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Though remaining independent of organised parties, both political and religious, he was often criticised for interfering in politics, but what he said and wrote had great influence in the corridors of power. As Primate, he was one of the greatest moral forces of his time. An outspoken advocate of social reform, his vision was that of a caring Church with a responsibility for putting things right. He cared passionately about the spiritual health of the nation, and his voice in the those dark years of war was listened to, as he looked forward with Christian hope to the new world which would emerge from the old.

He crusaded against usury, slums, dishonesty, and the excessive profit motive in business. His views carried enormous weight in the debate which led to the revolutionary Education Act of 1944. He was a major force in ecumenical circles, the Faith and Order movement, the Life and Liberty movement, the Workers Educational Association, the Industrial Christian Fellowship, the Student Christian Movement, the YMCA, and the Church of England Men’s Society (no longer in existence)
He was instrumental in founding the Council of Christians and Jews, and when he died the World Jewish Congress expressed its deepest grief.
Temple has been described as ‘an independent thinker and philosopher of some significance’, as can be seen in his principal published works: Mens Creatrix (1917), Christus Veritas (1924), Nature, Man and God (1932-34), Readings in St John’s Gospel (1939), and Christianity and Social Order (1942) (see Bibliography).


Some of Temple's quotations

“It is a great mistake to think that God is chiefly interested in religion.”

“Knowledge of God can be fully given to man only in a Person, never in a doctrine. Faith is not the holding of correct doctrine, but personal fellowship with the living God.”

“The Church is the only society on earth that exists for the benefit of non-members.”