The Goldilocks God

Guy Collins is rector of St Thomas Church, Hanover, and the Episcopal Chaplain to Dartmouth College.

Chapter 1 The Enigma of Elizabeth Chapter 2 Kierkegaard's Courage Chapter 3 The Science of the Soul Chapter 4 "It can be no disgrace to confesse wee are ignorant." Chapter 5 The Antiquity of Diversity Chapter 6 The Promise of the God Who May Be Chapter 7 Forgers of Holiness Chapter 8 The Gift of Desire Chapter 9 Transfiguring Touch Chapter 10 Why Do We Fall? Chapter 11 Treasure Hidden in the Field Chapter 12 Love in the Goldilocks Zone

The Goldilocks God by polymath priest Guy Collins provides a deep, intellectual, and satisfying approach to understanding the religious experience of individuals and communities. It's an analysis of Christian belief and practice replete with history and anecdotes, in a narrative that explains as it engages. As one walks the via media that it lays out, at times the book is even a reverie. -- Nicholas A. Christakis, Yale University Anglicanism has long seen itself as the church of the 'via media' par excellence. As an Episcopal priest, the author draws many of his examples from classical Anglican authors and arguments, and from the success of Elizabeth I in establishing a settlement between Protestant and Catholic extremes. But his purpose is far larger and deeper than merely denominational propaganda. Displaying considerable erudition with a light touch, he covers a remarkable range of theological issues - free will and determinism, the nature of God's revelation in scripture and sacrament, the meaning of sanctity, the paradox of materiality and divine incarnation, the Trinity, the character of divine love - and much more. He draws widely on ancient and contemporary sources, explaining complex theological questions in an easy, warm and humane style, and showing why these questions are crucial to us all, whether we label ourselves 'religious' or not. This makes it an important and timely book. At a time when many intelligent spiritual people have been repelled by versions of Christianity which have proved to be toxic and abusive, this book gives compelling and attractive testimony that a balanced, rational and honest Christian faith can still answer our deepest needs. -- Jeffrey John