Beliefs, values, and policies - Duncan B Forrester

This book argues that Christian theology has a particularly significant contribution to make to debates about public policy in a plural society in a secular age. Where there is no longer a consensus about goals, or a shared public philosophy, there is a special responsibility laid on theology to present its distinctive understandings and insights into the human condition. Without this, public life is impoverished and a theology which withdraws into the private and the subjective realm is distorted. However, there is a need today to re-examine the basis, content, and manner of theology's contribution in the contemporary context. To this end, the author scrutinizes the major approaches which have been adopted in recent decades, and attempts a constructive statement as to how theology may most appropriately contribute to the debate about public policy.;This book is intended for theologians and theological students; clergy and educated laity; political scientists and specialists in social policy; students of politics.