Faith in Politics?
Rediscovering The Christian Roots of Our Political Values – Sarum Theological Lectures
by Richard Harries
Paperback
Price: £12.95
Publisher:DLT (Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd)
Published:February 2010
ISBN:978-0-232-52787-2
GoodBookStall Review:
A momentous election year, resulting in an unprecedented coalition government, saw the publication of this welcome and timely book. The election had been preceded by a period of intense public scepticism and suspicion about politics and politicians, due largely to the scandal of illegitimate expenses claims, and a spell of unhealthy and increasing indifference about voting. But Richard Harries believes that “politics is too important to be left to politicians”. He explores the Christian grounding of things we take for granted in our political structures, devoting chapters to Democracy (“What makes us think God wants it?” That’s Harries’ teasing chapter heading! Answer is Yes, of course!), to Human Rights (“Does God believe in them?” Yes, again), and to the threefold slogan, “Liberty, Equality and Human Community” (an expression Harries prefers to the more sexist-sounding ‘Fraternity’). The final chapter tackles the important topic of identity and ‘Britishness’. A very readable, thought-provoking book.
Reviewer: Barry Vendy (29/06/10)
A momentous election year, resulting in an unprecedented coalition government, saw the publication of this welcome and timely book. The election had been preceded by a period of intense public scepticism and suspicion about politics and politicians, due largely to the scandal of illegitimate expenses claims, and a spell of unhealthy and increasing indifference about voting. But Richard Harries believes that “politics is too important to be left to politicians”. He explores the Christian grounding of things we take for granted in our political structures, devoting chapters to Democracy (“What makes us think God wants it?” That’s Harries’ teasing chapter heading! Answer is Yes, of course!), to Human Rights (“Does God believe in them?” Yes, again), and to the threefold slogan, “Liberty, Equality and Human Community” (an expression Harries prefers to the more sexist-sounding ‘Fraternity’). The final chapter tackles the important topic of identity and ‘Britishness’. A very readable, thought-provoking book.
Reviewer: Barry Vendy (29/06/10)
