The Middle Way

This wide-ranging study argues the case for Christian faith but against Christian belief with its absolutes and openness to intolerance rather than a provisional confidence accessible to experience. The Middle Way avoids extremes and presents a critical universalism that embraces uncertainty. The book draws on Jungian archetypes as well as the work on left and right hemisphere thinking developed by Iain McGilchrist while reminding readers that Christianity is essentially a religion of divine love. The left hemisphere is inclined towards rigid beliefs, while the right hemisphere understands holism and context. Christian agnosticism finds an outlet in the mystical tradition that transcends intellectual dogma and seeks integration. Christian history, however, is full of forks and divisions, which are explored in some detail. There are chapters on Jesus as an integrated teacher, Christ as the middle way, Christian practice, ethics and politics, as well as a stimulating discussion about modern atheism and the polarised debate where each side makes the critical points that they 'systematically over interpret and fail to apply to their own position' so as to score points against the opposition. Many readers are likely to find themselves sympathetic to this embodied approach that also emphasises experience, uncertainty and integration – it is a mature reflection and a positive sign for the future.