The Cambridge Companion to Christian Political Theology

This volume explores contemporary Christian political theology, discussing its traditional sources, its emergence as a discipline, and its key issues.

This accessible volume provides a concise overview of the development of contemporary Christian political theology and its key issues while making important critical and constructive contributions to the field. An invaluable resource for students and scholars in theology, it will also be beneficial to those in history, philosophy, and politics.Interest in political theology has surged in recent years, and this accessible volume provides a focused overview of the field. Many are asking serious questions about religious faith in secular societies, the origin and function of democratic polities, worldwide economic challenges, the shift of Christianity's center of gravity to the global south, and anxieties related to bold and even violent assertions of theologically determined political ideas. In fourteen original essays, authors examine Christian political theology in order to clarify the contemporary discourse and some of its most important themes and issues. These include up-to-date, critical engagements with historical figures like Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and Immanuel Kant; discussions of how the Bible functions theopolitically; and introductions to key movements such as liberation theology, Catholic social teaching, and radical orthodoxy. An invaluable resource for students and scholars in theology, the Companion will also be beneficial to those in history, philosophy, and politics.