Church, State and Civil Society [Paperback]

This book reassesses church-state relations in the US and UK, particularly the First Amendment and Anglican disestablishment.At a time when secular liberalism is in crisis and when the civic contribution of religion is being re-assessed, the rich tradition of Christian political theology demands renewed attention. This book explores the relationship of the church both to the state and civil institutions, drawing particularly on the concept of civil society. It offers a critical assessment of the effect of the First Amendment in the USA and, in a concluding chapter, it defends the case for continuing disestablishment in England and Scotland.At a time when secular liberalism is in crisis and when the civic contribution of religion is being re-assessed, the rich tradition of Christian political theology demands renewed attention. This book explores the relationship of the church both to the state and civil institutions, drawing particularly on the concept of civil society. It offers a critical assessment of the effect of the First Amendment in the USA and, in a concluding chapter, it defends the case for continuing disestablishment in England and Scotland.The rich tradition of Christian political theology demands renewed attention, particularly at a time when secular liberalism is in crisis and when the civic contribution of religion is being re-assessed. This book explores the relationship of the church both to the state and civil institutions, drawing specifically on the concept of civil society. It offers a critical assessment of the effect of the First Amendment in the United States and, in a concluding chapter, defends the argument for continuing disestablishment in England and Scotland.1. The politics of scripture; 2. Church and state: theological traditions; 3. Crises of liberalism; 4. The Theological case for toleration; 5. Moral formation: the church's contribution; 6. Modern social theology: Barmen and Vatican II; 7. Church and nation; 8. In the twilight ofl3*