Christianity and Civilisation: Foundations and Specific Problems

Christianity and Civilisation presents Emil Brunner's engagement with social and political questions in the aftermath of the Second World War. Based upon his Gifford Lectures given at the University of St. Andrew's in 1947 and 1948, it represents a departure from Brunner's more systematic theological work to consider an important question: namely, what is the relationship between Christian faith and Western civilisation? Divided into two series, the First Series treats various fundamental philosophical themes such as being, time and freedom. This treatment forms the basis for the Second Series, where Brunner broadens his scope to consider more social, cultural and political themes such as education, work, science, art and power. Finally, the work ends with a reflection on Christianity beyond civilisation. Equal parts philosophy, cultural theory, religious anthropology, history and theology, Christianity and Civilisation traces a path starting from fundamental philosophical insights through key developments in Western history. In doing so, he provides a Christian answer to the question of civilisation in light of the horrors of the Second World War.