Fr Simon writes ...

HARDLY A DAY PASSEs without someone asking me to point them in the direction of some 'solid Christian teaching' ... some discussion material, some of the questions and some of the range of answers ... that takes proper account of the rapid developments in the realms of human ethics, philosophy, religion, science and the arts in our modern and complex world, and in our modern and complex Church. 

What is the Church for? What are Sacraments?

How are Christians to read / understand the Bible?

How are Christians to relate to biblical "moral law"?

How are Christians to relate to those of other faiths?

 

Big questions! No one person can hope to provide comprehensive answers. But I can and do heartily recommend the readily accessible work of Professor Keith Ward some of whose recent lectures are available (in audio, video & text forms at the Gresham College website), and some of whose books are included in my offered Reading list covering some of the above-mentioned topics: see his "What the Bible Really Teaches" as a thrilling appetiser, and perhaps get yourself a copy of the acclaimed Oxford Bible Commentary (2001) as an intelligent and up-to-date window on the Scriptures. Ninian Smart provides a highly respected overview of World Religions. This, together with Professor Ward's books and many other Christian Education resources can be found at Amazon UK, at Blackwell Online and at other bookshops listed here. Some are available in our parish library. Recently Advent 2007 & Lent 2008 have seen parish-based courses covering some of these topics and more are planned for the future

currently topical: Nowt so queer as folk? | Liberal Christianity