Politics, Theology and History

This book examines the moral foundations of liberal societies through the role of Christian belief in public policy.

Raymond Plant (Author)

9780521433204, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 15 January 2001

398 pages
21.6 x 14 x 2.5 cm, 0.54 kg

'[an] original and important book …' Studies in Christian Ethics

Politics, Theology and History is a major book by a prominent academic and an active politician. It ranges widely across the disciplines of theology, political theory and philosophy and poses acute questions about the basic moral foundations of liberal societies. Lord Plant focuses on the role that religious belief can and ought to play in argument about public policy in a pluralistic society. He examines the potential political implications of Christian belief and the ways in which it may be deployed in political debate. The book discusses the place of religious belief in the formation of policy and asks what issues in modern society might be the legitimate objects of a Christian social and political concern. This important study of the relationship between religion and politics will be of value to students, academics, politicians, church professionals, policy makers and all concerned with the moral fabric of contemporary life.

1. Liberal society and political theology
Part I. The Possibility of Political Theology: 2. Theology and politics: context, community and prophecy
3. God, history and political theology
4. Totality, finitude and history
5. Narratives and foundations
6. Natural law and natural order
Part II. The Site of Political Theology: Introduction
7. Markets, morality and theology
8. Social justice, freedom and the common good
9. Human rights, human dignity and the scope of responsibility
10. Self and community
Part III. Liberalism, Religion and Social Unity: 11. Policy and pluralism
12. The civil community, the religious community and the unity of society.

Subject Areas: Religion: general [HRA], History: theory & methods [HBA]