The "Honest to God" debate - a defining moment revisited - PANEL DISCUSSION

Almost 60 years ago Bishop John Robinson’s book “Honest to God” addressed the increasing irrelevance of traditional Christianity in the modern world. He shocked many by asserting the unreality of core faith categories as they had been fashioned in a premodern era. However, he also liberated many by interpreting and grounding the relevance of the Christian message for a secular scientific age. Many people knew that pietistic literalism was no longer credible nor in synch with their experience of life and the world. For the first time Robinson made accessible the great insights of celebrated 20th century Theologians such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Paul Tillich. It may be ironic that as the “no religion” category in the last census is in the ascendancy, being “honest” may just happen to again open windows for seekers of an authentic spirituality centred on both the Jesus of history and the Christ of personal experience and social transformation.

Panellists Jonathan Barker, Judith Raftery and Bruce Grindlay will share their own faith journey in the light of Honest to God’s defining moment and invite participants to join in the discussion.