Politics, Religion and the British Revolutions

This biography provides an in-depth look at Samuel Rutherford's political and religious ideas, particularly through his significant work, Politics, Religion and the British Revolutions.

This intellectual biography delves into the life and thoughts of Samuel Rutherford, a prominent Scottish theologian and political theorist from the early 17th century. Politics, Religion and the British Revolutions offers a comprehensive exploration of Rutherford's influential ideas, particularly focusing on his major work, Lex, Rex. Written in 1644, this treatise serves as a crucial justification for the Scottish Covenanters' resistance to King Charles I, highlighting the intricate relationship between religion and politics during a tumultuous period in British history.

The book meticulously examines Rutherford's political philosophy, which synthesizes natural law theory with biblical principles. However, it also reveals how his vision of an ideal, covenanted nation, rooted in Old Testament ideals, ultimately complicated his adherence to the politics of natural reason. In addition to his political theories, Politics, Religion and the British Revolutions explores various facets of Rutherford's life, including his connections to women, his deep spirituality, and the broader intellectual currents of his time, such as scholasticism and humanism.

Scholars and students interested in early modern political thought, as well as those studying Scottish and English history, Calvinism, and Puritanism, will find this biography particularly valuable. By shedding light on Samuel Rutherford's contributions and the context in which he operated, the book enriches our understanding of the ideological struggles that shaped the British revolutions and their enduring impact on contemporary thought.