Andrew Hutchison values the dialogue.Why Christian? For Those on the Edge of Faith by Douglas John Hall Fortress Press 203 pages, $22.95 "IT'S ... DOUBTING faith--or faithful doubt--that I want to dialogue with here. I think I understand it. It's where I live too, most of the time." So says Douglas John Hall, professor emeritus of McGill University McGill University, at Montreal, Que., Canada; coeducational; chartered 1821, opened 1829. It was named for James McGill, who left a bequest to establish it. Its real development dates from 1855 when John W. Dawson became principal. . Clergy and laity alike may have good reason for tuning into this dialogue during Lent. So many who occupy the pews of our churches seem to fit the description of being "on the edge of faith," not to mention the many who do not associate with a congregation, but are on private journeys of discovery. It is precisely this dialogue between doubt and faith into which we are invited during the days of Lent, if our reaffirmation re·af·firm tr.v. re·af·firmed, re·af·firm·ing, re·af·firms To affirm or assert again. re of faith at Easter is to mean anything. Dr. Hall draws upon the rich experience of more than 40 years as a theologian the·o·lo·gi·an n. One who is learned in theology. theologian Noun a person versed in the study of theology Noun 1. , teacher, and ordained or·dain tr.v. or·dained, or·dain·ing, or·dains 1. a. To invest with ministerial or priestly authority; confer holy orders on. b. To authorize as a rabbi. 2. minister to develop a composite inquirer, with whom he dialogues in his book. The inquirer has a superficial acquaintance with Christianity. The author believes that many young people have no particular fight with Christianity, but that they are sufficiently distanced from it to be curious about it again. They wonder if in fact those who profess pro·fess v. pro·fessed, pro·fess·ing, pro·fess·es v.tr. 1. To affirm openly; declare or claim: "a physics major it really present it for what it is. Dr. Hall says, "... today's apologists have to deal with simplistic sim·plism n. The tendency to oversimplify an issue or a problem by ignoring complexities or complications. [French simplisme, from simple, simple, from Old French; see simple , one-sided, and misleading representations of Christian belief and practice stemming from avowedly Christian sources." Each chapter begins with a summary of a discussion with the inquirer, and is followed by a thoughtful essay by way of response to the issues raised in the discussion. The process is not one of question and answer, but of a dialogue between two individuals who ultimately become companions on a journey, although at different points along the way. The language and thought categories are accessible, as the reader is led by these two travelers deeper and deeper into the challenge of doubt and the response of faith to issues that arise for any thoughtful Christian. Archbishop Hutchison is Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of Canada The Ecclesiastical Province of Canada was founded in 1860 and is one of four ecclesiastical provinces in the Anglican Church of Canada. Despite its name, the province covers only the former territory of Lower Canada (ie. . |
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