Before and Beyond the 'Big Society': John Milbank and the Church of England's Approach to Welfare

Joseph Forde's book "Before and Beyond the Big Society" explores John Milbank's theology of welfare and its influence on Church of England policy since 2008. He shows how Milbank's Blue Socialist fingerprint dominates policy, offering a critical discussion of mainstream Anglican theology and demonstrating how other influential Anglicans have furthered his ideas.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 24 November 2022
Publisher: James Clarke & Co Ltd

John Milbank's theology has had a profound impact on modern political thinking, both within and outside the Church. In his book "Before and Beyond the Big Society," Joseph Forde delves into the theology of welfare developed by John Milbank and its influence on policy in the Church of England since 2008. Forde's study is the first dedicated to exploring Milbank's theology of welfare and its impact on Church policy.

Through an examination of the Church's favorable response to the Big Society project in 2010-12, Forde demonstrates that Milbank's Blue Socialist fingerprint increasingly dominates Church policy. However, it is important to note that this theology has not emerged in isolation, and Forde provides a comprehensive historical and theoretical context for it. He critically discusses Milbank's critique of the mainstream Anglican theology of welfare that has prevailed in the Church of England since the 1940s and offers a fresh perspective on Anglican social theology.

Furthermore, Forde highlights how other influential Anglicans have further developed Milbank's ideas, which will have significant implications for the Church of England's policy on welfare in the future. This study is of utmost relevance to all individuals who are interested in understanding the Church's contribution to welfare provision and its potential future direction.

Weight: 494g
Dimension: 156 x 232 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780227177778