R. Kirby Godsey was president of Mercer University in Atlanta, GA for 27 years and his progressive views have made both friends and enemies. I just finished his book "When we talk about God... Let's be honest". It has many refreshing moments. The highlights are Godsey's perspective on belief and doubt, a well rounded critique of atonement theory, a healthy respect for non-literal biblical interpretation, and tolerance for pluralism and universal salvation. I particularly enjoyed his chapter on " Plain Talk about Last Things", which described a very enlightened view of human spirituality and after-life. He manages to do all these things without loosing the average reader or renouncing his love of the Baptist faith tradition.

This book is not a detailed treatment of any theological topics, but it reflects a lifetime of deep thought and study. Godsey is obviously well versed in theology but he cares enough about his audience to gently introduce an honest approach to a deeper process of thought. I wish I had found this book when I was a Baptist. Here is my favorite passage...

Unlike naive optimism, hope faces the tragedy of all that is not right and fosters within us the courage and energy to work toward making things right. Hope rights the wrongs. Hope does not say, "Don't worry about it; God will take care of everything." Hope becomes the agent of God in making the world right. Hope searches for ways to overcome terrorism. Hope becomes a part of undoing the violence of abuse and abandonment that threatens us. Hope embraces the lonely. Hope carries coats to the elderly in winter. Hope takes the homeless home. Hope feeds the hungry and clothes the naked. Hope forgives the hurt. In very concrete, specific ways, hope is the eternity breaking into the time of our lives. God's presence changes the character of our time on earth. The Christian understanding of last things is not, then, chiefly about judgement day or heaven and hell. The Christian's last word is about hope. To be Christian means being present in time with the power of hope.