House of Faith or Enchanted Forest?: American Popular Belief in an Age of Reason

Since the Renaissance of the 14th through 17th centuries and particularly since the Enlightenment of the 18th century the ancient creeds of faith have been under serious fire and the struggle has not gone well for popular religion in America. The rapid advances made by the physical sciences in the 19th and 20th centuries and the corresponding reliance on scientific accomplishments in American life have been matched by the growing influence of reason in the way Americans think about religion. Except for pockets of resistance these developments have negatively influenced the practical role of traditional religion in American life. These essays-published over a twenty-year period as newspaper editorials addressed to the general public-confront popular beliefs and morals with the challenge of human reason. At issue in this meeting of faith and reason is nothing less than the nature of religion in the twenty-first century. Will faith embrace reason to create a House where both dwell in harmony or will faith ignore the claims of reason and continue to live in an Enchanted Forest? Each essay written in the practical language of the streets attempts to dialogue with the general reader and gently provoke critical thinking on sensitive issues of belief. Charles Hedrick is a scholar who has come clean. From the buckle on the Bible Belt comes this honest intelligent and creative reflection on the struggle between reason (and/or science) and personal faith. Charlies reminder to take our personal absolute truths (house of faith) a little less seriously and enjoy the diversity of thought and experience (enchanted forest) is practical powerful and incredibly timely. --Glenna S. Jackson Professor Department of Religion and Philosophy at Otterbein College. House of Faith or Enchanted Forest? is a personal and lively journey along the path of faith and doubt. Charles Hendrick poses deep questions that for centuries have haunted philosophers historians and theologians alike. This book awakens and celebrates critical thinking yet remains warmly accessible and resolutely honest. Anyone who wishes to re-think lifes great questions in light of the changing face of Christianity will find joy in reading this book. Here is an excellent resource for discussion groups book clubs and inquiring individuals. --David Galston Director of the Eternal Spring Learning Centre Hamilton Ontario Charlie Hedrick asks a lot of questions in this provocative collection of short essays. One specific question that perhaps sums up the others Can a critical thinker also be a person of traditional religious faith? Spanning a wide range of topics Hedrick offers readers challenging questions to ponder rather than easy answers to swallow. Yet by pondering such questions careful readers will find themselves closer to honest answers than they were before they read this helpful book. --J. Bradley Chance Professor and Chair Department of Religion William Jewell College Charles W. Hedrick is Distinguished Profesor of Religion Emeritus at Missouri State University. He is also the author of Parables as Poetic Fiction When History and Faith Collide and Many Things in Parables.