RT Article
T1 Social enterprise in the theologies of William Temple and John Milbank
JF Journal of beliefs and values
VO 37
IS 3
SP 282
OP 295
A1 Krinks, Philip
LA English
PB Routledge
YR 2016
UL https://ixtheo.de/Record/1571343636
AB This article considers the possibility of enriching the Temple tradition of Anglican social theology. The enrichment in question would involve an increased focus on the role of social enterprises, such as mutuals, co-operatives, community interest companies, micro-enterprises and enterprising charities; whereas the Temple tradition has previously followed William Temple himself in seeking to promote economic and social change primarily by influencing national government. The article asks to what extent this enrichment would find support in Temple's thought, and what the implications of it would be for the Temple tradition. This is explored by developing a contrast between the Temple's theology and that of John Milbank, a theologian of the Radical Orthodoxy movement. Their theologies of social enterprise are shown to have points of similarity, but also important differences, in terms of: the relation between theology and economic and social thought; the role of intermediate associations in society; and approaches to transforming markets. Milbank's theology implies proactive, deep engagement by the church in supporting existing social enterprises and originating new ones, which Temple's does not. The conclusion drawn is that an increased focus on social enterprise has some, but partial, support in Temple's theology. For the Temple tradition an increased focus on social enterprise would imply: changing the focus for dialogue and action to the civic, regional and local, rather than national, level; developing new capabilities and resources, including theological resources which are richer and more specific than Temple's middle axioms; and taking a more selective view of the role of the state.
K1 Church of England
K1 Civil Society
K1 mediating institutions
K1 Pluralism
K1 Religion
K1 Social Enterprise
K1 State
DO 10.1080/13617672.2016.1236326