It should come as no surprise that, today, we are witnessing a problematic and dangerous shift in focus about belief (or non-belief) in God. Gretta Vosper's book, With Or Without God will be dismissed by those for whom God is not to be debated but defended at all costs. But God has become a problem for many others. A significant number of these persist in their "spiritual search" within the context of today's resurgence of religious fundamentalism and the latest critical and scientific thinking. They cannot accept the supernatural God of a dogmatic Christianity - the Almighty, the lawgiver and judge who "convicts the world of sin". For them this book may well come as a breath of fresh air.

Gretta Vosper challenges Christians to address the 'God problem", recognizing this will change the very nature of Christianity. Hers is a prophetic voice that is directed at long held interpretations, values, and priorities and calls for their review. She is in good company. "A prophet is not without honour except in his (or her) own country and own house."

'With Or Without God' shares the dreams and visions of new possibilities for a Christianity Vosper believes has otherwise become so obstructed by its words and rituals, it no longer resonates with contemporary life. Like the radical reformers of the sixteenth century, she is tired of reinterpreting religious language and symbols that have been misused so long. It is a struggle to find alternatives to the jargon of  "Christ", "God", "sin", and "eucharist" to name but a few. But is she asking us to "toss out the baby with the bath water"? Not so. Vosper is concerned to save that child and have it achieve a credible maturity full of grace and compassion.

Practitioners of religion who seek to be progressive are not all in the same place nor do they carry the same baggage. This needs to be stressed. Vosper reflects on her Christian experience as practiced, for the most part, within the United Church of Canada - a Protestant denomination of calvinist and liberal roots where emphasis is placed upon the authority of the spoken Word. She makes assumptions that challenge others to address their sacramental theologies and liturgical traditions. Some will protest there is more than one theory of the atonement, and there are several sacramental theologies. Vosper responds, "Where the shoe fits, wear it."

I take exception to the subtitle of Vosper's book "Why the way we live is more important than what we believe". It makes a wonderfully provocative statement for a book cover. But if you open up that cover, you'll never find it written on the pages in between. Far from it! Instead, Gretta Vosper stresses her point that it is the way we live our lives that reflects what we believe and hold as being sacred.

Gretta Vosper exposes dilemmas faced by every thinking Christian and she indicates where there is possibility of reform. Some will seek responsible change from within their Christian tradition, others from without. "With Or Without God" should help provoke that change. The road of progress for those who follow Jesus invites them to live with questions and to follow the way of compassion. It requires them to bear one another's burdens. With Or Without God.will assist them in their search to make sense of their lives, the world, and of the nagging notion of something greater that has created and sustains it all.