This book takes the form of a dialogue between philosopher of religion John Hick and someone – anyone – who is a religious skeptic or is somewhere between faith and doubt. Neither of them is dogmatic and their discussion is honest and fair. It covers a range of questions:
- Is the pervasively sceptical character of today's culture well founded or only an assumption?
- Is the usual idea of God viable, and if not what is the alternative?
- Can God's existence be proved?
- Is religious experience authentic, particularly in the light of modern neuroscience?
- What about the contradictory beliefs of the different religions?
- Can we have religion without transcendence, as advocate by the Sea of Faith movement?
- Can there be a good God, or a friendly universe, when there is so much pain and suffering?
- Can there be a life after death?
Between Faith and Doubt also includes some fascinating autobiographical revelations: of Hick's evangelical conversion and subsequent development to much more liberal beliefs, of being involved in a heresy trial, of being in an earthquake, his own powerful religious experience, and witnessing a materializing séance. This short, briliantly written book is and accessible and concise way of understanding both Hick's views, and quickly gaining a grasp of some of the central issues in philosophy of religion.