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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 headshot

Shaun Casey

Director
Walsh School of Foreign Service

David Hollenbach headshot

David Hollenbach

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

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Michael Kessler

Managing Director
Department of Government and Law Center

Political Theology A-Z Subtopics

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Publications

Article April 23, 2021

Political Islam: More than Islamism

In this editorial for "Religions," Senior Fellow Jocelyne Cesari argues that political Islam entails multiple forms of Islamic governance and is thus broader and more complex than Islamism, which refers to Islamic political parties

Other Publications

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Events

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Blog Posts

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?
Ebenezer Baptist Church sign

April 8, 2021

The Black Church in American Public Life

How do lessons from the history of Black churches resonate today, a moment marked by public discourse on racial justice, the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, and a resurgence of white Christian nationalism? What historical and contemporary roles do women play in Black churches?
Yard of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria

March 24, 2021

Religious and Sectarian Identity in Syria

What roles do religious differences play in the ongoing Syrian Civil War? How can the history of colonialism and state-formation in Syria help to contextualize the conflict? What are some lessons learned about the relationship between religion and politics after 10 years of conflict in Syria?

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Videos

November 23, 2020

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

Duration: 1 hours 0 minutes

November 5, 2020

Indian and Western Varieties of Secularism (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 19 minutes

October 14, 2020

Iran's Shia Diplomacy (Video)

Duration: 1 hours 4 minutes

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