by Kevin Treston. Published by Morning Star Publishing 2016. Reviewed by Colin MacLeod 

Kevin Treston is an educator and writer committed to facilitating deep engagement with faith at personal and institutional levels. He has a record of taking on the complexity of being Church in the modern world with a critical but always hope-filled pragmatism. His latest work, Who Do You Say I Am? is exactly what readers of his previous books might expect — a challenge to look at the universe and the divine anew.

From being a teacher in a Catholic secondary school until recently, I know the claims which often leap from the mouths of teenagers blessed with the belief that they know more about the “real world” than their parents will ever know. Comments such as: “Science clearly shows that God doesn’t exist”; “There is no heaven or hell”; “If there were no religions there would be no wars.” Yet these statements need to be listened to because they are often made as a challenge, rather than fait accompli. And by others, too, not just young people. I recently heard Bishop Robert Barron say that we need to engage with these commenters because otherwise we let them assume there is no response.

Kevin’s book is filled with questions. The book is designed for small group discussion in which people can engage deeply with contemporary scientific knowledge and then reflect on tradition, Scripture and faith. This book is not for the faint-hearted as there is an overt call for significant change in Church teaching and personal belief. However, the science is presented in a balanced and coherent manner and the author never loses sight of the deep reality of the divine. The challenge is not to get swamped by the detail of the book but to keep in mind the ultimate question: Today, here, surrounded by old and new knowledge, Jesus asks me: “Who do you say I am?” And I must answer.

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 214 April 2017: 28