Start here
Back to the Center is a free twelve-week course in what Jesus actually said, with the Bible open and the history behind it. Here's how it works, and which edition to read.
How it works
One lesson a week, about twenty minutes. Read it, listen to it, or both.
- 1
Choose your edition
Two editions tell the same history and reach the same verdicts. One is written for believers, one for skeptics. You can switch on any lesson.
- 2
Take one lesson a week
Each lesson takes one teaching, prints what Jesus said about it, tells how the teaching took shape, and says plainly what it found. Volume 1 is twelve lessons, free online, as a PDF and as audio.
- 3
Keep his words nearby
Follow Me is every word of Jesus in one book, numbered so the lessons can point you straight to a passage: Matthew 5–7, or §19–40.
- 4
Keep going, if it helps
Volumes 2, 3 and 4 go further: the history, everyday teachings, and the hardest questions. Read them online, or get any volume in print.
Which edition is for you?
Three quick questions. There are no wrong answers, and you can switch any time.
For people who believe and want Jesus without everything built on top of him. You don't need anyone's permission to follow him, inside a church or outside one.
Start Lesson 1, CenteredFor people who see plainly where Christianity left its founder. It never asks you to believe, read the Bible or pray, and it explains who everyone is along the way.
Start Lesson 1, Honest HereticsWhat's the same, and what's different
| Centered | Honest Heretics | |
|---|---|---|
| The history and the verdicts | The same in both | |
| His words, printed in full | The same in both | |
| Written for | Believers tired of the institution | Skeptics, often raised in church |
| How it speaks | Hard news, with care | Plain and critical |
| Who's who notes | When needed | For every name |
| Asks you to read the Bible | Yes, alongside | Never |
| An optional prayer | Yes, short | No |
| Each lesson ends with | How to live it now | How to talk about it, and pass it on |
What's free, and what you can add
Everything in Volume 1 is free, and so is all the audio. Nothing else is needed to take the course.
Volume 1
Free
- Twelve lessons online
- The PDF
- The audio
Nothing to sign up for.
The rest online
$29
- Volumes 2, 3 and 4
- Every lesson, PDF and audio
- One price for all three
No book needed.
The books
$14.99
- Any volume in paperback
- $24.99 in full color
- All four for $49
Plus shipping. Follow Me is $24.99.
Everything
$69
- All four volumes in paperback
- The rest online
- Color $99 · add Follow Me for $20
Ships free.