Different Way, A – A human approach to the divine

After the introductory chapters, the bulk of this book consists of short chapters on a variety of virtues, beginning with the seven traditional Christian ones and then adding others such as goodness, truth, beauty and mystery. Payne writes with an easy touch. There is no theological jargon. There are lots of fascinating short stories, and biblical stories woven in with them. The language is gender-exclusive. It is a book for Christians seeking to get away from negative and other-worldly versions of Christianity and instead integrate their faith with a positive approach to life. Given how successfully hard line dogmatists have dominated the airwaves in recent decades, we need more such books offering open and creative approaches to faith. The book works best as a work of popular ethics for Christians who do not want to get into theological detail but who want an encouraging, non-dogmatic and readable account of what it means to live a Christian life. At a time when so many church leaders are agonising over declining numbers and wondering how to persuade more people to attend church services, here is someone who gets straight to the point and offers a more positive account of Christian living.

Following retirement from a professional career in education, Roger Payne returned to university for study and research in Theology, Christian Ethics and the Psychology of Religion. He is a Reader in the Church of England and lives in Bushey, Hertfordshire.