'… an elegant, accessible and measured discussion about the potential role of the church in contributing to cicil society in the twenty-first century. The writing is scholarly, marked by precision, based on a deep and smoothly assimilated knowledge of church history, and displaying an ironic and ecumenical spirit. Undergraduates and intelligent members of the public, as well as more advanced students and specialists in the field of religion and politics, will find much of interest to reflect upon here. … offers guidance for Christians who seek ways to combine fidelity in their discipleship with a critical and creative engagement as citizens; it shows them they can be confident and constructive in this double task. It also offers reassurance to those outside of religious faith that efforts to influence society by religious groups do not constitute a front for, nor need lead inevitably to, theocratic intrusion, unwarranted interference of the defence of narrowly sectarian interests.' The Heythrop Journal