Political Theology

Georgetown backdrop

Political Theology

Original Illustration from Thomas Hobbe's Leviathan

Throughout history, theological concepts across religious traditions have been used to legitimate political systems, actions, and stances. These resources examine how religious beliefs and principles motivate specific political action. In particular, they explore historic and contemporary understandings of political engagement in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Our Experts

David Hollenbach

Senior Fellow
Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Michael Kessler

Executive Director
Department of Government and Georgetown Law

Political Theology A-Z Subtopics

Narrow your search for Political Theology content by selecting from this list of subtopics

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Blasphemy Subtopic

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Caliphate Subtopic

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Sacred Texts Subtopic

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Theological Perspectives Subtopic

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Blasphemy Subtopic

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Caliphate Subtopic

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Hebrew Bible Subtopic

Historical Perspectives Subtopic

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Jihad Subtopic

Just War Tradition Subtopic

Justice Subtopic

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Law Subtopic

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New Testament Subtopic

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Politics (Foreign) Subtopic

Politics (U.S.) Subtopic

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Theological Perspectives Subtopic

Publications

Article November 2, 2021

Islam and the Secular

In this book chapter, Senior Fellow Jocelyne Cesari focuses on Islam and highlights the significant historical episodes that have shaped the current relations between religion and the secular, suggesting the key role of the nation-state in shaping religious and political dynamics today.

Other Publications

Article April 23, 2021

Political Islam: More than Islamism

Lesson Plan February 1, 2021

Islam as a Political Force

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Events

Neon red cross on a hilltop, overlooking a city at nighttime.

May
17

2023

The Godless Crusade

12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT Berkley Center

Mar
16

2023

Christian Nationalism and the Borders of Political Community

Oct
26

2022

8th Annual Costan Lecture in Early Christianity by James Keenan, SJ

Nov
9

2021

7th Annual Costan Lecture in Early Christianity by Columba Stewart, OSB

Nov
23

2020

Values as a Key Component of Good Governance: The Islamic Case

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Blog Posts

The Republic of Moldova is Not Ukraine: Addressing the Question of Autocephaly in Moldova

March 13, 2023

The Republic of Moldova is Not Ukraine: Addressing the Question of Autocephaly in Moldova

Tatiana Cojocari addresses the question of the autocephaly of the Orthodox church in Moldova in the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Exterior view of St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow

August 19, 2021

Russian Orthodoxy and Nationhood in the Age of COVID-19

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected relations between the Russian state and the Orthodox Church? In what ways does the history of religion and nationhood in Russia inform church and state approaches to the pandemic?

Steeple of a Baptist church

April 22, 2021

The Future of U.S. Evangelical Christianity

What might recent controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention suggest about the future of U.S. evangelical Christianity? What theological, biblical, or ethical resources could inspire a more inclusive or prophetic evangelicalism going forward?

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Videos

May 17, 2023

The Godless Crusade (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 3 minutes

March 16, 2023

Christian Nationalism and the Borders of Political Community (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 3 minutes

October 26, 2022

8th Annual Costan Lecture in Early Christianity by James Keenan, SJ (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 7 minutes

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