A Theology of Public Life

Charles T. Mathewes explores the religious benefits and challenges of public engagement for Christian believers.

Charles T. Mathewes (Author)

9780521832267, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 August 2007

384 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm, 0.73 kg

'Matthewes's theology of engagement is masterly … moments of delightful humour … It deserves attention from scholars and Christian activists alike but, in the end, it is a manifesto for the church …' Ecclesiology

What has Washington to do with Jerusalem? In the raging debates about the relationship between religion and politics, no one has explored the religious benefits and challenges of public engagement for Christian believers - until now. This book defends and details Christian believers' engagement in contemporary pluralistic public life not from the perspective of some neutral 'public', but from the particular perspective of Christian faith, arguing that such engagement enriches both public life and Christian citizens' faith themselves. As such it offers not a 'public theology', but a 'theology of public life', analysing the promise and perils of Christian public engagement, discussing the nature of civic commitment and prophetic critique, and the relation of a loving faith to a liberal politics of justice. Theologically rich, philosophically rigorous, politically, historically and sociologically informed, this book advances contemporary discussion of 'religion and public life' in fundamental ways.

Introduction: life in the epilogue, during the world
Part I. A Theology of Engagement: Introduction
1. Life before God
2. Life in the world
3. Life together
Part II. The Liturgy of Citizenship: Introduction
4. Faithful citizenship
5. Hopeful citizenship
6. Charitable citizenship
Conclusion: The republic of grace
or, the public ramifications of heaven.

Subject Areas: Sociology [JHB], Christian theology [HRCM], Religion & politics [HRAM2], Philosophy of religion [HRAB]