'The Soul of a Bishop' (1917) by H G Wells

'The Soul of a Bishop' explores the spiritual and moral crisis of Edward Scrope, an Anglican bishop who begins to question his faith and the role of religion in society. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the novel follows Bishop Scrope as he faces profound doubts about traditional Christian doctrines and grapples with the hypocrisy he perceives within the church. His inner conflict intensifies as he contemplates his role in perpetuating beliefs he no longer finds tenable.

Scrope’s journey leads him to encounter a range of characters with diverse views on religion and spirituality, including skeptics and free thinkers who challenge him further. His intellectual and emotional struggles are exacerbated by family issues and the moral dilemmas posed by the war. Eventually, Scrope undergoes a spiritual transformation, moving toward a belief in a more universal, compassionate view of God that transcends conventional religious structures.

Wells, a well-known critic of organized religion, uses the bishop's story to critique the rigidity and moral failings he saw in the established church. The novel ultimately advocates for a humanistic and rational approach to spirituality, which Wells believed would better serve humanity. The Soul of a Bishop highlights the conflict between personal conscience and institutional demands, portraying a protagonist whose soul is torn between loyalty to his faith and the need to embrace a more flexible, inclusive worldview.