Benjamin T. Jones sat down to write a response to Bertrand Russel’s Why I Am Not a Christian, entitled, Why I Am Not an Atheist. But things changed. Mid-way through writing a chapter entitled, “An Olive Branch: What Atheists Get Right,” Jones realized he had a different sort of book on his hands.

The subtitle of the book is a question: “Are there Lessons for the Religious World from the Secular Tradition?” Jones answers with an unequivocal “yes!” I appreciate this radically different approach to secularism. Rather than engage in debate, Jones takes critique seriously. His method reflects hospitality, opening up space within to welcome and love the other.

Unfortunately, this book becomes predictable quickly because Jones seems more concerned with the atheist critique of fundamentalism than Christianity in general. The chapters generally follow this form: Atheists are right to challenge fundamentalist Christians on _____ because their position is wrong and an affront to love.

Jones is right to say that Christians have a lot to learn from Atheism. He is also correct in identifying legitimate atheist critiques of fundamentalist Christianity. I would have liked to see him go further and take on the atheist critiques of broader Christian topics. For instance, what do atheists have to teach Christians about skepticism and doubt?

Atheism for Christians is a great start to an important dialogue that should go further. Can we imagine a reciprocal response? Would an atheist ever reply with Christianity for Atheists in a similar spirit of generosity? We can hope.

Jones, Benjamin T. Atheism for Christians: Are there Lessons for the Religious World from the Secular Tradition? Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2016.