Given the failings of the institutional church, it is hardly surprising that some view Christianity with cynicism. This book seeks to regain a more positive and humane Christianity. The institutional church has much to be ashamed of in its history whether it be corruption, deceit, suppression of ideas, direct persecution, racism, patriarchy, abuse or anti-Semitism. The church can also be accused of a less-than-healthy attitude towards our physical nature, our sexuality and enjoyment of material pleasures. Given the discrepancy between what the church seems to stand for and how the gospels portray the life of Jesus, it is hardly surprising that many people regard Christianity with a certain amount of cynicism. Here, Alan Bartlett seeks to regain a sense of humane Christianity, which is marked by a fundamental shift from a negative to a positive conception of this world and from a negative to a positive motivation for the Christian life.