'Chaplin provides an accessible and engaging overview of the key institutional and political dynamics shaping church-state relations and the place of religion in public life in Britain today. At the same time, the book sets out constructive arguments for constitutional, liberal democracy and how it accords with his particular vision of Christian democratic pluralism, a vision that draws on rich traditions of Christian reflection while also attending to contemporary political conditions. Underlying the book as a whole is the conviction that politics only serves its true end when it builds up the common good and enables the pursuit of public justice.' -- Luke Bretherton
A fascinating and helpful work for Christians grappling with politics at any level. Engaging confidently with contemporary political theory, Chaplin argues robustly for religiously integrated citizens to engage faithfully in politics. He points out that Desmond Tutu's case against apartheid was stronger, not weaker, for asserting that humans are made in the image of God. And he's right that faithful speech can strengthen politics by opening up public discourse, which - unlike so much today - entails the expression of citizens' deepest motivations. -- Rt Hon. Stephen Timms, MP
For 15 years, Theos has been trying to bring a critically supportive voice to our vexed discussions on secularism, on liberalism, on democracy and, above all, on faith in public life - so I am delighted to recommend Jonathan Chaplin's book on the topic. Intelligent, subtle, erudite, faithful, reasonable, Faith in Democracy is what Christian political theology at its best can be: an open, honest and generous contribution to our conversations on how we can live well together. -- Elizabeth Oldfield, Director, Theos
