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Christianity and Liberal Society

Robert Song author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:4th Sep '97

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Christianity and Liberal Society cover

Liberalism forms the dominant political ideology of the modern world, but despite its pervasive influence, this is the first book-length treatment of liberal political thought from a Christian theological perspective. Song discusses the different aspects and interpretations of liberalism with reference to the critiques of three twentieth-century theologians: the American Protestant Reinhold Niebuhr on the liberal progressivist philosophy of history; the lesser-known Canadian George Grant on the threat of technology to fundamental liberal values, as articulated in the recent work of John Rawls; and the French Thomist Jacques Maritain on the defence of political pluralism. Further to this, Song explores the implications of this political theology for the issues in fundamental constitutional theory raised by a bill of rights and judicial review of legislation, and concludes with an account of the critical but supportive stance of liberalism Christian theology should take.

Song's command of the work of the thinkers he addresses is impressive and his analyses cast light on both the thought of the thinkers themselves and the issues they wrestle with. * Kenneth L. Grasso, The Review of Politics. *
a thoughtful work that both casts light on the work of the theorists whose thought it engages and offers some wise advice regarding the proper posture of Christians toward contemporary Western Society. * Kenneth L. Grasso, The Review of Politics. *
Song has written a fascinating study of political theory and jurisprudence ... this is a distinguished and theologically astute book ... The arguments are clear, subtle and well-structured ... this is an excellent interweaving of political and theological though which is a fine addition to English political theory. * Peter Sedgwick, Crucible, Oct-Dec 1999 *
How is one to tackle a topic such as 'Christianity and liberal society'? This book of Song's is a pioneering stab at the problem. It is indeed remarkable that no on before him has actually attempted a systematic study of the issues involved. * Andrew Shanks, Journal of Theological Studies *
Song has written a fascinating study of political theory and jurisprudence ... this is a distinguished and theologically astute book ... The arguments are clear, subtle and well structured ... this is an excellent interweaving of political and theological thought which is a fine addition to English political theology. * Peter Sedgwick, Crucible, Oct-Dec 1999 *
scholarly and closely-argued book * David McLellan, The Tablet *
Dr Song's book has the great merit of drawing attention to some deep-lying problems of the contemporary world. * Church Times *
supplies a spirited and challenging defence of the liberal tradition ... Song's thesis is simple, and one I warm to ... a much needed contribution to contemporary debates on theology and social theory. * Reviews in Religion and Theology *
Song plugs a gap in theological scholarship and we owe him a great debt of gratitude. This is perhaps the best recent book-length evaluation of liberal political thought from a Christian theological perspective, at least in English ... S. deserves high praise for this volume which will serve as a fine guide for advanced audiences studying the relationship between Christianity and liberalism. * Thomas Massaro, Theological Studies, September 1999, Vol 60, no 3 *
scholarly and closely-argued book ... the questions it addresses are vital for any reflective Christian * David McLellan, The Tablet *
Makes an intelligent attempt to understand liberalism through a variety of twentieth century authors and to offer a sympathetic yet finally critical theological overview ... Song writes well and thoughtfully. * The Expository Times *
This is a major contribution to Christian political theory. Combining intellectual rigour with stylistic eloquence ... impressive achievement. * Third Way *
'Many books have been written refcently about theology and liberalism in general, but very few, like this useful study by Robert Son, engage in details with the interaction between theology, and liberal political theory...This is a good book, carefully and responsibly argued, showing that the tradition of Christian democratic thought is alive and well among Evangelicals as well as Catholics.' * Theology *

ISBN: 9780198159339

Dimensions: 225mm x 145mm x 20mm

Weight: 462g

260 pages