cochran invites you to take part in a journey from the hand-me-down answers and dogma of religion into an authentic, living, breathing faith that is deeply rooted in the care of the world and the people within it. Using his own journey to faith as an example, Jarrod challenges the status quo of Christianity and attempts to blaze a new trail for the future of authentic Christ-followers by looking at the predominant issues facing Christianity and the world today, raising difficult questions, and offering possibly even more difficult answers. This book challenges readers to do more than simply believe, but to put that faith in a radical Rabbi from Nazareth into action.
Rev. Jarrod Cochran is a writer, a speaker, and an activist for peace, justice, and social change within the context of the church and society. He is a leadership council member of the inter-denominational,
Progressive Christian Alliance. Jarrod is also actively involved with the interfaith Network of Spiritual Progressives, the Christian networking organization Social Redemption, and Every Church a Peace Church.
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"…This is an honest man, working really hard to tell the truth about himself and his own journey of faith, and harder still to make what he's learned work for folks still struggling to let go of the hand me down lies they've been telling about God, themselves, and one another. If you want to understand the near future of Jesus-following, and especially if you want to be part of it, this book will be incredibly helpful to you. As you sneak into the head of one of the movement's most earnest and gracious leaders, you will discover what the big issues are, who the big influencers are, and how faith gets worked out among the unstuck."
- Bart Campolo, Activist, Evangelist, and Author of Things We Wish We Had Said
"While Cochran sets his sights at the Republicans, he acknowledges that following a Democratic version of Jesus can be equally as destructive. This book can be a helpful tool to those spiritual seekers who love Jesus despite the actions of His followers."
- Becky Garrison, Religious Satirist and Author of Red and Blue God; Black and Blue Church
"Jarrod Cochran's book is a compelling example of the creative transformation now breaking out in "evangelical Christianity." Cochran apparently decided to look for himself at the "good news" of the New Testament. What he found there was very different from the oppositional and exclusionary dogmas being propagated in churches all around him. He began his own journey, one that united faithfulness with courageous intelligence. FINDING JESUS OUTSIDE THE BOX is, to date, the important result of that journey."
- Delwin Brown, Author of What Does a Progressive Christian Believe?, Dean Emeritus, Pacific School of Religion, and Theological Consultant, The Beatitudes Society
“Jarrod Cochran has written a book which reflects his journey of discovering truth and changing his views accordingly. Anyone who sees their own life as a journey of discovering truth can profit by reading his book--if they are prepared to change their views accordingly! But as Jarrod hints at one place, individuals who prefer stagnation to growth will probably choose to float in some backwater or drink some stale water rather than reading this. I encourage you to be among those who read!”
- John K. Stoner, Founder of Every Church a Peace Church
