Humane Christianity. This item is unavailable.Humane Christianity

Given the failings of the institutional church, it is hardly surprising that some view Christianity with cynicism. This book seeks to regain a more positive and humane Christianity. The institutional church has much to be ashamed of in its history whether it be corruption, deceit, suppression of ideas, direct persecution, racism, patriarchy, abuse or anti-Semitism. The church can also be accused of a less-than-healthy attitude towards our physical nature, our sexuality and enjoyment of material pleasures. Given the discrepancy between what the church seems to stand for and how the gospels portray the life of Jesus, it is hardly surprising that many people regard Christianity with a certain amount of cynicism. Here, Alan Bartlett seeks to regain a sense of humane Christianity, which is marked by a fundamental shift from a negative to a positive conception of this world and from a negative to a positive motivation for the Christian life.

This plea for a humane Christianity will encourage those who have suffered from the cruelties of institutional religion, and show how faith really can affirm the worth of the human person.--Angela Tilby, Westcott House, Cambridge

At a time when many conceive of religious faith in terms of rigidity of mind and violence of action, it is vital to listen to those voices which rightly understand Christian faith in terms of astonishing divine grace and compassionate human wisdom. Alan Bartlett is one of those.--Walter Moberly, University of Durham