Faith in Doubt
About the Book
A priest in an emptying church asks vital questions about life and faith in a secular age.
Join the pilgrimage with Harold (the priest), John (a believer) and Rosalind (a non-believer) as they encounter challenges that re-interpret their world and themselves. In a blend of memoir, romance, and intellectual enquiry drawing on science, theology and other disciplines, the author proposes a human relationship with God that is continuously evolving (as relationships do). Such a relationship, he explains, requires us to test our assumptions and withdraw our projections:
“The underlying process of projections being embraced and then being integrated is the central dynamic of full human life. In a culture like ours when the projection of God is being withdrawn, religion’s new role will be to support awareness of, and participation in that process by which the God projection is integrated into our lives.”
Judo philosophy describes how you can take your opponent’s superior weight and momentum, and with a quick movement, turn it to your advantage. In other words, society’s widespread disbelief may have within it the seeds of a revitalized, relevant expression of faith.
All we need to do is learn the moves. With a certain kind of judo move, we’ll uncover a profound and energizing expression of faith at the very core of the secular experience.
That sounds counter-intuitive. But rather than resisting disbelief with persuasive argument, attractive programming, or impressive social action, the only effective approach to our society’s secularism will be to take disbelief seriously. That’s about the only move we haven’t tried yet.
It amounts to believing in disbelief.
That may sound not only counter-intuitive, but frankly, absurd. But then we must never forget Christianity is founded on the counter-intuitive and absurd idea that God, in the form of Jesus, was determined to follow priorities which were guaranteed to get himself executed by torture. Many in the first century thought that was absurd. We have precedent for pursuing the absurd. We'll follow the absurd love story of an atheist and a believer, and of true life love, and find how faith and science are fundamental to full human maturity.
That's as absurd as Faith in Doubt!
Join the pilgrimage with Harold (the priest), John (a believer) and Rosalind (a non-believer) as they encounter challenges that re-interpret their world and themselves. In a blend of memoir, romance, and intellectual enquiry drawing on science, theology and other disciplines, the author proposes a human relationship with God that is continuously evolving (as relationships do). Such a relationship, he explains, requires us to test our assumptions and withdraw our projections:
“The underlying process of projections being embraced and then being integrated is the central dynamic of full human life. In a culture like ours when the projection of God is being withdrawn, religion’s new role will be to support awareness of, and participation in that process by which the God projection is integrated into our lives.”
Judo philosophy describes how you can take your opponent’s superior weight and momentum, and with a quick movement, turn it to your advantage. In other words, society’s widespread disbelief may have within it the seeds of a revitalized, relevant expression of faith.
All we need to do is learn the moves. With a certain kind of judo move, we’ll uncover a profound and energizing expression of faith at the very core of the secular experience.
That sounds counter-intuitive. But rather than resisting disbelief with persuasive argument, attractive programming, or impressive social action, the only effective approach to our society’s secularism will be to take disbelief seriously. That’s about the only move we haven’t tried yet.
It amounts to believing in disbelief.
That may sound not only counter-intuitive, but frankly, absurd. But then we must never forget Christianity is founded on the counter-intuitive and absurd idea that God, in the form of Jesus, was determined to follow priorities which were guaranteed to get himself executed by torture. Many in the first century thought that was absurd. We have precedent for pursuing the absurd. We'll follow the absurd love story of an atheist and a believer, and of true life love, and find how faith and science are fundamental to full human maturity.
That's as absurd as Faith in Doubt!
Reviews
Faith in Doubt takes a courageous and honest approach to existential questions you may have been afraid to ask. It offers a breakthrough to deep joy and purpose beyond the noisy breakdowns of modernity.
Kathleen Gibson, agriculture and science journalist based in Victoria, B.C.
This book is about ‘sharing, astonishment, awe and wonder.’ An adventure in a love story that invites you to think. Worth the risk of reading! Science or Faith? Which makes most sense to you? Harold’s book discovers the distance between science and faith is imaginary. This ‘love story’ invites us on an amazing journey.
Rt. Rev. Kenneth Genge, retiree bishop of Edmonton and former director of the Sorrento Center.
There is much in the news these days around climate change, most of it distressing. Reading this book has certainly helped me to see more clearly the deep trust at the core of the Christian faith, and this is probably why, while still concerned, I’m finding myself more at peace with a broad range of scenarios of how this climate crisis may play out. I’m thankful for this book, and know that others will benefit from it too!
Dr. Nicholas May, Historian of Nisga’a Christianity, Department of History, Simon Fraser University
A bold and insightful book! The author proposes a challenging conciliation between religious faith and secular science—not an easy sell, by any means. A collaborative effort between conscientious scientists and courageous committed persons of faith just might offer hope to a burning and violence-torn planet. Warning: if the reader identifies with either group, don’t peek at the ending! ...I cannot remember reading anything on science and faith as stimulating and enjoyable as this.
Dr. William Close, MA (Cantab) Dr theol (Basel, Switzerland). Former Dean and Director, Doctor of Ministry Program, St Stephen’s College, Edmonton, and retired President, Atlantic School of Theology, Halifax, ordained minister, United Church of Canada.
God does not exist! The proof is all around us. God exists! The proof is all around us! Munn applies mediation tools like deep listening to surface a third truth calling on each camp to meet the challenge of preserving life on Earth by leaning on the other, not to meet each other halfway, but to deepen their own perspective.
Patricia Lane, Lawyer, Mediator and doubtful church goer
What if the world of faith and the world of science and secularism both point to the same underlying structure of reality? Munn is convinced they do, and argues that the time has come for each to see how their respective insights have also found expression in the other’s language, an encounter that he maintains will bring wholeness and vitality to a culture siloed by lines of faith and disbelief. The candor with which Munn shares his own faith journey and his patent interest in the connections to be made from a willingness to learn a new language make for an engaging read, but if this is not enough he weaves his argument through a delightful story of improbable but almost necessary love!
Nicholas May, PhD, historian of Nisga’a Christianity, Department of History, Simon Fraser University
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You can order your copy of Harold Munn's Faith in Doubt from most major retailers online today.
ISBNs: Paperback: 978-1-03-919601-8, Hardcover: 978-1-03-919602-5, eBook: 978-1-03-919603-2
About the Author
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Reverend Dr. Harold Munn, B.A., M.Div, D.Min, DD., has led congregations ranging from tiny churches in Canada’s far north to All Saints’ Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta. He is an associate of the international Society for Ordained Scientists, and has received awards for his writing. In addition to the cross-cultural experience of being a priest in secular culture, Harold has lived in, or in close proximity to, many cross-cultural contexts, teaching science in East Africa; with miners in northern B.C.; with oppressed women in Edmonton’s inner city; with First Nations villages in the Yukon, on the Naas River, and on Vancouver Island; in Victoria addressing homelessness, addictions, and mental health issues; and in prisons outside Vancouver. He has been active in movements opposing nuclear war, supporting social justice, and urging action to address climate collapse.
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Rev. Munn lives on the campus of UBC, Vancouver, with his wife of fifty years. They have two adult sons and four grandchildren whom he claims can be scientifically proven to be the most delightful grandkids in the world.
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