The effectiveness of Christian participation in political, economic, and social life depends upon understanding the proper relationship between the Church and the world, Christ and culture. In this monograph, Eduardo Echeverria illuminates the recent history of thought on this subject, and articulates a way of thinking about the relationship that can appeal broadly to serious Christians in today's world. Using H. Richard Niebuhr's schema as a starting point rather than as the definitive statement on the matter, the author adapts the categories, suggests their strengths and weaknesses, and evaluates them in light of the vision of Pope John Paul II's "new evangelization." Christian engagement of contemporary culture - "slitting the sycamore" - is an essential task if that culture is to be a source of vitality and sustenance. Echeverria points the way.