Faith and Politics in Iran, Israel, and the Islamic State
Theologies of the Real

Considers political theologies formulated in Iran and Israel over the course of the twentieth century.

Ori Goldberg (Author)

9781107115675, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 December 2017

206 pages
23.5 x 15.6 x 1.6 cm, 0.42 kg

'Through an innovative approach to the role of faith in politics, this volume considers political theologies of the real formulated during the twentieth century and proposes that, while religion in the West has been committed to absolutist vision, these theologies have drawn their strength from a commitment to their concrete, divinely infused reality.' Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology

Religious faith has been gaining in reach and influence throughout global politics over the last three decades, most prominently in the Middle East, and theologies of this nature are based on the understanding that faith in God is to be based, primarily and predominantly, on the realness of God's presence. The West, accustomed to its own discussion on religion and politics emphasising democracy and individual freedoms, has been at a loss to explain and engage these rising religious polities. Through an innovative approach to the role of faith in politics, Faith and Politics in Iran, Israel, and the Islamic State considers political theologies of the real formulated during the twentieth century and proposes that, while religion in the West has been committed to absolutist vision, these theologies have drawn their strength from a commitment to their concrete, divinely infused reality.

Introduction: religion as a political problem
Part I. The Crisis of the Real: 1. Khomeini at the end of the Iran-Iraq War: the necessity and frustration of faith
Part II. The Subverting Real: Mediating Absolute Perfections: 2. Sharon's speech: the first Israeli narrative: the straight lines of leadership and time
3. The settler narrative: sovereignty as faith: redemption and the expansion of the real
4. Gershon Hacohen's theology of the real: subversive mediation
Part III. The Urgency of the Real: 5. ISIS and the establishment of the caliphate: redemption and hollowness.

Subject Areas: Comparative politics [JPB], Middle Eastern history [HBJF1]