Sceptical Christianity: Exploring Credible Belief

Reiss, canon emeritus of Westminster Abbey, challenges readers with this very readable study of how Christianity can be made relevant in a scientific world. He acknowledges that religion is being questioned by a new generation of thinkers, both young and old. As critical thinkers reject the supernatural elements of Christianity%E2%80%94 the virgin birth, the resurrection of Jesus, etc.%E2%80%94they are exiting the churches in large numbers. He presents a possible curative, citing Jonathan Sacks, who posited "it was the job of science to take things apart to see how they work, but it was the job of religion to put things together to see what they mean." Following this guidance, Reiss takes the components of traditional Christianity and determines the meaning of these parts in a society disinclined to accept fanciful notions about God and the cosmos. Readers will come away from this study with a deeper appreciation for the faith of their forebears as they reach out to faithfully understand the world around them. (June)