Leaving Christendom for Good

Leaving Christendom for Good argues that the solution to some of the most troubling tensions in the life of the Catholic Church since Vatican II can be found in the councils document Gaudium et spes. This texts view of the churchs mission and social relationships as dialogical has the capacity to liberate. Part One studies the contemporary place of religionwith particular reference to Charles Taylors groundbreaking work, A Secular Ageand examines Gaudium et spess dialogical view of the church-world relationship. Part Two explores what true dialogue entails and how it is best understood theologically, engaging critically with Joseph Ratzingers view of the church-world relationship. The books final chapter considers two practical implications of its argument: how evangelization can be best understood today, and how the church can best approach issues in the public sphere.