Despite our material and technological advances, Western society is experiencing a deep malaise caused by a breakdown of trust. We've been misled by authorities and institutions, by businesses and politicians, and even by those who were supposed to care for us. The very cohesion of society seems tenuous at times.

The church is not immune from these trends. Historically, it has a dubious record when it has wielded power; personally, many of its members are as afflicted by our culture's breakdown as anyone.

In A Wilderness of Mirrors author Mark...