Christian Political Theology in an Age of Discontent

At a moment in which interest in political theology is rising, acceptance of a public role for religion is declining, and cynicism regarding both political and religious institutions is overflowing, this book investigates the possibilities and constraints of a Christian political theology that can meaningfully mediate Scripture, doctrine, and political reality. In critical dialogue with political theologians and political philosophers past and present, we explore the origins, meaning, and purpose of Christian political theology in an age of growing discontent with the once-impregnable liberal democratic order of yesteryear. Approaching politics as both art and science, this book lays a challenge at the feet of political theologians to offer a theological account of politics that is genuinely illuminating of political reality and efficacious for the faithful who seek to operate within it. Jonathan Cole offers a powerful and fresh account of the importance and indispensability of political theology. Cole challenges simplistic notions of what it means to do political theology and he argues that it is time for political theology to grow up and become a real discipline. The essays in this book offer a creative, illuminating, and stimulating account of the issues and challenges facing political theology today. A major contribution from a formidable and exciting scholar.--Stephen Pickard, Director, Centre for Public and Contextual Theology, Charles Sturt UniversityJonathan Cole is a research fellow of the Centre for Public and Contextual Theology, Charles Sturt University, Canberra, Australia. He is the director of AIOCS Press, a contributing editor to The New Polis, and a lecturer at the Lachlan Macquarie Institute. He previously spent fourteen years working for the Australian government in a range of departments and agencies, including as a senior terrorism analyst at the Office of National Assessments (2010-14).