At the River, we recognize that throughout our lives — and along our spiritual journeys — we are always discovering, growing, and becoming. Because we only ever "know in part" (1 Corinthians 13:9-12), we take the posture of learners, aware that our understanding of ourselves and of Godʼs truth will continue to unfold. As such, we value many sources of knowledge (science, scholarship, common sense, tradition, lived experience, etc.) and believe that questions, doubts, and disagreements are normal, healthy aspects of a life of faith — and ones that are often necessary portals to learning and growth.
Below, we've included some of the resources that we've found particularly helpful when considering questions related to life and faith. We've organized the sections by topic and have included links to Resource of the Week posts, past River sermons, books, podcasts, and more. If questions come up as you explore these resources, please do not hesitate to reach out to Pastor Alison ([email protected]) to set up a meeting to discuss together!
Below, we've included some of the resources that we've found particularly helpful when considering questions related to life and faith. We've organized the sections by topic and have included links to Resource of the Week posts, past River sermons, books, podcasts, and more. If questions come up as you explore these resources, please do not hesitate to reach out to Pastor Alison ([email protected]) to set up a meeting to discuss together!
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Religious Harm & HealingRelevant Sermons
Helpful Books
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The BibleOur Perspective
At the River we take the Bible seriously! For us, this means understanding how it was compiled; considering its various genres, contexts, authors, and audiences; and always interpreting through the overarching principle of unconditional love. Rather than approaching the Bible as a clear-cut guidebook for how to live, we view it as a spiritual conversation or dialogue that we are invited to join. Like the people of faith who came before us, we too can wrestle (both individually and collectively) with our understanding of who God is and with life's biggest questions — and the Bible can be a helpful tool for this kind of wrestling. Translations/Adaptations We Like
Relevant Sermons
Helpful Books
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What Is God Like?Relevant Sermons
Helpful Books
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Sin, Salvation, Heaven, & HellRelevant Sermons
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Bodies & EmbodimentRelevant Sermons
Helpful Books
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Money & WorkRelevant Sermons
Helpful Books
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Navigating Diversity & DifferenceRelevant Sermons
Helpful Books
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Relationships & CommunityRelevant Sermons
Helpful Books
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Spiritual GrowthOur Perspective
God's Spirit is moving in the world and also dwells in each of us — comforting us, guiding us, and empowering us — if we have the ears to hear. The Spirit also has the power to shape us and to transform us; to help us develop the inner resources we need to pursue, and continue pursuing unconditional love. There are many terms for this kind of process: spiritual growth, formation, maturation, sanctification. Whatever you call it, it involves becoming more and more like Jesus — embodying unconditional love in ever-expanding ways.Unfortunately, it does not seem like this is a process that happens just by calling yourself a Christian or automatically with time. If this were the case, then we would see far less racism, xenophobia, homophobia, classism, abuse, and so on, in the church and in the world at large. Instead, it seems that we must choose to cooperate with the Spirit and as we focus on our part, we can trust the Spirit to focus on theirs. Relevant Sermons
Helpful Books
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Life In All Its FullnessOur Perspective
Over the years, we've often used the tagline "life in all its fullness." Why is that? In the Gospel of John, Jesus said that he “came to give life — life in all its fullness” (John 10:10, NCV). Other translations use the term “abundant life” (NRSVUE). We believe that the pursuit of abundant life — for all people, everywhere — is a key component of a life of faith. Relevant Sermons
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