The Desire of the Nations
Rediscovering the Roots of Political Theology

A new treatment of political theology - politically constructive and receptive to Christian tradition.

Oliver O'Donovan (Author)

9780521665162, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 29 July 1999

320 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.7 cm, 0.44 kg

'This is a substantial exercise in 'political theology'. The argument is highly distinctive: it is a defence of the idea 'christendom'. Most of the book is a dense and difficult discussion of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. To his credit he does attempt to grapple with the historical critical method and takes seriously the views of the Biblical scholars. … All libraries will have to purchase this text …'. Theological Book Review

Political theology as we know it today reacts against the attempt to insulate theology from political theory which has generally characterised the modern era. But its own intellectual parentage in the idealist historicism of the nineteenth century has left it still entrammelled in the suspicions and inhibitions from which it has wanted to break free. Oliver O'Donovan contends that to pass beyond suspicion and totalised criticism of politics and to achieve a positive reconstruction of political thought, theology must reach back behind the modern tradition, achieving a fuller, less selective reading of the Scriptures and learning from an older politico-theological discourse which flourished in the patristic, medieval and Reformation periods. Central to that discourse was a series of questions about authority, generated by Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God. This book, now published in paperback, makes an important contribution to contemporary political theology and Christian ethics.

Acknowledgements
Prologue
1. Beyond suspicion
2. The revelation of God's kingship
3. Dual authority and the fulfilling of the time
4. The triumph of the Kingdom
5. The church
6. The obedience of rulers
7. The redemption of society
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index of scriptural references
Index of subjects
Index of names and authors.

Subject Areas: Christian theology [HRCM]