Why Do We Need Political Theology?
“The question you might be asking…is why on earth do we need political theology?” This was the question Dr. Daniel Lee Hill posed to participants during our first Beyond Voting webinar. Why would this topic that sounds like a niche academic discipline matter to Christians? The answers show why understanding political theology is not only beneficial, but essential, to Christian life.
But first, a definition
The term political theology is a combination of two terms. First, we can understand politics or political as the art and science of living together and forming a common life. Second, theology is the attempt to talk about God and all things in relation to Him.
Put together, political theology is the understanding of how nations and other public groups build a common life and pursue common good in relationship to God and His works throughout history.
So, why should Christians care about political theology?
Political theology is not just a niche topic or academic discipline. With its focus on common life, political theology helps us understand how we live with and relate to Christians and non-Christians alike. With this in mind, understanding political theology has five different implications for Christian life.
It helps us build an intentional theology
Everyone has an operational political theology, even if it has not been intentionally formed. This can be seen by the way we expect the world around us to work or by our reaction to a story on the news. When formed unintentionally, political theology can begin to draw on claims of what is true or good that lie outside of Christian teaching. Intentionally forming a political theology allows us to be guided by what is truly good and ultimate within Christianity.
It helps us practice self-examination
God has told us through his word what is good. Yet, we can find ourselves defining what is good based on the world around us. Political theology allows us to critically submit ourselves to the word of God, ensuring that our views come from scripture and not the world around us.
It helps us reorient during times of crisis
Crisis by definition is disorienting. The Church has always existed in a time where sin and death reign; where what we build can unravel; and where the state can refuse to hear truth or recognize its task to serve people. Political theology reorients us in these times of crisis and reminds us of God’s coming kingdom.
It helps us know when (and how) to use our prophetic voice
Understanding political theology helps us identify the things we or others love, value, or cling to that we shouldn’t. In Christianity, that disordered love is known as idolatry. Worshipping idols is not only a self-destructive practice but is also harmful to others. We do not call out idols to feel better about ourselves or look down upon others, but to help people come into right relationship with God and each other.
It helps us proclaim the Gospel
The Gospel we proclaim is that of a King announcing his Kingdom and a Lord who is Lord over all. These are political terms. Recognizing this helps us understand the reality of the Kingdom. When we profess that Jesus is Lord, we identify that his Kingdom is ultimate over all others in the world.
Additional Resources
To learn more about political theology, check out these resources recommended by Dr. Hill:
Mortal Goods: Reimagining Christian Political Duty by Ephraim Radner
Christ and the Common Life: Political Theology and the Case for Democracy by Luke Bretherton
On Social Justice by St. Basil the Great
This article builds on information from Dr. Daniel Lee Hill’s presentation in Part 1 of the Beyond Voting webinar series.
