Political Theology

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

Shaun Casey

Director
Walsh School of Foreign Service

David Hollenbach

Senior Fellow
Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Theology

Michael Kessler

Managing Director
Department of Government and Law Center

Political Theology A-Z Subtopics

Narrow your search for Religion and Development content by selecting from this list of subtopics

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Publications

Book February 8, 2018

Pope Francis as a Global Actor: Where Politics and Theology Meet

The chapters in this volume ask what difference it makes that Pope Francis is the first pope from Latin America, how and why different countries in the world respond to him, and how his understanding of scripture informs his ideas on economic, social, and environmental policy.

Other Publications

Book April 1, 2016

Christianity and Freedom: Historical Perspectives (Vol. 1)

Book May 28, 2013

Political Theology for a Plural Age

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Events

Political Theologies: Past, Present, and Future

Oct
15

2008

Political Theologies: Past, Present, and Future

Apr
7

2009

The Making of a Catholic President

Nov
7

2005

Machiavelli's God

Jan
28

2020

Defenders of the Faith?

Jan
23

2020

Christians in American Public Life

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Blog Posts

January 27, 2020

National Populism and Christian Symbolism: A Conversation with Tobias Cremer

The Berkley Forum sat down with Visiting Researcher Tobias Cremer to discuss the ambiguous relationship between Christianity and national populist movements in the United States and Western Europe.

January 13, 2020

Islamic Soft Power in the U.S.-Iran Crisis: A Conversation with Peter Mandaville

The Berkley Forum sat down with Senior Research Fellow Peter Mandaville, director of the Berkley Center’s Geopolitics of Religious Soft Power Project, to discuss tensions between Iran and the United States in the broader context of religion and politics in the Middle East.

Moscow skyline with spires of an Orthodox church

December 18, 2019

The Culture Wars Today

Who are the actors of contemporary culture wars in the United States and Europe? What do participants in the global culture wars hope to accomplish? How might conservative norm mobilization affect the United States, Europe, and Russia?

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Videos

April 7, 2009

The Making of a Catholic President (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 4 minutes

January 29, 2009

Brooks, Dionne, and Tippett Discuss the Legacy of Reinhold Niebuhr & the Future of Christian Realism (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 20 minutes

October 15, 2008

Political Theologies: Past, Present, and Future (Keynote featuring Mark Lilla & John Milbank) (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 21 minutes

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