Christianity and culture, Culture, Christendom 

Religious Perspectives 

In a work of broad scope, Professor Dawson defines the basic elements of culture - a common way of life, a tradition embodied in institutions, moral standards and principles. He discovers in the interaction of Christianity and Western civilisation throughout the ages a definite cycle of historic action: an age of intense spiritual activity in response to a new historical situation, a period of achievement in which new forms of life, art and thought are created, and time of retreat when the Church is attacked from within or without.

"A most stimulating study of the relation of civilisation and culture to the Christian faith. The last chapter Is the Church too Western? raises some very searching questions particularly when one thinks of what is happening in Africa today." - The Guardian

"Professor Dawson is always easy to read and at times superb. He has certainly placed all thoughtful Christians still further in his debt." - Hibbert Journal

"This fine essay . . . stimulating . . . it is to be hoped that it will be widely read." - Church Times

"There is vigour and vitality in this book that leaves one tingling. It has power to rouse us out of comfortable optimism by its frank recognition of the blackness of our present situation, and to send us into action by its note of unconquerable hope." - Catholic Herald

Christopher Dawson is Stillman-Guest Professor of Roman Catholic Theological Studies at Harvard University. Among his many books are Religion and Culture, Christianity and the Rise of Western Culture and Dynamics of World History.

Taken from the inside flaps.