Author: Stephen Mitchell

Stephen Mitchell reviews John Hunt’s Bringing God Back to Earth, which examines the damage done by bad religion and urges a this-world faith, with churches serving the community and ministers of all religions.

Stephen Mitchell reviews Don Cupitt’s Life, Life, in which the everyday word ‘life’ becomes the centre of a secular religion; he praises its playful, aphoristic style.

Stephen Mitchell reviews Andrew Moore’s Realism and Christian Faith, which critiques theological realism’s modelling on science and argues for a Christocentric realism, and asks Sea of Faith members to engage with its argument.

Stephen Mitchell reviews Don Cupitt’s Emptiness and Brightness, recommending it as an introduction to a new Axial Age religion that says yes to this life. The review ends with the start of the next one.

David Boulton reports on the Once and Future Faith conference in California, where Jesus Seminar scholars met Cupitt, Spong, Geering and Armstrong on reforming Christianity, with debate on non-realism versus God experience.

Stephen Mitchell uses the Big Brother TV phenomenon to ask how faith, understood as a human creation, should position itself in a voyeuristic, 24-hour popular culture.

Stephen Mitchell reviews John Habgood’s Varieties of Unbelief, finding it patronising towards SoF and misreading Cupitt’s nonrealism as abandonment of metaphysics, while offering a cathedral image of faith.

News that the Charity Commission has registered the Sea of Faith Development Trust, whose objects are to advance education in religious faith as a human creation. Names the trustees and outlines plans for fundraising.

Stephen Mitchell argues spiritual values are too vague and conflicting to guide moral choice or define faith; people need stories, forums, tasks and companions, and a common faith practice that renews lives.