Temple's Thought And Teaching

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30342, 18 January 1964, Page 3

Temple's Thought And Teaching

Social Concern in the Thought of William Temple. By Robert Craig. Gollancz. 160 pp. William Temple, the late Archbishop of Canterbury, is one of the most important contributors to Christian social thought in this century Robert Craig, Professor of Theology at the University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, has attempted in this essay to examine the philosophical and theological basis of Temple's social teaching and to show how changes in his philosophical and theological views had their counterpart in changed views of the social order. Temple was essentially a theologian and Professor Craig outlines the late Archbishop's theological and philosophical position as a necessary basis for an account of his social teaching. The author is obviously a warm admirer of Temple, and hisi

conviction that there is a perennial quality in Temple’s contribution to Christian social teaching, provided the motive for the study. Nevertheless, Professor Craig remains critical. He points to significant limitations in Temple’s interests and knowledge. Certain aspects of his collectivism, for example, prevented him from understanding the pacifist position Temple’s own sanguine and believing disposition made it difficult for him to communicate with struggling disbelief. Since Temple's death, the philosophical and theological views on which he based his social teaching have become unfashionable. This makes Professor Craig's account of Temple’s Christian realism of greater importance than ever Those concerned with the necessary social implications of the Christian faith will welcome this critical account of William Temple’s social 1 thought and teaching.