Preface - an explanation

This book is available from Amazon and on Kindle from 1st December 2012.

This book breaks the rules. It’s not written as an academic work. And it’s not bedtime reading. What you are about to read is this book still in formation.

It is an attempt to drive a tunnel through what has proven to be, for many, an insurmountable mountain. On one side, the vital life of convinced, experiental Christianity. On the other side, the arena of academic theology. It is written to serve the enquiring non-specialist, for the thoughtful man or woman who wants to be stimulated into making sense of what it means to have a vital relationship with the God who meets us and reveals Himself to us in Jesus Christ. It is designed to be of use to the pastor, who has to address both sides of the mountain. And it is offered also to the professional theologian, reminding them that there is another arena, apart from the academy, where issues of theology really do matter.

Mountains separate different environments. For some people, the first part of this book will be really interesting. Because it tells stories that are real, true to Christian experience. It will appeal because it touches the world of the senses: things we can feel, touch, sense. In this way, it makes sense. But for others, the simple stories will appear superficial. Lacking argument. The first part will seem lacking in logic and coherent argumentation. It will seem superficial: nonsense.

And the same is true of the second part, but in reverse. For those unused to theological argumentation, it will take a real effort to engage and understand the concepts and arguments. It will (on a bad day!) seem not to make sense. But for those who are used to the world of theological ideas and discussion, this will seem more acceptable. It makes some sense.

So this book is about building a tunnel. It invites the reader to enter two worlds. One in which they feel comfortable. One probably quite different from their own. I invite you to enter with me on the first steps of a journey, a quest to turn non-sense into sense on both sides of the mountain.

The book has three parts. The first part is a book of stories. True stories about people who have met with God through their senses, and who are or have become disciples of Jesus Christ. In these pages we celebrate the reality of God met with by real people. It relishes the experience of God that ordinary people have entered into and that I have been honoured to witness. This is what I share with you.

The second part maps the development of a pathology. A serious disease that has crippled the thinking and living of many people. It looks at how Christian belief has come to represent, for many people, non-sense. It seeks to engage with the way philosophy, politics and the pursuit of power have corrupted the message and gift that comes through Jesus Christ. It invites us to look again and ask, ‘What really is the Christian message?’ It looks at how this disease took root in the early centuries, affecting all Christian traditions; and it goes on to trace how it came to particular expression in the Scottish context. This, because I am a Scot. And also because of the effect Scottish theologians, preachers and philosophers have had on worldwide, Christian thinking.

The third part of the book looks to offer a way of marrying real Christian experience to theological understanding that can be recognised from both sides of the mountain. It is an attempt to reaffirm that theology can truly be sensible.

You live in a context and a culture, as I do. Are you persuaded that the message of the Christian Gospel is the most important, relevant and helpful message that can be shared with your family, friends, colleagues and clients? No? Then read on, and let’s see if we can change that. I’m telling the story from where I’m standing, and really believe this story can help you see how Jesus Christ can make a difference to your story. I passionately believe that theology is the ‘Queen of the Sciences’. There is no greater voyage of discovery than finding out about God made known in Jesus Christ. By meeting with God as He truly is we can discover who God has designed us to be, what we are to do and how we are to do it.

Let us begin the journey.