Christianity, Otherization, and Contemporary Politics

Christianity, Otherization, and Contemporary Politics PDF Author: Roberto E. Alejandro
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1978707215
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 97

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Book Description
In Christianity, Otherization, and Contemporary Politics, Roberto E. Alejandro argues that the identity politics of the American far-left follow an identity paradigm nurtured in our intellectual history by early Christian thinkers such as Clement of Alexandra, Origen of Alexandria, and Eusebius of Caesarea, who all claimed that a form of “wokeness” gave them special access to truth and thereby an exclusive right to speak it. At one time this argument was a strike at power, but once mixed with power, it became a moral justification for violence against non-Christians. Alejandro warns those engaged in political practice to beware the way our intellectual history, steeped in theological propositions, can operate silently to steer us towards reinforcing problems we intended to resist.

Christianity, Otherization, and Contemporary Politics

Christianity, Otherization, and Contemporary Politics PDF Author: Roberto E. Alejandro
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
ISBN: 1978707215
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 97

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Book Description
In Christianity, Otherization, and Contemporary Politics, Roberto E. Alejandro argues that the identity politics of the American far-left follow an identity paradigm nurtured in our intellectual history by early Christian thinkers such as Clement of Alexandra, Origen of Alexandria, and Eusebius of Caesarea, who all claimed that a form of “wokeness” gave them special access to truth and thereby an exclusive right to speak it. At one time this argument was a strike at power, but once mixed with power, it became a moral justification for violence against non-Christians. Alejandro warns those engaged in political practice to beware the way our intellectual history, steeped in theological propositions, can operate silently to steer us towards reinforcing problems we intended to resist.

Nations under God

Nations under God PDF Author: Anna M. Grzymała-Busse
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400866456
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 439

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Book Description
Why churches in some democratic nations wield enormous political power while churches in other democracies don't In some religious countries, churches have drafted constitutions, restricted abortion, and controlled education. In others, church influence on public policy is far weaker. Why? Nations under God argues that where religious and national identities have historically fused, churches gain enormous moral authority—and covert institutional access. These powerful churches then shape policy in backrooms and secret meetings instead of through open democratic channels such as political parties or the ballot box. Through an in-depth historical analysis of six Christian democracies that share similar religious profiles yet differ in their policy outcomes—Ireland and Italy, Poland and Croatia, and the United States and Canada—Anna Grzymała-Busse examines how churches influenced education, abortion, divorce, stem cell research, and same-sex marriage. She argues that churches gain the greatest political advantage when they appear to be above politics. Because institutional access is covert, they retain their moral authority and their reputation as defenders of the national interest and the common good. Nations under God shows how powerful church officials in Ireland, Canada, and Poland have directly written legislation, vetoed policies, and vetted high-ranking officials. It demonstrates that religiosity itself is not enough for churches to influence politics—churches in Italy and Croatia, for example, are not as influential as we might think—and that churches allied to political parties, such as in the United States, have less influence than their notoriety suggests.

Politics after Christendom

Politics after Christendom PDF Author: David VanDrunen
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
ISBN: 0310108853
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 401

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Book Description
For more than a millennium, beginning in the early Middle Ages, most Western Christians lived in societies that sought to be comprehensively Christian--ecclesiastically, economically, legally, and politically. That is to say, most Western Christians lived in Christendom. But in a gradual process beginning a few hundred years ago, Christendom weakened and finally crumbled. Today, most Christians in the world live in pluralistic political communities. And Christians themselves have very different opinions about what to make of the demise of Christendom and how to understand their status and responsibilities in a post-Christendom world. Politics After Christendom argues that Scripture leaves Christians well-equipped for living in a world such as this. Scripture gives no indication that Christians should strive to establish some version of Christendom. Instead, it prepares them to live in societies that are indifferent or hostile to Christianity, societies in which believers must live faithful lives as sojourners and exiles. Politics After Christendom explains what Scripture teaches about political community and about Christians' responsibilities within their own communities. As it pursues this task, Politics After Christendom makes use of several important theological ideas that Christian thinkers have developed over the centuries. These ideas include Augustine's Two-Cities concept, the Reformation Two-Kingdoms category, natural law, and a theology of the biblical covenants. Politics After Christendom brings these ideas together in a distinctive way to present a model for Christian political engagement. In doing so, it interacts with many important thinkers, including older theologians (e.g., Augustine, Aquinas, and Calvin), recent secular political theorists (e.g., Rawls, Hayek, and Dworkin), contemporary political-theologians (e.g., Hauerwas, O'Donovan, and Wolterstorff), and contemporary Christian cultural commentators (e.g., MacIntyre, Hunter, and Dreher). Part 1 presents a political theology through a careful study of the biblical story, giving special attention to the covenants God has established with his creation and how these covenants inform a proper view of political community. Part 1 argues that civil governments are legitimate but penultimate, and common but not neutral. It concludes that Christians should understand themselves as sojourners and exiles in their political communities. They ought to pursue justice, peace, and excellence in these communities, but remember that these communities are temporary and thus not confuse them with the everlasting kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christians' ultimate citizenship is in this new-creation kingdom. Part 2 reflects on how the political theology developed in Part 1 provides Christians with a framework for thinking about perennial issues of political and legal theory. Part 2 does not set out a detailed public policy or promote a particular political ideology. Rather, it suggests how Christians might think about important social issues in a wise and theologically sound way, so that they might be better equipped to respond well to the specific controversies they face today. These issues include race, religious liberty, family, economics, justice, rights, authority, and civil resistance. After considering these matters, Part 2 concludes by reflecting on the classical liberal and conservative traditions, as well as recent challenges to them by nationalist and progressivist movements.

Christianity And Democracy In Global Context

Christianity And Democracy In Global Context PDF Author: John Witte
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429720076
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 450

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Book Description
In the past, Christianity has had both positive and negative influences on democracy. Christian churches have served as benevolent agents of welfare and catalysts of political reform. But they have also served as belligerent allies of repression and censors of human rights. Christian theology has helped to cultivate democratic ideas of equality, li

Five Views on the Church and Politics

Five Views on the Church and Politics PDF Author: J. Brian Benestad
Publisher: Zondervan Academic
ISBN: 0310517931
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
Learn to think deeply about the relationship between church and state in a way that goes beyond mere policy debates and current campaigns. Few topics can grab headlines and stir passions quite like politics, especially when the church is involved. Considering the attention that many Christian parachurch groups, churches, and individual believers give to politics--and of the varying and sometimes divergent political ideals and aims among them--Five Views on the Church and Politics provides a helpful breakdown of the possible Christian approaches to political involvement. General Editor Amy Black brings together five top-notch political theologians in the book, each representing one of the five key political traditions within Christianity: Anabaptist (Separationist: the most limited possible Christian involvement in politics) - represented by Thomas Heilke Lutheran (Paradoxical: strong separation of church and state) – represented by Robert Benne Black Church (Prophetic: the church's mission is to be a voice for communal reform) – represented by Bruce Fields Reformed (Transformationist: emphasizes God's sovereignty over all things, including churches and governments) – represented by James K. A. Smith Catholic (Synthetic: encouragement of political participation as a means to further the common good of all people) – represented by J. Brian Benestad Each author addresses his tradition's theological distinctives, the role of government, the place of individual Christian participation in government and politics, and how churches should (or should not) address political questions. Responses by each contributor to opposing views will highlight key areas of difference and disagreement. Thorough and even-handed, Five Views on the Church and Politics will enable readers to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the most significant Christian views on political engagement and to draw their own, informed conclusions.

The Sleeping Giant Has Awoken

The Sleeping Giant Has Awoken PDF Author: Jeffrey W. Robbins
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 0826429688
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
Introduction by John Caputo and Afterword by Slavoj Žižek The triumph of American political conservatism in the last two decades has been paralleled by the ascendance of Christian evangelicalism. More importantly, the political Campaigns of 2000 and 2004 marked a convergence between these two political entities with an effectiveness never before seen in national elections. On the one side, conservatives have successfully set the terms of debate around so-called "family values" and the status of religion in the public sphere. On the other side, evangelicals have mobilized in a new self-awareness of their formidable political power and now demand representation at all levels of government. Upon what fundamental ideas does this convergence rest? What potential dangers does it present for the concepts of "religion," "politics" and "America"? How secure is this alliance, and what does each side sacrifice in order to sustain it? Must all religion in America now become similarly engaged in the political sphere? This volume is a collection of articles by a group of young scholars addressing the nexus between political conservatism, evangelical Christianity, and American consumerist culture.

Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual Warfare PDF Author: Sara Diamond
Publisher: Black Rose Books Ltd.
ISBN: 9780921689645
Category : Christianity and politics
Languages : en
Pages : 308

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Book Description


Just Politics

Just Politics PDF Author: Ronald J. Sider
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1441239820
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 400

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Book Description
Evangelicals today probably have more political influence in the United States than at any time in the last century--but they might not be certain what to do with it. It has been difficult to develop a unified voice on pressing issues such as social justice and moral renewal. Bestselling author and theologian Ron Sider offers a biblically grounded, factually rooted, Christian approach to politics that cuts across ideological divides. Shaped by a careful study of society, this book will guide readers into more thoughtful and effective political activity. It addresses perennially tough questions that often divide the church and includes a case study of the federal deficit debate. Practical, balanced, and nonpartisan, this book will be a welcome resource during the 2012 presidential race. This is a revised version of what was previously published as The Scandal of Evangelical Politics.

Christianity and Power Politics Today

Christianity and Power Politics Today PDF Author: E. Patterson
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 0230610536
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 189

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Book Description
This volume aims to reconstruct and debate a contemporary Christian realist framework, while also applying such a perspective to the issues of contemporary politics such as the Bush Doctrine, the laws of war, democracy and democratization, U.S. participation in international institutions, and apocalyptic terrorism.

Religion and Authoritarianism

Religion and Authoritarianism PDF Author: Karrie J. Koesel
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107037069
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 241

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Book Description
This book examines the political consequences of growing religiosity in countries where politics are repressive and religious freedoms are in flux. The study compares how two authoritarian regimes - Russia and China - manage religion and how religious communities navigate restrictive political environments to pursue their own spiritual and economic interests.