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God without God
Western Spirituality without the Wrathful King
God without God takes the atheist case against God as a premise, then examines what remains of the western spiritual tradition when the God of presumptive monotheism is removed. It finds right at the heart of the tradition a concept of God, a concept of the divine, far more complex and mysterious than that which the atheist rightly rejects. Far from being destroyed or diminished, the tradition flourishes in its liberation.
Tackling every issue head-on, the major sections are God, Ethics, Bible, Creed, and ‘Home life, Sex and Gender’. God is the ground of all being and the sum of all divinity, the ultimate reality and mystery at the heart of our existence. The ethical system is the call to full humanity: integrity and compassion in place of disintegration. The bible and the creed come alive with new insights once the false god defined and rejected by atheism is removed from the frame of reference. The final section on home life, sex and gender uncovers more surprising and radical insights from and into the authentic western spiritual tradition. The tradition emerges with a timeless and profound integrity for body, mind and spirit.
“In a compelling book, challenging Christians and atheists alike, Michael Hampson presents a deeply authentic spirituality which reaches into the profound mystery at the centre of Christian faith. He writes with feeling and intelligence, daring both conservative and liberal believers to move beyond projecting our human insecurities on to that mystery. Hampson offers an exciting read which encourages thinking people to rediscover a spirituality that connects the tradition with their experience.” Rt Revd Laurie Green, Bishop of Bradwell
“Writing with an admirable lucidity and following a tight line of argument, Michael Hampson outlines a credible Christian theology for the twenty-first century. Critical at times of both evangelical and catholic traditions, of both liberal and conservative thinking, he seeks to make faith accessible to those for whom established forms of belief have become inappropriate in the present-day context.” Canon David Peacock, Former Pro-Rector, University of Surrey Roehampton
“A heartfelt plea for a more humanistic approach to religious belief and practice. Hampson deserves credit for speaking out against the growing authoritarianism in church-governing circles, and both believers and atheists will profit from considering his thought-provoking arguments.” Stuart Sim, Professor of Critical Theory, University of Sunderland, author of ‘Empires of Belief’
“Michael Hampson has managed to articulate what many ordinary Christians in this country have long felt and believed, as they have sought to respond day by day to a loving God - in their everyday lives, and in their Christian communities.” Christopher Rowland, Dean Ireland Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture, Queen's College, Oxford
“A challenging and inspiring enquiry into what may lie behind Western Christianity. God without God seeks to penetrate the mystery at the heart of faith and provides plenty of nourishment for theist and atheist alike.” Revd Canon Giles Goddard, Chair of Inclusive Church
“God without God is an ambitious book, and none the worse for that. It is well-written, in language that is generally non-technical but clear and accessible, and in an attractive style which is occasionally aphoristic... Strongly recommended.” Fr Brian O'Higgins, RC Diocese of Brentwood
“Western Christianity is at a major impasse, and this book gives you the major reasons why. As long as we have a punitive, petty God, whose love is entirely conditional, how can we expect history to be any different? Thank you, Michael Hampson!” Fr Richard Rohr OFM, author of ‘Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer’
“In God without God, Michael Hampson addresses what has become the central religious challenge of our time for all those who regard themselves as the moderate majority: asserting a faith which is both rational and spiritually challenging, in tune with its historical and theological roots and yet able to address the circumstances of our own day.” Fr Simon Hobbs, Grosvenor Chapel, London
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author@godwithoutgod.com
Publication UK May 2008 US June 2008
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