Free Range Christianity
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
from Professor John Hibbs OBE PhD - Birmingham, UK.
In the introduction the author says "Fundamentalism can stand in our way". This is a book that ranges widely over the Christian faith from its roots in Jewish Scriptures, through the New Testament and the words and work of Jesus, to the Church and the nature of belief, the relationship of ethics and science, and to the contribution of other religions. At every stage the reader is encouraged to think more widely than tradition or orthodox belief would allow - the theme is expressed in Cole Porter's song Don't fence me in, printed at the start. The book is designed for easy access. Each subject appears across two pages, with quotations on the left, and comments and thoughts on the right. You can read it right through or you can dip into it, and it is very well suited to group discussion. Firmly Christian, it encourages the reader to question many things while standing by the realities of our faith. The author says: "The Christian Church has been a great instrument for good but is also responsible for great evils. We should be our own sternest critics - it should not be left to militant atheists to decry our failings." The book, he says, "is for the thoughtful, the honest, and those who welcome truth from wherever it comes." Read it - it will widen your understanding and strengthen your faith.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
-
This book is for those who enjoy the freedom of open minds.
It is for those who can feel the wind ‘that blows where it wills’.
It is for those who are glad to keep company with ‘fellow travellers’ of every kind.
It is not for those fearful of doubt or embarrassed by faith.
It is not for those who put their entire trust in Church and Bible rather than in the living God, who has gone before them.
.............................................................................................................
If there is a God, it’s going to be a lot bigger and a whole lot more incomprehensible than any theologian of any religion has ever proposed.”
— attributed to Richard Dawkins, author of “The God Delusion”.
If he is unaware, then it is Christians who have failed. We have be-littled God, pinning him between the pages of a black book, confining him behind stone walls and reducing him in our sacraments. It is time to range free again.
....................................................................................................................................
For information. For reflection. For discussion.
Something for everyone, except those who do not wish to be disturbed.
The canvas is wide. There are far horizons
with quotations drawn from a thousand voices.
"I was vastly impressed ... it is a quite invaluable treasury of source mate
About the Author
Graham Hellier is a minister of the Church of Scotland, a Methodist local preacher and former Senior Master at a Church of England comprehensive school. He lives in Herefordshire, England.