Britannia, Europa and Christendom:

British Christians and European Integration

 

 

Philip M. Coupland

drpmc66@ntlworld.com

Description

Britannia, Europa and Christendom reveals the important, but little known, role of the Christian Churches in debates on the question of Britain and a united Europe. The discussion ranges from the now forgotten British federalist boom of the 1930s and 1940s, through the Cold War and the ups and downs of Britain’s fraught post-war relationship with the European Movement, to its belated membership of the European Union. In so doing, it brings to light the elite webs of influence linking Christians and politicians and examines their sometimes problematic nature. Similarly, it shows the complex, ambivalent and conflicting relationships between national identity and Christian universalism, and between Britain’s heritage as a world imperial power, a European nation, and its status as the junior partner in the ‘transatlantic alliance’. It also comments on the place of Europe’s Christian heritage today, at the beginning of what may be a new era of conflict between West and East.

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Reviews

 

Keith Robbins, Professor Emeritus, University of Wales, Lampeter, UK writes of the book: 'This scholarly historical analysis of a British Christian elite searching, amidst the ruins of Christendom, for a 'United Europe', from 1945 to the present, is at the same time a stimulating contribution to current debate about Europe's 'soul' (or lack of one).' Professor John S. Conway, editor of the newsletter of the Association of Contemporary Church Historians, provides a detailed review of the book, describing it as a ‘comprehensive and illuminating account’ and ‘a welcome addition to our knowledge’ (October 2007, Vol. XIII, No. 10). Similarly, John Arnold, Dean Emeritus of Durham, and a former President of the Conference of European Churches describes the book as an ‘admirably researched and detailed work’ (The Church Times (Issue No. 7526, 8 June 2007) Other positive reviews have come from W. Kaiser in The English Historical Review (2008, Vol. CXXIII, No. 501, p. 529) and Javier Oliva in The Journal of Ecclesiastical History (2008, vol. 59, p. 592-592). Dr. Javier comments:  'There is no doubt that this book is timely and provocative and I have no hesitation in recommending it to all scholars with an interest in law, sociology, history and religion.'