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Why should Christians embrace suspicious doubt? Can a suspicious Christianity challenge doubters?

On 12 January, the Intellectual Forum hosted a book launch for Dr Paul Dominiak's new book on religious doubt, The Falling of Dusk.

As well as reading from the book, Paul discussed the work with the Venerable Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon, and Dr Claire Gilbert, Director of the Westminster Abbey Institute.

The event was stimulating and at times challenging as Paul invited everyone to reflect on our preconceptions and beliefs, and the readings and panel discussion sparked interesting and thoughtful questions from the audience. 

About the book

For generations, Christian communities have meditated upon the seven last words of Jesus on the Cross. Gathered from across the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion, these sayings still speak to us today. In an age of uncertainty and suspicion, Paul Dominiak's new book, The Falling of Dusk, explores how each of the seven last words attends to doubt as the refining fire of faith, rather than as its enemy.

Paul's book puts into critical conversation some of the great doubters of religion with the breadth of the Christian tradition and contemporary theological voices. Each chapter considers one last word spoken on the Cross, unpacking why Christians should embrace suspicious doubt, and how a suspicious Christianity might challenge doubters. A Q&A with Paul about his book is available here.

With his book aimed at those who embrace, reject, or are uncertain about faith, Paul invites us to reflect in unconventional ways on our assumptions, anxieties, suspicions, and beliefs through a conventional Lenten form of meditation.