Leaving Alexandria: A Memoir of Faith and Doubt
*Starred Review* From his enrollment in a theological college at the age of 14 to his resignation as the Bishop of Edinburgh nearly 60 years later, Holloway, an outspoken champion of progressive causes, has led a controversial career characterized by doubt, struggle, and a slow disillusionment with the authoritarianism and conservatism of the Anglo-Catholic Church. In refreshingly honest language, Holloway admits to his misgivings over his own ability to be obedient to the requirements of religious life, particularly after a long and renowned career when he began to question the very authority of the church, particularly when it came to excluding women and homosexuals: “My problem was not so much with God as with increasing disbelief in religion’s claim to possess precise information about his opinions.” Holloway presents a nuanced view of religion—one that appreciates its comforting tradition and rituals, its commitment to helping those most in need, and its role as a place for quiet contemplation while also acknowledging its damaging refusal to change when confronted with its own unjust practices. Full of meaningful wisdom not only about theology but the very nature of doubt and belief, this memoir should appeal to any reader interested in the changing state of contemporary Christianity. --Sarah Hunter--This text refers to thePaperbackedition.