Theology, Political Theory, and Pluralism
Beyond Tolerance and Difference

Kristen Deede Johnson explores how we can live together in the midst of our differences.

Kristen Deede Johnson (Author)

9780521870030, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 25 January 2007

292 pages
23.5 x 15.8 x 2.6 cm, 0.606 kg

'In sum, this book stands alone as an impressive achievement in thinking Christianly about political theory, a notoriously confusing and contested area of study.' Wesley Vander Lugt, University of St Andrews

How can we live together in the midst of our differences? This is one of the most pressing questions of our time. Tolerance has been the bedrock of political liberalism, while proponents of agonistic political thought and radical democracy have sought an answer that allows a deeper celebration of difference. Kristen Deede Johnson describes the move from tolerance to difference, and the accompanying move from epistemology to ontology, within political theory. Building on this 'ontological turn', in search of a theological answer to the question, she puts Augustine into conversation with recent political theorists and theologians. This theological option enables the Church to envision a way to engage with contemporary political society without losing its own embodied story and practices. It contributes to our broader political imagination by offering a picture of rich engagement between the many different particularities that constitute a pluralist society.

1. Introduction
2. The recent journey of liberal tolerance
3. Beyond tolerance to difference
4. Augustine and the theological turn
5. Towards a theology of public conversation
6. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Social theory [JHBA], History of ideas [JFCX], Christian theology [HRCM], Religion & beliefs [HR], Social & political philosophy [HPS]