The Phoenix Affirmations, named for the town in which the principles were created and the mythological bird adopted by ancient Christians as a symbol of resurrection, offers disillusioned and spiritually homeless Christians and others a sense of hope and a more tolerant, joyful, and compassionate message than those we often hear from the media and some Christian leaders. These twelve central affirmative principles of Christian faith are built on the three great loves that the Bible reveals: love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self. They reflect commitments to environmental stewardship, social justice, and artistic expression as well as openness to other faiths. Transcending theological and culture wars, inclusive and generous in spirit and practice, these principles ask believers and seekers alike to affirm their Christian faith in a fresh way. Eric Elnes is one of post-liberal Christianity's most thoughtful, effective, and influential leaders. An informed and teaching pastor to both his local congregation and to his communion-at-large, he ministers also to the thousands from around the world who worship with him each week in the cyber-church, Darkwood Brew. - Phyllis Tickle, author of Emergence Christianity "You never know where the next Great Awakening is going to come from. Wherever it happens, I want to be present at the beginning, when the Spirit moves in wonderful ways. I see a spark of what very well may be the next Great Awakening here in Phoenix, Arizona." ―Dr. James Forbes, senior pastor, Riverside Church, New York City, New York The Phoenix Affirmations "You never know where the next Great Awakening is going to come from. Wherever it happens, I want to be present at the beginning, when the Spirit moves in wonderful ways. I see a spark of what very well may be the next Great Awakening in Phoenix, Arizona." —Dr. James Forbes, senior pastor, Riverside Church, New York City, New York The Phoenix Affirmations , named for the town in which they were created and the mythological bird adopted by ancient Christians as a symbol of resurrection, offers disillusioned and spiritually homeless Christians and others a sense of hope and a tolerant, joyful, and compassionate message. Built on the three great loves that the Bible reveals, love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self, these twelve affirmations reflect commitments to environmental stewardship, social justice, and artistic expression as well as openness to other faiths. Transcending theological and culture wars, inclusive and generous in spirit and practice, these principles allow believers and seekers alike to affirm their Christian faith in a fresh way. The Phoenix Affirmations "You never know where the next Great Awakening is going to come from. Wherever it happens, I want to be present at the beginning, when the Spirit moves in wonderful ways. I see a spark of what very well may be the next Great Awakening in Phoenix, Arizona." Dr. James Forbes, senior pastor, Riverside Church, New York City, New York The Phoenix Affirmations , named for the town in which they were created and the mythological bird adopted by ancient Christians as a symbol of resurrection, offers disillusioned and spiritually homeless Christians and others a sense of hope and a tolerant, joyful, and compassionate message. Built on the three great loves that the Bible reveals, love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self, these twelve affirmations reflect commitments to environmental stewardship, social justice, and artistic expression as well as openness to other faiths. Transcending theological and culture wars, inclusive and generous in spirit and practice, these principles allow believers and seekers alike to affirm their Christian faith in a fresh way. THE AUTHOR Eric Elnes, Ph.D., is a pastor and the cofounder of CrossWalk America (www.CrossWalkAmerica.org), a nonprofit organization that is launching a coast-to-coast walk starting on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006, to unite progressive Christians nationwide, encourage meaningful discussion, and establish common ground for people of faith.