Richard Holloway is a Scottish writer and broadcaster with a specific interest in issues around religious belief in the modern world. In 2000 Holloway resigned as Bishop of Edinburgh in the Scottish Episcopal Church and now describes himself as a “Christian Agnostic”. He was Gresham Professor of Divinity in the City of London and remains a Fellow of the Royal Society. Holloway has written for many newspapers in Britain including The Times, Guardian, Sunday Herald and the Scotsman and presented his own series on BBC Television. His books include On Forgiveness (2002), Looking in the Distance (2004), Godless Morality (1999) and Doubts and Loves (2001). Holloway’s latest book is Between the Monster and the Saint (2008), a controversial exploration of the human capacity for good and evil.
Read an interview with Richard Holloway about his new book Between the Monster and the Saint
Read a review of Between the Monster and the Saint on The Independent website
Read a review of Between the Monster and the Saint on Times Online
Read Richard Holloway: The progressive pilgrim's gospel on The Independent website
BOOKS
Godless Morality
The use of God in moral debate is so problematic as to be almost worthless. We can argue with one another as to whether this or that alleged claim genuinely emanated from God, but surely it is better to leave God out of the argument and find strong human reasons for supporting the systems we advocate. We need a sensible and practical approach that will help us pick our way through the moral maze that confronts us in the pluralistic society we live in. Godless Morality offers exactly this - a human-centred justification for contemporary morality.
'The title of this book might suggest it is an unusual one for the Bishop of Edinburgh to have written, but one can't help be glad that he did . . . Holloway's language and style are engaging, his research conscientious and his conclusions thoughtful and frequently wise.' -Sunday Times
'The lucid, forthright arguments of this short collection of lectures reveal a character who is brave enough not to try to define a morality based on the present rather than the past . . . mixes thought-provoking references not only to the Bible, but to such varied influences as Wilfred Owen, Nietszche and Gulliver's Travels, and forces us to recognise the necessity of an improvised morality rather than one based on fear and bigotry.' -Scotsman
'profoundly wise...an absorbing series of essays that show how faith and open mindedness can go together.'
-Scotland on Sunday
'Humanity must not march to the sound of a single drummer. It is a view that humanists can share with the generous and enlightened Bishop of Edinburgh.'
-New Humanist
'This is a courageous book for a bishop to write, and everything it says about morality is right and true. On both counts I applaud it.'
-Literary Review
Doubts and Loves
Doubts and Loves argues that it is better to use Christianity as good poetry than as bad science and although the author sets out to deconstruct its doctrines he does so because he is anxious to release the power of these great themes from the antiquated containers that convey them. Holloway's radical book is a rescue attempt, a heartfelt and passionately argued case for salvaging the challenge of Jesus by revealing the essence of his teachings and showing why they remain revolutionary, humane and of massive spiritual importance.
'The former Bishop of Edinburgh offers up more good sense and criticism of the religion he loves. He has always been a radical living in the real world, ready to come to terms with its hectic demands and constraints. This book offers the churches hope but, more importantly, has something to say to each of us.'
-Joan Bakewell, New Statesman
'Holloway's critique of conservative evangelicalism in this new volume is as penetrating as any humanist could wish for, and all the more valuable for looking at the psychological and sociological roots of the phenomenon.'
-Gay and Lesbian Humanist
'Holloway's incisive yet humorous and compassionate style enables the reader to engage and grapple with the Christian faith.'
-St Martin's Review
'Doubts and Loves is a thoughtful, playful, courageous and deeply altruistic book from a man who has a genuine concern for the spiritual and practical welfare of others . It would make a fine companion for anyone who wishes to live a life of any depth, offering the voice of an intelligent, compassionate friend in a bewildering universe of pain, joy and absurdity. This is a challenging and very necessary plea for dynamic, questioning faith.'
-A.L. Kennedy
'Doubts and Loves is a sensitive, brave and inspiring book, which responds honestly and with great intelligence to the religious dilemma of our times.'
-Karen Armstrong
On Forgiveness
In this inspiring work, Richard Holloway tackles the great theme of forgiveness. It is a subject that he explores in the widest context but underpinning this examination is his belief that religion has given us many of the best stories and metaphors for the act. He proceeds to relate forgiveness to such events as September 11th, the Truth Commission in South Africa, and the ongoing conflicts in Palestine/Israel, Northern Ireland and Serbia. On Forgiveness is a discourse on how forgiveness works, where it came from and how the need to embrace it is greater than ever if we are to free ourselves from the binds of the past. Drawing on philosophers and writers of the calibre of George Steiner, Frederick Nietzsche, Jacques Derrida, Hannah Arendt and Nelson Mandela, Holloway has written another fascinating and timely book.
Looking In the Distance
Looking In The Distance celebrates the possibilities that life affords whilst examining how doubts and fears too often paralyse people, especially as they get older. It is a highly personal and meditative work that will inspire whoever reads it, helping us to better understand the different ways in which the human search for wholeness and healing can be approached. As with all his books, Richard Holloway peppers his lively prose with an eclectic selection of writings from poets, philosophers and novelists from around the world and across the centuries. The resulting book presents a brilliantly argued thesis that is both challenging and empowering. Looking In The Distance is accessible, funny, serious, hopefully and heartfelt - a book that will change your life.
Between The Monster And The Saint
Provocative, wide-ranging and full of wisdom, Between the Monster and the Saint is a brilliant book about our place in the world. Being human isn’t easy. We might think that consciousness and free-will give us control over our lives but our minds are dangerous and unpredictable places. We are susceptible to forces we don’t understand. We are capable of inflicting immense cruelty on one another – violence, torture and rape – and yet we also have the capacity to be tender, to empathise, to feel. In his thought-provoking new book Richard Holloway holds a mirror up to the human condition. The reflection isn’t always pretty. But by drawing on a colourful and eclectic selection of writings from history, philosophy, science, poetry, theology and literature, Holloway shows us how we can stand up to the seductive power of the monster and draw closer to the fierce challenge of the saint.
"A conclusion to be devoutly welcomed in our turbulent times."
Sally Vickers, The Independent
"Illuminating and inspiring"
-John Lloyd, Financial Times
"Full of human wisdom a psychologically acute and absorbing approach to a very important subject"
-Philip Pullman