I read Cathedral of the World to get a better sense of universalism, following a pastor friend's statement that he was a universalist. The book didn't change my own theology, which is more aligned with orthodox Protestantism. While I cannot agree with many of Church's universalist beliefs, I did find some wisdom and insight in Church's words. But it was words like the following that give me pause:

Though named after two doctrines [Unitarian Universalism], ours is a nondoctrinal faith. By definition, we don't even have to believe in our own name. We can be free from, for, or against whatever we choose. (p. 123)

Words like this do not make sense to me logically or theologically. But Church does offer some surprises. He claims, in a conservative vein, that "Liberal theology doesn't take sin and evil seriously enough" (p. 98). And I particularly admired Chapter 24, "Love and Death", written shortly before Church died from cancer.

While I don't agree with most of Church's theology -- for a book of this type, there is a glaring lack of a Scripture index -- I'm glad I read the book. ( )

Church gives new voice to the power of liberal religion, promoting community activism and social justice. This is a culmination of a lifetime of thought and lived theology, giving a clear statement of religion, faith and God.