For the past four hundred years, theological debate has been dominated by a fundamental divide: between the liberals, with strong loyalties to the secularity of the secular state and university on the one hand, and the neo-orthodox, insisting on the absolute priority of a proper loyalty to the church community itself, on the other. God and Modernity strikes off in a fundamentally new directionAndrew Shanks boldly calls for a new and better way to do theology.
Shanks argues that God is most present in a culture where public debate over ethical issues flourishes best. Social movements such as feminist movements, peace movements, and green movements have emerged to challenge both Church and State. These new movements are no longer confined to a particular confessional religious identity and are independent of state sponsorship. These social movements already made an individual impact on theology. What would a theology look like, systematically trying to reconcile older divisions in the theological debate with a new loyalty to such movements common ethos?
Anyone wishing to gain a refreshing insight into a new way of understanding theology and politics will welcome this ground-breaking book.

About the Author
Andrew Shanks is a priest in the Church of England, currently working for the diocese of York. He is also the author of Hegel's Political Theology and Civil Society, Civil Religion.

Reviews

'This is one of the most interesting and challenging books I have read recently ... This book challenged my own theological prejudices and commitments and Shanks is full of imaginative and intelligent insights.' - Gavin D'Costa, Univeristy of Britsol, Theology

'Lucidly written, and easy to read ... God and Modernity is an original and provocative contribution to theology.' - Times Literary Supplement

'Andrew Shanks has given us an elegant monography deidcated to the finding of a theology which breaks out from the confinement within the university (liberal) or the church (neo-orthodox)' - Andy Draycott, Themelios

'... in this original and important book, Andrew SHanks engages with one interesting feature of current society: the emergence in our 'post-political' times of 'new social movements' ... That [he] can relate a theological reading of solidarity to social movements highlights the importance and provocation of God and Modernity - Peter Scott, Reviews in Religion and Theology

Book Information
ISBN 9780415221894
Author Andrew Shanks
Format Paperback
Page Count 200
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 370g