Engaging with Contemporary Culture

Martyn Percy is Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford, UK.

'I commend Martyn Percy's new book to Anglican and Catholic laity, pastors, theologians, and bishops. All, with his sprightly prose drawing them in, will find themselves joining his search for authentic paths for Christian faith. All will also find something to disagree with. Percy's well-researched work is not a polite chat about how we can all get along better. His practical theology examines lived faith and ordinary life, where Christianity and culture meet.' Thomas Hughson, SJ, Marquette University, Milwaukee, USA 'Martyn Percy has provided an insightful and fresh approach to the dialogue between theology, church and world. He achieves this through a series of penetrating theological sketches touching the everyday life of churches and western culture. The accent is on engagement, the theology is practical and grounded. The result is an intellectually robust, accessible and provocative public theology. He shows himself to be a theologian at the cutting edge of contemporary Christian Theology. A joy to read and plenty of food for further engagement.' Stephen Pickard, School of Theology, Charles Sturt University, Australia 'One reason why this book by Martyn Percy is worth reading is that it asks the sorts of questions that others sometimes avoid. He is happy to accept the ambiguities with which we live, regarding post-modernity as 'more of a mood' than anything else, and is not afraid to challenge the hegemony of trendy movement such as Radical Orthodoxy (described as 'pushy theological bullying').' Church Times 'The book is worthwhile for those who wish to consider varied aspects of the contemporary Church as it engages with the wider culture and as it reflects or is shaped by that culture as well as when it resists that culture and its messages and values.' Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith 'This Ashgate series has established itself as a source of solid critical thinking on contemporary Christianity by some important scholars in the field, and this latest volume by Martyn Percy is a useful, perceptive and challenging tradition... Percy has much to offer the student, the scholar and the interested observer. He writes with insight, experience, knowledge and wit - a valuable contribution to the growing literature on Congregational Studies.' Theological Book Review 'For those in theological education it will [...] be a ready resource. It would be a mistake, however, not to recognise its value to a much wider audience. It sets out information about Christian thinking today and what is happening, sometimes in obscure parts of the churches. It should at least be available in libraries where students and scholars are concerned about how religion engages with contemporary culture.' Journal of Contemporary Religion 'Percy's book provides us with a reliable guide through recent discussions of the theology of culture... the distinctive strength of Percy's book is that it is a study in practical theology, and is grounded throughout in real situations and the opportunities, and the dangers, for faith that they bring with them... This is a useful book, full of insight and challenges.' Theology 'Marty Percy is a seasoned insider, well read, urbane, witty and eclectic. For a snapshot of a particular flavour of English Anglicanism this is the picture to send to friends.' International Journal of Public Theology

• Engaging with Contemporary Culture