New Release!
How Do We Know The Way? tackles seminal issues that many Christians have traditionally been afraid to question. An Episcopal priest, Barkley approaches these topics from the standpoint of a person of faith. Barkley says in the preface, “For those for whom questions of belief, salvation, and eternal life have seemed too difficult to explore; for those who have been abused by the answers of a punitive and otherworldly Christianity; and for those just now beginning to seek a deeper meaning to life, I pray this little book is a helpmate.” Each chapter is followed by provocative reflection questions useful for either personal devotion or small group discussion.
Praise for How Can We Know The Way?
“This small book is a force to be reckoned with!”
The Very Reverend Kate Moorehead Carroll, author of Vital Signs of Faith: Finding Health in Your Spiritual Life
“After reading this book, the first thing you want to say is ‘Thank you.’ The next thing you want to do is to share it with others so that they, too, can better walk the Way.”
Jay B. McDaniel, Professor of World Religions, Emeritus, Hendrix College, and author of Gandhi’s Hope: Learning From World Religions As A Path To Peace
“Only a lifetime of faithful study and service can voice such rich and complicated ideas with the accessibility and elegance Barkley Thompson offers here. His reflections – and their sharp study questions – have a place on bedside tables and at bible studies, alike.”
The Reverend Morgan Allen, Rector of historic Trinity Church-Copley Square, Boston, Massachusetts
Upcoming Appearances
Saturday, April 20, 2024
All Day | Diocese of Arkansas Men’s Retreat, Petit Jean Mountain, AR
Barkley will facilitate the annual diocesan men’s retreat, focusing on How Can We Know The Way?: Reflections on Belief, Salvation, and Eternal Life.
Past Appearances
Sunday, September 16, 2018
10 a.m. | Reynolds Hall at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, TX
Barkley Thompson will speak about his new book, In the Midst of the City.
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
6:30 p.m. | Sanders Hall at Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, TX
Houston Chronicle “Gray Matters” columnist Lisa Gray will interview Barkley about his new book, In the Midst of the City.
Friday, October 5, 2018
4 p.m. | Steel Center for the Study of Religion and Philosophy, Hendrix College, Conway AR
Barkley Thompson will speak about his new book, In the Midst of the City.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
7 p.m. | St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA
Barkley will speak about his new book, In the Midst of the City.
Thursday, November 1, 2018
7 p.m. | The Boniuk Institute of Religious Tolerance, Rice University, 100 Herring Hall, Houston, TX
Engaging the Body Politic through the Lens of Faith
Barkley will speak on a panel with Rabbi Oren Hayon of Congregation Emanu El and the Rev. Dr. Steve Wells of South Main Baptist Church, one week prior to the midterm elections. This event is free and open to the public. Learn more here.
Saturday, November 18, 2018
1 p.m. | Jung Center, Houston, TX
On Your Sleeve?: A Conversation on How to Live Faith
Pittman McGehee and Barkley Thompson have both served as Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, the oldest house of faith in Houston and one which continues to be an influential voice in our city. McGehee and Thompson both contend that faith cannot be compartmentalized, but is, rather, the well-spring of mystery, wonder, and commitment in our lives. McGehee, a Diplomat Jungian analyst, is the author of seven books, his discussion will build a psycho/spiritual worldview, taken from his book, The Invisible Church. Thompson’s latest book is In the Midst of the City: The Gospel and God’s Politics, which makes the case that faith is always political but never partisan, insisting that people of faith must immerse themselves in God’s alternate vision for the world before deciding upon social and political convictions. Join McGehee and Thompson for an afternoon of conversation. Learn more and get tickets here.
Monday, November 12, 2018
7 p.m. | Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX
Barkley will read from his new book, In the Midst of the City, and have a signing, one week after the midterm elections.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
7:30 a.m. | Madrugadores Breakfast Club, Houston, TX
Barkley will read from his new book, In the Midst of the City, and participate in discussion.
Thursday, March 14, 2019
7 p.m. | St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Austin, TX
Barkley will read from and talk about his new book, In the Midst of the City.
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Evening | Calvary Episcopal Church, Memphis, TN
Barkley will read from and discuss his new book, In the Midst of the City. Also, at noon that same day, he will also preach as part of Calvary Episcopal Church’s Lenten Series.
Thursday, April 4, 2019
6 p.m. | St. John’s Episcopal Church, Roanoke, VA
Barkley will read from his new book, In the Midst of the City, and be interviewed.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
7:30 a.m. | Tejas Breakfast Club, Houston, TX
Barkley speak about his book, In the Midst of the City, and answer questions.
Saturday, April 27 , 2019
2:30 p.m.| St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Little Rock, AR
Barkley will discuss his new book, In the Midst of the City, and sign copies as part of the 2019 Arkansas Literary Festival.
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
6:30 p.m. | WordsWorth Books, Little Rock, AR
Barkley will read from How Can We Know The Way?: Reflections on Belief, Salvation, and Eternal Life, answer questions, and sign books.
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
7:00 p.m. | Pinnacle United Methodist Church, Little Rock AR
Barkley will facilitate Pinnacle UMC’s book study group on Zoom for a discussion of How Can We Know The Way?
Saturday, December 9, 2023
9:00 a.m. | St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, Dallas, TX
Barkley will lead SMAA’s annual Advent Retreat, focusing on How Can We Know The Way?
Sunday, March 3, 2024
9:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:00 a.m. | Grace Church Cathedral, Charleston, SC
Barkley will preach at morning services and teach the forum on How Can We Know The Way?
Praise for In the Midst of the City: The Gospel and God’s Politics
I have been among the thousands who’ve heard Barkley Thompson preach his moving sermons. As personal witness to the power and profound language he employs to engage and enthrall us with his spoken words, those who read this book will feel his extraordinary ability to help us interpret both the divisions and connections we experience as we move through this complex religious, secular and political world. In his words, “The Gospel is not partisan.”
– Diane Rehm, longtime host of NPR’s The Diane Rehm Show and host of the NPR podcast On My Mind
In a time when a deep ravine separates progressives and conservatives, it is refreshing to read a compelling book that refuses to accept the alternative. As Christians, writes Barkley Thompson at the beginning of the book, “we must begin with the Gospel and allow the Gospel to shape our politics whole-cloth.” And then, throughout the book, he delivers on this promise, taking head-on issue after issue that divide citizens in the United States.
– Miroslav Volf, Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale University, Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, and author of Exclusion and Embrace
Pilgrim, beware! This book reminds us that the God who makes his home in the midst of the polis (the city) intends a very different life politic for the citizens of the reign of God. It is a life that claims our entirety. Barkley Thompson opens up God’s vision, and rings the Cathedral bell’s clarion call, to join in faith those who have sought to have their actions mirror the reign of God’s love over and against the world’s imposter politics.”
– The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas, and author of The Jesus Heist and Vocãtiõ
Afflicting the comfortable and comforting the afflicted can be a risky calling. Barkley Thompson demonstrates eloquently how a thoughtful pastor can illuminate controversies of our common life by the light of the Gospel. Passionate, yet disciplined, Dean Thompson employs his knowledge of history, his love for people, and his theological interpretation of holy scripture to engage Christian faith with politics from his place in the midst of the city. This book offers a focus of conversation for parishes and an inspiration and encouragement to preachers.
– The Very Rev. Dr. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, Dean and President of the Seminary of the Southwest and author of Conversations with Scripture: The Gospel of John
Media
“Perspectives Urban and Personal: New Books with Local Connections,” St. John’s Episcopal Church site, Roanoke, VA, September 29, 2018.
“In the Midst of the City: The Gospel and God’s Politics,” Christ Church Cathedral Bulletin, September 2018.
God in the Midst of the City 