Christianity and Democracy
A Theology for a Just World Order

Important study of the relationship between Christian theology and the development of democracy.

John W. de Gruchy (Author)

9780521458412, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 1 June 1995

312 pages
21.5 x 13.6 x 1.9 cm, 0.371 kg

' A lucid and well-argued case for anchoring the vision of democracy in the prophetic vision of a just society ... I commend this book to all and sundry.' John S. Pobee, Chairman of the World Council of Churches, Geneva

The need for global democratisation is now widely recognised, but there is considerable debate about what this means and how it can be achieved. In this important study John de Gruchy examines the historic and contemporary roles of Christianity in the development of democracy. He traces the gestation of modern democracy in medieval Christendom, and then describes the virtual breakdown of the relationship as democracy becomes the polity of modernity. Five twentieth-century case studies - the USA, Nicaragua, sub-Saharan Africa, Germany and South Africa - demonstrate the extent to which ecumenical Christianity has begun to reconnect with democracy and act as its contemporary midwife. De Gruchy argues that democracy needs to rediscover its spiritual heritage, while Christianity needs to develop a theology adequate for its participation in the realisation of a just democratic world order.

Introduction
Part I. The System and the Vision: 1. Democracy: an open-ended tradition
2. The prophetic vision
Part II. Historical and Theological Connections: 3. The Christian matrix
4. The polity of modernity
Part III. Churches and the Struggle for Democracy: 5. Civil rights and liberation in the Americas
6. The post-colonial struggle for democracy in sub-Saharan Africa
7. Midwives of democracy in East Germany and South Africa
Part IV. Critical Theological Reflection: 8. A theology for a just democratic world order.

Subject Areas: Christian theology [HRCM]