At the heart of the book the author explores the role of both religion and spirituality when confronted by inherent evil, as witnessed in Darfur and the Nazi concentration camps; or by systemic racism with its insidious tendency to distort nationhood into chauvinistic nationalism; and by the enormous environmental challenge of climate change. The author draws a parallel between the fears of both today's religious traditionalists and spirituality advocates to see their need of each other in tackling these great human issues, and the Celtic legend of the seven heroes in the story of Brân who live in a state of collective amnesia after the trauma of defeat in battle. It isn't until they open the famous closed door in their confined and constricted existence that they are able to confront their fears and to complete their unfinished mission. Similarly the re-engagement of religion with spirituality requires a fresh and urgent look at the world around us if faith is to be socially useful as well as personally fiulfilling In this ambitious book, the thread that unites the author's arguments and analysis is the Biblical story of the Transfiguration of Christ, where Jesus appeared to three of his disciples in the company of Moses and Elijah, which the author sees as representative figures for religion and spirituality; for law as a framework for existence, and for the prophetic challenge that arises from individual experience.
ISBN: 9781846941498 (2008) 140pp