A CHRISTIAN FAITH FOR TODAY
By W Montgomery Watt
Published by Routledge
Reviewed by Murdoch MacKenzie
Written by a member of the Community this book begins with the stated assumption that ' most people today accept that we live in a world regulated by the laws of natural science '. Like Brian Mountford's 'Perfect Freedom' and Adrian Smith's 'A New Framework for Christian Belief' it is another current attempt to bridge the gap between Christian truth as traditionally understood and ' modernity's challenge to God '. It's strap-line is ' The intelligent person's guide to Christianity '.
In the genre of an apologia William Montgomery Watt brings his considerable scholarship to bear in a heartfelt and genuine attempt to enable 'modern Christians' to look afresh at the nature of truth, God in the universe, in human life and in the Old Testament, before going on to tackle the divinity and humanity of Jesus and the doctrine of the Trinity. His particular concerns include the definition of allegory and symbolism and the use of ' pictorial language which need not be taken literally '. He suggests how the miraculous might be received and understood from a rational perspective. The whole book attempts to convey the theology of theologians in simple language for the benefit of ordinary Christians.
To attempt all of this in 104 pages is quite an undertaking ! Whether this 'modernist' approach is still relevant amidst the burgeoning spirituality of a post-modern world is open to question. By definition 'faith' is different from 'rationality'. Most Christians alive today would not class themselves as 'modern Christians' as defined in this book, nor as being unintelligent. Even the disciples could recognise a miracle when they saw one and most fishermen know the difference between swimming and walking on water. Whilst this may be a faith for today, whether it is the faith is another matter.
Murdoch MacKenzie
By W Montgomery Watt
Published by Routledge
Reviewed by Murdoch MacKenzie
Written by a member of the Community this book begins with the stated assumption that ' most people today accept that we live in a world regulated by the laws of natural science '. Like Brian Mountford's 'Perfect Freedom' and Adrian Smith's 'A New Framework for Christian Belief' it is another current attempt to bridge the gap between Christian truth as traditionally understood and ' modernity's challenge to God '. It's strap-line is ' The intelligent person's guide to Christianity '.
In the genre of an apologia William Montgomery Watt brings his considerable scholarship to bear in a heartfelt and genuine attempt to enable 'modern Christians' to look afresh at the nature of truth, God in the universe, in human life and in the Old Testament, before going on to tackle the divinity and humanity of Jesus and the doctrine of the Trinity. His particular concerns include the definition of allegory and symbolism and the use of ' pictorial language which need not be taken literally '. He suggests how the miraculous might be received and understood from a rational perspective. The whole book attempts to convey the theology of theologians in simple language for the benefit of ordinary Christians.
To attempt all of this in 104 pages is quite an undertaking ! Whether this 'modernist' approach is still relevant amidst the burgeoning spirituality of a post-modern world is open to question. By definition 'faith' is different from 'rationality'. Most Christians alive today would not class themselves as 'modern Christians' as defined in this book, nor as being unintelligent. Even the disciples could recognise a miracle when they saw one and most fishermen know the difference between swimming and walking on water. Whilst this may be a faith for today, whether it is the faith is another matter.
Murdoch MacKenzie
