Five Views on the Church and Politics is an excellent introduction to how five denominations view the intersection of their church and politics. Each of the five give an overview of their theology and how it applies to the topic at hand, then the other four respond with the differences and similarities between the the two denominations. This format is ideal for an academic setting but is also accessible to a layperson who wants to learn about various theologies.

This reminds me of the Bedford Critical Editions within the literature discipline. Those books present a work, usually a novel, then present explanations of various schools of thought, each followed by a critical essay demonstrating how that school of thought might approach the novel in question. Both the Bedford series and this Counterpoints series provide explanation as well as compare-and-contrast opportunities for learners to better distinguish differences.

While intended, I believe, for an academic audience, this would certainly be a wonderful addition to the library of anyone who likes to better understand the views of other people. The disagreements within the book are presented positively and not in a particularly confrontational manner and should be read as educational and not argumentative. The argument can only really begin after one has honestly tried to understand another viewpoint, so read each with a mind toward understanding, not responding, then revisit with an eye toward responding. This will broaden your understanding of both these denominations as well as your own should it not be included here.

I found no entry with which I was in complete agreement yet gained much from understanding these views even if I changed very little of my personal view.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )