The New Liberalism
Faith the the Third Millennium
A book of essays to mark the Centenary of the Modern Churchpeople’s Union 1998
Edited by Jonathan Clatworthy
Preface and Conclusion by
Martyn Percy
As the new millennium begins, is there to be a revival of religious faith? Will Christians
have a part to play in it? If so, will it be dominated by Christianity’s more authoritarian
and illiberal versions, or will there be a revival of openness and a new willingness
to ask questions and relate people’s faith to their experience of life?
The New Liberalism has been published by the Modern Churchpeople’s Union to commemorate
its Centenary Year in 1998. It shows how Christian thought at its best can respond
fearlessly to the challenges facing religious belief.
Throughout the twentieth century religious belief has faced the twin accusations
of being untrue and irrelevant. Its defenders have been tempted to evade the challenges
by restricting religion to an otherworldly realm, distant from people’s real needs,
where doctrines are to be accepted without question. In this book a variety of contributors
encourage believers to regain confidence, unafraid to ask their deepest questions
and relate their faith to the issues facing our society today.
The Modern Churchpeople’s Union was founded in 1898. It aims to promote within the
Church a constructive engagement with the findings of biblical and theological research.
Accordingly, it recognizes that Church doctrines have often changed in the light
of new circumstances and insights, and believes that continuing change should be
welcomed as an essential part of a living faith.
