Encountering Mystery: Religious Experience in a Secular Age, Dale C.AllisonJr., Eerdmans, 2022 (ISBN 978‐0‐8028‐8188‐5), x + 254 pp., pb $21.99

The indefatigable Dale Allison is widely known for his excellent New Testament commentaries and studies. Here we have something distinctly different, though perhaps not surprising to those familiar with overall oeuvre, where aspects of long-term interest in religious experiences around the world already become evident (as latter part Resurrection Jesus, [London: T&T Clark, 2021]). fascinated by, takes seriously, a wide range experiences. He focusses particularly on ‘Someone there’, which can bring either bliss or terror, extensive informal practices understandings prayer, encounters angels, people approaching death, when dementia may recover lucidity just before end visions auditions, near-death experiences, where, among other things, report information inaccessible their prone body. emphasises throughout how common well-attested such are, yet equally often are reluctant speak them, even when, as often, they been reckoned highlight life. This because dominant secular culture dismissive who own having them thus existentially intellectually limited limiting. As he puts it regard experiences: ‘Even today many continue hold stories close. What point baring your soul if smug response is, “They've decided it's oxygen deprivation, right?” “Must've dream”?’ (p. 130). first-class scholarly abilities numerous ways throughout, despite disclaimer at outset: ‘This an academic treatise. My orientation rather pastoral, my focus what ordinary people, significant numbers, reported report, well some implications’ ix). that writing scholars well-established debates but anyone wants disciplined thoughtful guide unusual think say about them. On one hand, entirely aware of, open-eyed about, modern interpretations terms sociology, psychology, neuroscience so on, has no problem scientific analysis its explanatory potential. For example, offers certain angelic rescue ‘natural’ (pp. 78–79). His objection reductive worldview refuses take seriously transcendent metanormal. tone robust disarmingingly commonsensical. does want score points prove disprove positions relation draw attention actually there our world: ‘When know truly weird place, human beings more than complex, God works unpredictable ways, will open mind’ 194). endnotes contain fine bibliography relevant literature, both from sociological psychological neurological perspectives, popular Christian (and religious) perspectives. It clear literature generally little known, compiled worked over years. Anyone interested field start here! Occasional passing comments reveal Allison's colleagues down years given him hard time this interest: ‘Some perplexed I read ponder books angels. Is waste educated mind bother tales told by gullible?’ To responds: ‘But pay these same reason daily news: going world’ 97). book fact tribute spent. also most lucid readable good while. up-front interpretive stance Christian, develops thoughtfully constructively use exclusive way shut interpretations. uses show life, others, play important role, formative direction priorities Yet utilises role interpreter gives rise two reservations book. First, penultimate chapter, Theological Issues’, weakest elements polemic imprecision absent elsewhere. There in-house wrestling peers, N. T. Wright. criticises leading NT ‘tepid belittling appraisals’ Paul's rapturous experience 2 Corinthians 12:1–5 186)—but acknowledgement contextual issue Paul cites heavenly experience, cannot speak, precisely relativise matters most, learning risen Lord, via thorn flesh, grace sufficient Christ's power perfected weakness. Secondly, recurrent lament ‘most theologians religion trove [of experiences] heed go business’ 10) justified. says context praising work Alister Hardy's Religious Experience Research Centre Oxford, collated analysed much material, drawn. had hoped recognition major critique British last generation, Nicholas Lash. Lash delivered Centre, invitation, Hardy Memorial Lecture 1992, available ‘On kinds things are’ Lash's Beginning End ‘Religion’ (1996), pp. 93–111 (a lecture makes fuller argument Easter Ordinary: Reflections Human Knowledge [Charlotteville: University Press Virginia, 1988]). desire downplay experiential encounter concerned probe does, not, count such, account sharp probing. says, ‘If … Christianity “root” “core”, then be found “fleeting” “puzzling” transient states private consciousness, Jesus Gethsemane Calvary, followers out courageous opposition authorities painful conflict fellow Jews’ 110). sounds notes hardly present account. Admittedly, delimits outset disclaimer, ‘I do discuss whether very idea “religious experience” coherent useful’ And should find fault someone different kind key working category, ‘religious experience’, problematic allowed into consideration, surely mean still needs said. invoke hope, devalue valuable accessible done. But invite follow up sequel, article form, offer engagement challenge assumptions.