This book examines the changing relationship between faith and politics. For the best part of 1700 years, the institutional church has enjoyed a hand-in-hand relationship with government. Indeed, the church has often been seen as the glue that has stopped political systems from disintegrating into anarchy. But in this post-Christendom era the relation of Church and State has weakened to the point where the church can no longer claim to play any significant part in Government. What does the future hold? Where is it all heading? What should be done in the face of radicalised religion?

In the wake of public concerns about the relationship between religion and terror, this book raises questions about how some church teaching about the death of Jesus could be linked to the approval of violence.

Consuming Passion: Why the Killing of Jesus Really Matters, contains essays by a group of British, American and Australian writers which suggest that some popular misunderstandings about the meaning of the death of Jesus Christ may reinforce conflict, division and suffering in today’s world.

The collection of diverse essays shows that theology is not an obscure academic matter or an issue of concern only to a particular religious in-group.