"This selection of writings vividly captures the most important moments in the history of Christianity, providing insights into 2000 years of Christian theological and political debate. The anthology was first published in 1943, and has since become established as a classic reference work. While retaining the original material selected by Henry Bettenson, Chris Maunder added in 1999 a substantial section of more recent writings for the third edition. These illustrate the Second Vatican Council; the theologies of liberation; Church and State from Thatcher's Britain to Communist Eastern Europe; Black, feminist, and ecological theology; ecumenism; and inter-faith dialogue. The emphasis on moral debate in the contemporary churches is reflected in sections discussing questions about homosexuality, divorce, AIDS and in-vitro fertilization. This expanded fourth edition brings the anthology up to date with a new section looking at major issues facing the twenty-first century churches. This includes extracts exploring the churches' responses to questions of social justice, international politics, trade and debt, environmental change and technological development, including the Internet. The new edition also examines the global growth of Christianity, the progress of Christian unity, mission in multi-faith societies, disability, migration, domestic violence and addiction."--P. [4] of cover.