That there is a crisis of authority in the Church is undeniable. At all times of crisis people tend to take up extreme positions: charity communication and truth itself are often amongst the first casualties. Dr. Muller’s challenging and timely book seeks to lift the whole debate from ‘progressive to a level where, I people Paul’s words, ‘obedience has been developed into a dialogue’. His conclusions are based as much on an authentic historical tradition as on awareness of modern man’s sociological and psychological situation. Ecumenism begins at home; here is an expression of it, both dogmatically informed and charitably perceptive. Just as reflections at Dr. Muller’s level are almost indispensable for mature minds taking stock of their position within the Church today, so are they for those taking stock of the Church from without.