A critique of the prevailing naturalistic assumption; argument for the validity of trusting religious experience whilst recognising the role of imagination and culture in the forms that it takes, with a case study of Julian of Norwich; the dark side of religion; the importance of ‘saints’, with case studies of Mahatma Gandhi and of two very different saints known to the author; the relation between religions; the value of ‘true myths’; death and reincarnation. (Trans. Italian, Polish, Russian, Danish, Persian (Farsi), Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese )
“A splendid summation of the life work of one of our generation’s important religious philosophers. It has the clarity of light and the solidity of stone’ (Prof. Huston Smith, University of California, Berkeley).
“essential reading for anyone concerned with spirituality in the modern world” (Keith Ward, Regius Professor of Divinity, Oxford University).
“John Hick has devoted his life to exploring the deepest questions and working for closer understanding between racial groups and faith communities. This stimulating book opens up many fundamental issues that concern everyone. It deserves to be widely read” (Expository Times).
“This book by Britain’s most widely read philosopher of religion ought to send shock waves through the religious establishment” (Times Higher Education Supplement).
"It has the clarity of light and the solidity of stone" (Huston Smith, U.C. Berkeley)
"The books offers a fine, accessible summary of Hick's distinctive philosophy of religion and of his impressive knowledge of world religions" (Religious Studies Review)
"An elegant and readable summary which should be essential reading for anyone concerned with spirituality in the modern world" (Keith Ward, Oxford University)