The Church of England and British Politics since 1900

Philip Williamson editor Tom Rodger editor Matthew Grimley editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Boydell & Brewer Ltd

Published:20th Mar '20

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The Church of England and British Politics since 1900 cover

Bringing together researchers in modern British religious, political, intellectual and social history, this volume considers the persistence of the Church's public significance, despite its falling membership. During the twentieth century, the relationship between the Church of England and the British state was transformed. The character and dynamics of the connections shifted as politics became more democratic and society more secular,as the role of the Crown and parliament in Church government was curtailed, and as the Christian foundations of secular law were weakened. Yet the increasing formal separation of Church and state was not accompanied by ecclesiastical disengagement from politics and government. Despite its falling membership, the Church of England continued - and continues - to wield influence on political life in Britain. This volume of essays brings together researchers in modern British religious, political, intellectual and social history to consider the persistence of the Church's public significance. The introduction reviews the developing literature on the relationships between the Church, the state and politics from 1900 to recent times. The essays which follow consider aspects of these complex intersections: in parliament, party politics and the parish; on the nature of the Church establishment and conceptions of national identity; in religious and sexual education; on colonial and foreign policies; on race and the multi-faith society. In these various ways, the volume shows that pronouncements on a modern demise of ecclesiastical influence in political life have been premature.

Does what all good academic history should do in drawing out nuances that get lost in the familiar picture. * THE SPECTATOR *
The Church of England and British Politics since 1900 challenges overextended reliance on secularization theory now in vogue while inviting historians of modern Britain to break the distinct silos of church and political history to spur ". . . further development of a still inchoate historical field" (4). * ANGLICAN & EPISCOPAL HISTORY *
This book will be of value to every student of the period, giving new insights from primary sources and guiding the general reader to a mass of important secondary literature about the historical forces which have shaped the Church of England in the twentieth century. -- Mark Dorsett * Modern Believing *

ISBN: 9781783274680

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

340 pages