“Christianity and Civil Society” (Orbis/Boston Theological Institute, 166 pp.; $16.95, paper), edited by Rodney Peterson, a collection of essays first presented at the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Boston Theological Institute in 1992-93, is a lively volume of reflections on church and society in America today, with an eye toward new imperatives for theological education. Leading off with Robert Bellah on “How to Understand the Church in an Individualistic Society,” the lineup of contributors includes David Hollenbach, Richard Lovelace, Lawrence Mamiya, Brian McDermott, Robert Cummings Neville, Kwok Pui-Lan (whose agitprop piece, “The Global Challenge,” is the weakest in the collection), Max Stackhouse, and Eldin Villafane. Peterson’s editorial commentary links the essays, making this book a conversation and not merely a compilation.
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