Routledge Law, Liberty and Church - Authority in English Churches

Law, Liberty and Church provides an in-depth examination of authority structures within England's five largest religious institutions: the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church, and the Baptist Union. This Routledge publication explores how Scripture, Roman Legal Theory, and Greek Philosophy have shaped ecclesiastical governance over time. Gordon Arthur investigates the historical development of these authority patterns, revealing how Roman legal theory has influenced institutional rigidity and authoritarianism within certain denominations. The book offers scholars, theologians, and students of religious studies a comprehensive analysis of how different churches balance authority with individual liberty, making it essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the theological and philosophical foundations of modern church governance and the interplay between law and religious freedom.