The Blackwell Companion to Political Theology

Written by a team of international experts, this Companion provides the first comprehensive survey and interpretation of contemporary Christian political theology. The Companion comprises 35 freshly commissioned essays that embody the best current thinking in the field. These essays: explore the political aspects of Christian sources such as scripture and liturgy consider the interface of theology with political ideologies, including the contribution of theology to feminist, ecological, black, and pacifist movements assess the contribution of major political theologians and theological movements indicate how central Christian doctrines such as the Trinity and atonement have politics embedded within them show how theology impacts upon present–day political issues. The contributors are drawn from various traditions of political theology, but all of them demonstrate that Christian theology is inherently political, and that politics is properly illuminated by Christian perspectives.

Contributors. Introduction. Part I: Traditioned Resources: Scripture, Traditions, Liturgy: . 1. Scripture: Old Testament: Walter Brueggemann (Columbia Theological Seminary). 2. Scripture: New Testament: Christopher Rowland (Queen′s College, Oxford). 3. Augustine: Jean Bethke Elshtain (University of Chicago). 4. Aquinas: Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt (Loyola College in Maryland). 5. The Reformation: Andrew Bradstock (United Reformed Church). 6. Liturgy: Bernd Wannenwetsch (Harris Manchester College). Part II: Political Theologies: Survey:. 7. Eastern Orthodox Thought: Michael Plekon (City University, New York). 8. Carl Schmitt: Michael Hollerich (University of St Thomas). 9. Karl Barth: Haddon Willmer (University of Leeds). 10. Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Stanley Hauerwas (Duke Divinity School). 11. John Courtney Murray: Michael J. Baxter (University of Notre Dame). 12. William Temple: Alan M. Suggate (University of Durham). 13. Reinhold Niebuhr: William Werpehowski (Villanova University). 14. Feminist Theology, Southern: Kwok Pui–Lan (Epicopal Divinity School, Cambridge). 15. Feminist Theology, Northern: Elaine Graham (University of Manchester). 16. Jürgen Moltmann: Nicholas Adams (University of Edinburgh). 17. Johann Baptist Metz: J. Matthew Ashley (University of Notre Dame). 18. Political Theologies in Asia: Aloysius Pieris (Tulana Research Centre, Sri Lanka). 19. Black Political Theologies: M. Shawn Copeland (Marquette University). 20. Gustavo Gutiérrez: Roberto S. Goizueta (Boston College). 21. Stanley Hauerwas: R.R. Reno (Creighton University). Part III: Constructive Political Theology:. 22. Trinity: Kathryn Tanner (University of Chicago). 23. Creation: Peter Scott (University of Manchester). 24. Christology: Raymund Schwager (Institute fur Systematiche Theologie, Austria). 25. Atonement: Timothy J. Gorringe (University of Exeter). 26. Spirit: Mark Lewis Taylor (Princeton Theological Seminary). 27. Church: William T. Cavanaugh (University of St Thomas). 28. Eschatology: Robert W. Jenson (Centre of Theological Inquiry, Princeton). Part IV: Structures And Movements:. 29. State And Civil Society: Daniel M. Bell, Jr. (Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary). 30. Democracy: John W. de Gruchy (University of Cape Town). 31. Critical Theory: Marsha Aileen Hewitt (Trinity College, Toronto). 32. Postmodernism: Catherine Pickstock (Emmanuel College, Cambridge). 33. Globalization: Peter Sedgwick (UK). Part V: Perspectives:. 34. The Islamic Quest For Sociopolitical Justice: Bustami Mohamed Khir (University of Birmingham). 35. Abrahamic Theo–Politics: A Jewish View: Peter Ochs (University of Virginia). Index of Names and Subjects. Index of Biblical References.

Peter M. Scott is Senior Lecturer in Christian Social Thought and Director of the Lincoln Theological Institute at the University of Manchester, UK. He is the author of Theology, Ideology and Liberation (1994) and A Political Theology of Nature (2003). He is a member of the Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton and the Manchester Centre for Public Theology, and is a director of the Manchester Research Institute for Religion and Civil Society. William T. Cavanaugh is Associate Professor of Theology at the University of St Thomas in St Paul, Minnesota, USA. He is the author of Torture and Eucharist (Blackwell, 1998) and Theopolitical Imagination (2003).

"Just when I was beginning to think that there are too many companion volumes in the world, I have read one that is pure delight. Political theology is a hot topic, and this book is required reading for it ... It is a book of books." Stephen H. Webb, Wabash College, Indiana "An excellent resource for both teaching and research, this anthology is recommended for every theology library." Daniel J. Kuntz, Brescia University, Owensboro “This is a very important, pioneering book, full of scintillating arguments and fresh insights. It is likely to redefine political theology for a new generation, and arouse a great deal of useful and vigorous debate. It will be an indispensible stimulus and resource for students and scholars concerned with the bearing of Christian theology on the political and public sphere.” Duncan Forrester, University of Edinburgh “The strength of the collection lies in part two, a state–of–the–art summary of political theologies. The usefulness of companion, suitable for seminary libraries, is enhanced by an index of names and subjects and an index of biblical references.” Timothy D. Lincoln Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary