An Honest Faith
The Possible Friendship of Athens and Jerusalem
- Philosophy
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2025
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Publisher's Description
An Honest Faith tackles the thorny question of whether Christian faith is compatible with the questing and questioning spirit of philosophy. The author argues that a mutually productive friendship between Athens (philosophy/science) and Jerusalem (theology/faith) is possible and, in fact, necessary, given that various forms of the faith resist questioning and therefore end up holding onto outdated, unsupported, and damaging beliefs, for example, on matters of gender and sexuality. The author draws upon his own experiences in the conservative Anglican Diocese of Sydney and his teaching career in philosophy to issue a challenge to Christians to have an honest faith and not hold back from the quest for answers, which lies at the heart of religion, philosophy, and science. The book's first half, which can be characterized as an exercise in faith deconstruction, lays out a number of the more serious challenges to historic or traditional Christian faith while noting its rapid demise in Australia, the US, the UK, and throughout the Western world. The book's second half recommends a careful reconstruction or reformation of the faith.
Endorsements (7)
“The massive post-evangelical community around the world includes many millions who remain open to a path of following Jesus that is morally credible and intellectually honest. Keith Mascord offers a path forward that is both. One does not have to agree with all of his proposals—I do not—to deeply appreciate the contribution he makes here towards a post-evangelical Christian future.”
“We understand life through images—art, music, poetry, mythology, film, architecture, photography, the touch of another’s presence. Each offers a pathway into the transcendent. Keith’s challenging book explores biblical stories and the biblical storyline through such imagery. Nothing there is static, past tense, finished, or formal. Bible stories are less history, more images of our human endurance and possibility. An Honest Faith presses the reader to discover this beyond the limitations imposed by dogma and definition.”
“This book is a highly readable attempt to reconcile two basically different ways to resolve moral dilemmas in our lives. The first, like the philosophers of ancient Athens, invokes human rationality, knowledge, and experience. The second, like all the religions derived from Jerusalem, relies on religious instruction expressed in the ‘revealed’ Word of God. For decades, the author, an Anglican priest, has struggled with this dilemma, searching for ways to reconcile the two systems. Billions of human beings find pure human reasoning unsatisfying. They search for the peace and love that spirituality, which passes all understanding, can bring. On the other hand, close encounters with God and His worldly ministers can sometimes appear so unscientific and irrational that we keep searching for different ways of reasoning. The author instances religious cruelty and irrationality on subjects like race, indigeneity, gender, sexuality, and politics which cast doubt on religion’s legitimacy. Census returns in many Western societies show a large and growing drift away from organized religion. The resulting controversy is tackled with honesty, humility, persistence, and courage. Many readers will recognize their own feelings in the author’s ultimately stated conclusions.”
“Finding honest faith means deconstructing Church, illuminating the cowardice of those who have sufficient scholarship to know what is true, yet teach publicly based on perceived institutional interests. Keith Mascord’s forthright recovery of Christianity from the midst of his own church authorities’ evacuation of its meaning includes an ally’s welcome glimpse at how LGBTQ+ witness to faith is a key element challenging self-righteous omertà. Honest faith, unafraid of learning, is a rich journey of discovery.”
“Thoughtful faith is often hard to hear in the din of culture wars today. This book makes a vital contribution to another way forward, sharing light rather than adding heat. Grounded in considered reflection, and bearing the fruits of walking with others whose faith, gifts, and insights are often ignored, it encourages us all to a more generous hospitality and a renewing pursuit of truth.”
“An Honest Faith takes the reader on a personal journey into some of the most important, challenging, and controversial issues for contemporary believers. Mascord offers a clear, cogent and inviting reflection on the plausibility of Christian faith in today’s world. Whether it is faith and reason, scripture and ethics, uncertainty and doubt, or contested moral issues; all are tackled with humility, honesty and joy. A must read for the inquiring pilgrim unafraid to ask the hard questions.”
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