God and War

'A timely, wide-ranging and fascinating exploration of approaches to war in the twentieth-century Church of England. Given the importance of its subject, this book is also essential reading for all students of British Christianity in this period.' Michael Snape, University of Birmingham, UK 'God and War examines important questions about the changing relationships and tensions between the Anglican Church and people in twentieth century Britain, seen through the lens of the interaction of the church with military conflict in that century. One of its central tenets is that voices raised for and against war by the church during these conflicts had a significant impact on the influence of the church in an increasingly secular society.' Birmingham On War blog 'As the editors to this collection of essays on the response of the Church of England to armed conflict in the 20th-Century point out, the church has enjoyed an enhanced national role during times of war and debate about war when its role as moral conscience becomes clearer. But, as the editors also point out, there has also been a diversity of opinions when a Church plays host to a number of views about war... This is a book that sheds light on a number of topics and raises many questions.' Church of England Newspaper 'God and War is an important and pioneering study of Anglican reactions to conflict from the Boer War to those of the 1990s.' Church Times 'Overall, this is a worthwhile volume that adds a great deal to our understanding of the role of the Church of England through a century of unprecedented conflict... this is a valuable and important volume which helps in the reappraisal of the role of the Christian Churches in time of war.' Journal of Anglican Studies 'I highly recommend this volume, and hope that others follow its lead by publishing similar work for their own denominations.' McMaster Journal of Theology '...this volume contains well-written essays ... it makes a valuable addition to a social history library.' Journal of Contemporary Religion '...with the hundredth anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War ...there is much here to stimulate and inform a credible reflection across the churches today. If we are to move beyond our usual platitudes towards a more creative reflection on God and war, this is quite the sort of thing that needs to be read.' Modern Believing 'This collection of essays provides a valuable historiographical gateway into twentieth-century wars that presently continue in various new guises. It is highly recommended.' Studies in Christian Ethics