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Books

Intellectual reflections

Varieties of Unbelief by John Habgood, Darton Longman and Todd £8.95

JOHN Habgood is the former Archbishop of York and is generally acknowledged to possess one of the finest intellects in the Church of England. This book is the published version of his Bampton Lectures delivered at the University of Oxford.
It is typical of one of Habgood's patrician standing that he begins by saying how little time a bishop has for theological reflection and then goes on to demonstrate a wide depth of thought and breadth of reading from literature through to philosophy, theology and science.
The average reader will not find this an easy book to read. It deals with the highest levels of intellectual endeavour in a cultured, urbane and civilised manner. Habgood sets out to examine some typical forms of unbelief in our culture. It is not his intention to refute them so much as to understand why they have arisen and to ask the challenging question as to why the Christian faith has called them forth.
Atheism is seen as a response to certain unatttractive kinds of Christian theism. Belief therefore requires an ongoing dialogue with unbelief in order to correct itself and present its message, in which it can have a continuing and basic trust, more attractively and persuasively.
However, in examining and explaining types of unbelief, Habgood does not hesitate to show where the arguments are weak or unnecessary, or how Christian believers might respond to them. What is out of place is overconfident and unreflective assertion in an age which finds the Christian faith increasingly difficult to hold on to.
The Church needs people who can think and debate competently at this level and with the kind of confident civility Habgood displays. This book is for them.

Dr Nigel G Wright is senior pastor at Altrincham Baptist Church

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is run by CPO, supported by
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		Books Intellectual reflections Varieties of Unbelief by John Habgood, Darton Longman and Todd £8.95 JOHN Habgood is the former Archbishop of York and is generally acknowledged to possess one of the finest intellects in the Church of England. This book is the published version of his Bampton Lectures delivered at the University of Oxford. It is typical of one of Habgood's patrician standing that he begins by saying how little time a bishop has for theological reflection and then goes on to demonstrate a wide depth of thought and breadth of reading from literature through to philosophy, theology and science. The average reader will not find this an easy book to read. It deals with the highest levels of intellectual endeavour in a cultured, urbane and civilised manner. Habgood sets out to examine some typical forms of unbelief in our culture. It is not his intention to refute them so much as to understand why they have arisen and to ask the challenging question as to why the Christian faith has called them forth. Atheism is seen as a response to certain unatttractive kinds of Christian theism. Belief therefore requires an ongoing dialogue with unbelief in order to correct itself and present its message, in which it can have a continuing and basic trust, more attractively and persuasively. However, in examining and explaining types of unbelief, Habgood does not hesitate to show where the arguments are weak or unnecessary, or how Christian believers might respond to them. What is out of place is overconfident and unreflective assertion in an age which finds the Christian faith increasingly difficult to hold on to. The Church needs people who can think and debate competently at this level and with the kind of confident civility Habgood displays. This book is for them. Dr Nigel G Wright is senior pastor at Altrincham Baptist Church Next page © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.