Christ and the Common Life: Political Theology and the Case for Democracy

In Christ and the Common Life Luke Bretherton provides an introduction to historical and contemporary theological reflection on politics and opens up a compelling vision for a Christian commitment to democracy. In dialogue with Scripture and various traditions, Bretherton examines the dynamic relationship between who we are in relation to God and who we are as moral and political animals. He addresses fundamental political questions about poverty and injustice, forming a common life with strangers, and constructively transforming asymmetries of power. And through his analysis of debates concerning, among other things, race, class, economics, the environ­ment, and interfaith relations, he develops an innovative political theology of democracy as a way through which Christians can speak and act faithfully within our current context. Read as a whole, or as stand-alone chapters, the book guides readers through the political landscape and identifies the primary vocabulary, ideas, and schools of thought that shape Christian reflection on politics in the West. Ideal for the classroom, Christ and the Common Life equips students to understand politics and its positive and negative role in fostering neighbor love. Table of Contents Introduction 1. What Is Political Theology? What Is Politics? Part One: Case Studies in Political Theology 2. Humanitarianism 3. Black Power 4. Pentecostalism 5. Catholic Social Teaching 6. Anglicanism Part Two: Sustaining a Common Life 7. Communion and Class 8. Secularity, Not Secularism 9. Toleration with Hospitality Part Three: Forming a Common Life 10. Humanity 11. Economy 12. Sovereignty 13. The People and Populism 14. Democratic Politics Read more