Category Archives: Faith

(This article comes from the text of a Quiet Day. It has 5 sections and many parts. We may be finished by Christmas!)  Introduction. Part 1: My personal journey I have reached an interesting point in my life. I have absolutely no doubt at all about the value of my spiritual life, or that aContinue reading “The foundations of faith”

Faith for atheists Part 5: Faith brings fulfilment! Why would anyone reject a source of happiness on a doctrinaire basis of, “I don’t believe in that”? Yet this is the position atheists have got themselves into. By rejecting an inadequate notion of God (the discredited one that rests on the idea of a deal) atheistsContinue reading “Faith for atheists. Part 5”

Faith for atheists Part 4: The wonderful gifts that faith brings are a simple reality, waiting to be experienced So, we need to refocus the appeal of religious claims, and in my view, living a life of faith is the best possible way to live this life – regardless of whether there is life afterContinue reading “Faith for atheists. Part 4”

Faith for atheists Part 3: If we are after the best deal, it has to be one that pays out now I will begin by using the idea of fulfilling our potential – and the tragedy of not doing so. Imagine someone with a skill or aptitude for something. It doesn’t matter what it is:Continue reading “Faith for atheists. Part 3”

Faith for atheists Part 2: Atheism only appears to be on high ground by attacking a false view of religion It’s an impressive attack, and we must show why it is false, and how religion can be again the saving grace needed by atheistic society. I aim to do this entirely by using ideas thatContinue reading “Faith for atheists. Part 2”

(A theological reflection in 5 parts) Faith for atheists Part 1: Atheism not only dismisses God, but claims the moral high ground Christian faith in the UK has declined catastrophically in the last couple of generations. I am going to argue that it would be good for people, and for society in general, if weContinue reading “Faith for atheists. Part 1”

What is faith? Part 3: Medicine for the modern world In the modern world, this faith is totally misunderstood by many who don’t have it. They think of it as a mistake, a delusion, perhaps like an infection that some people catch, but really you need to be healed of it. They think of itContinue reading “What is faith? Part 3”

What is faith? Part 2: A relationship, trusting, loving, fulfilling Faith is faith in someone, in God. It is a commitment to honour him. It is a self-giving – and a self-receiving: receiving a new, transformed version of yourself, and receiving the self that is the person of God. Faith is a promise to beContinue reading “What is faith? Part 2”

(An exploration in 3 parts) What is faith? Part 1: A verb, not a noun, active and purposeful It is a way of looking at the world, of understanding reality, of understanding yourself and all your relationships – with other people, but also your inner relationship with yourself. It is a set of values, principlesContinue reading “What is faith? Part 1”

Living a deeper life Part 7: Take a chance on what God might say next So, peace of mind is the first foundation of living a deeper life, and this depends on spiritual integrity, in terms of being true to what we believe. I think that this is what fuels deeper awareness. As we reduceContinue reading “Living a deeper life. Part 7”