From Hermeneutics this group moved to examine Fundamentalism, following chiefly “The Battle for God” by Karin Armstrong, published in 2000. She outlines the historic origins of Jewish, Christian and Muslim fundamentalism and portrays them as “embattled faiths”, the defensive reaction of sections within each religion to the liberalism, modernisation and scientific rationalism of the 20th century in particular.

A young visitor from the USA outlined to the group the connection between Christian fundamentalism and politics in that country, and Alan Jackson quoted a Rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, who in the 1990 Reith lectures described fundamentalism as “a commonsense defence of orthodoxy in a highly secular age”. Karin Armstrong, seeing the danger of extreme fundamentalism, asks the question: “What can the liberal, secular establishment do to build bridges and avert the possibility of future battles?” This house church is more like a discussion group, very interesting but not always arriving at answers!

The group met for the last time this year on 23 November. A venue and date for recommencing has not been fixed and Rob Robertson, after facilitating for 3 years, has asked to be relieved of this responsibility. The first study next year will be based on “The End of Christendom and the future of the Christian Faith” by Douglas John Hall, and will be introduced by Rev. Philip Knutsen.