The Fatal Opulence of Bishops (Classic Reprint)

Hubert Handley

ISBN 10: 133412888X / ISBN 13: 9781334128882

Published by Forgotten Books, 2018

About this Item

Print on Demand. This book examines the historical and ethical reasons for the disconnect between the Church of England and the urban working class. The author provides ample evidence, including statistics, expert testimony, and personal anecdotes, to illustrate the spiritual crisis facing the urban poor. The author argues that the luxurious lifestyle of bishops, with their palaces, wealth, and aristocratic status, is a significant contributing factor to this crisis, as it sends the message that the Church is more concerned with the comfort of the affluent than with the salvation of the poor. The book suggests that the Church, to regain its relevance, must embrace simplicity, reduce its ties to wealth and power, and demonstrate a genuine concern for the spiritual well-being of all, regardless of their social status. This thought-provoking book offers valuable insights into the challenges facing the Christian Church and proposes a path forward to restore its relevance in the modern world. This book is a reproduction of an important historical work, digitally reconstructed using state-of-the-art technology to preserve the original format. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in the book.

Seller Inventory # 9781334128882_0

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Fatal Opulence of Bishops (Classic Reprint)
• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication Date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 133412888X
• ISBN 13: 9781334128882
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Book Type: print-on-demand item
• Seller catalogs:
  • Christianity

About this title

Synopsis

Reforming the church starts with facing its wealth. This sharp, historical critique asks hard questions about the opulence of bishops and what it costs the faithful.

This nonfiction work examines how lavish church leadership can hinder reform and harm the people it serves. Drawing on published disputes, sermons, and contemporary testimony, it argues that excess in episcopal life is a neglected ingredient in church reform and calls for clear, practical steps toward a more accessible, mission-focused church.

• Understand how perceived dignity and material riches are linked to the church’s influence and the trust of everyday readers.
• Explore historical arguments about reform, clergy life, and the relationship between church leadership and the laity.
• Consider concrete proposals for restructuring bishoprics and reducing ostentation to support broader religious work.
• Reflect on how literature, preaching, and publishing shape the church’s reach among the poor and in urban life.

Ideal for readers interested in church history, reform debates, and the social responsibilities of religious leadership.