There is no more crucial question to many Christians than the nature of the Church and its role in the world. The Church today is involved in the full gamut of human activity, not just indirectly but directly, in her corporate capacity. It is now difficult, if indeed possible, to make any distinction between spirtual and political activities with which the Church is involved. Nowadays the gospel is interpreted in such a way that authority for this involvement is claimed from the founder of Christianity Himself. But should this really be the case? Should the Church be entering the political arena, for in so doing surely it is compromising Christ's original message. This study is a timely and controversial attempt to redress the serious imbalance in the thinking of modem Christians. Part I of Philip Blair's challenging and thought-provoking book traces the Church's history over nearly 2,000 years. Here is illustrated to us, the Church's osscillations between faithfulness and apostacy, only to be reaffirmed by a lone prophetic voice. In Part 2 we look at the origins of Christianity, the birth, life and teaching of Christ, the reasons for his death and the birth and conditions of membership of the Church. This study represents a life-times work and thought for the author. The arguements he puts forward are cogent and logically developed making this an ideal work for any religious discussion group, and a book of great interest to the general reader who has concern for the fate of an institution for which thousands have been willing to die for. Philip Blair has worked as a full-time Anglican priest and also insecular employment . He has lived and worked in Africa, the Middle East and currently, in the Gulf. He has seen at first hand the consequences of a politically active Church.