Keeping Alive the
Rumor of God: When Most People Are Looking the Other Way
Across the Western
world the traditional picture of God is dying, and institutional religion collapsing.
Today we are trying something never done before, living with no agreed
narrative that tells us who we are and with a materialist view of life.
It isn’t enough.
An idea of God may have died but the mystery of our human life is of an inner
depth which is not simply physical or material. Marvel, mystery, wonder, beauty,
love, the numinous, the mysterium tremendum, remain the essence of who
we are. What I am trying to do is describe this experience in such a way that
those who have not had it can get a glimpse of it from inside and understand
how it can give a life meaning and purpose.
This is explored
through a liberal Christian tradition committed to social justice and honest
exploration. Scripture is vital to this but so are art, poetry, music, and
beauty. When most people are looking the other way, we must keep the rumour of
God alive.
You
can buy this in the normal way or slightly cheaper from me! Amazon £20 or £15
direct from mf.camroux@gmail.com or by post from 4 Sorrel Close, Colchester,
CO4 5UL
"This is an honest,
brave, and forthright account of a preacher's life and convictions. It is an
exposition of liberal theology which shows both its apologetic potential and
the sustaining power of its attendant spirituality for churches in 'post-Christendom.'
Moving and provocative, it deserves respect and scrutiny in equal measure.
—DAVID CORNICK,
University of Cambridge
"Martin Camroux's
erudite and well-reasoned defence of his profoundly felt and deeply sincere,
life-long liberal Christian faith makes compelling reading. Dr. Camroux's
theological and literary knowledge, his understanding of church and political
history and current affairs, and his reasoned arguments and rigorous
scholarship (not to mention his blunt honesty) are enviable."
—RICHARD D. JURD, Senior
Lecturer, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex, 1975—2011, and
URC lay preacher
"Camroux offers us a
thought-provoking and reflective account of the Christian faith in the light of
the current challenging circumstances of the church. It emerges from a lifetime
of learning, worn with the lightness of touch of a preacher. Rooted in the
classical liberal tradition, this is reflection on the reality of God as
encountered in human experience. He offers an account of the faith which, even
where I might disagree, always makes me think more deeply".
—JOHN BRADBURY,
General-Secretary of the United Reformed Church
"In this book Martin
Camroux provides a clear and sincere exposition of those close twins, liberal
and mystical theology. It is born of personal experience in pastoral and
preaching ministry and richly supported by telling quotations garnered from a
lifetime of wide reading and deep reflection."
—IAN BRADLEY, author of Grace, Order, Openness and Diversity: Reclaiming Liberal 7heology
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