Why is the Church of England perceived by many as homophobic, misogynist, or just plain weird? Because two movements within it, the Calvinists and the Charismatics, have recently achieved a degree of influence disproportionate to their numerical strength. The Calvinists have played the media and ecclesiastical politics games with skill and determination, while sternly identifying themselves as guardians of the one true Reformed doctrine. The Charismatics have taken a different approach, embracing many elements of late-modern culture while retaining a distinctly premodern worldview.

Peter Herriot argues that to recover from the opportunity costs and reputational damage that it has suffered at their hands, the Church of England must seize back the agenda from the Calvinists and face outwards rather than inwards. In its efforts to come to terms with globalization, the church's leadership will need to sideline the Calvinists and encourage the Charismatics with their recently increased social involvement.

Written by a social psychologist, Warfare and Waves is full of detailed case studies that give a vivid insight into the organizational structures and subcultures of these two very different evangelical movements.