by
The Revd. Dr. The Lord Leslie Griffiths
David Fairhurst shows a keen concern to apply the central understandings and challenges of the New Testament to our contemporary age. What follows will give a clear indication of his grasp of some very complicated questions. I’m totally convinced that he has properly identified the key issues needing to be faced in our day. He brings personal experience and a clear understanding of the Gospel to his task. His efforts are accessible, direct and challenging.
I heard echoes of policy papers and public declarations formulated by leading figures of public life (at the United Nations, in our political leadership and also from our theological schools) in the material David Fairhurst offers us. Concepts such as “unitive pluralism”, the uniqueness of Christianity, the nature of religious truth, the relationship between religion and science and the nature of religious doubt are handled with consummate ease. David has a natural gift for illustration too and this certainly helps the narrative to flow. But his “troubling questions”, his advice “how not to read the Bible”, his recognition of the need for people in different faith groups to listen to each other presents disturbing as well as comforting material.
I hope that the efforts of David Fairhurst will attract a wide readership and some serious study. I’ve certainly enjoyed the time I’ve spent with this manuscript and would commend it to others out of the depths of my own personal gratitude.
Leslie Griffiths
© David Fairhurst 2006
Published by Sue White Secretarial Services
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ISBN-10: 0-9526767-3-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-9526767-3-7