Political Theology

Calvinists, among the various Protestant traditions, probably have a more acute or even astute understanding of the moral importance of power, even more of a comfort with the idea of power versus the Baptists or others.

In this sense it is proper to pursue such proximate goals as expressions of Christian duty. Christianity should not be utilitarian, but it must be practical.

In religion, to which we want to direct our attention, the growth of the utilitarian spirit is an alarming phenomenon. Utilitarianism seems to mark not only the attitude of the political powers that use religion for the sake of social control and transform it to suit their purposes, but also the attitude of many who oppose them.

In The Tyranny of Merit: What’s Become of the Common Good? Michael Sandel eloquently argues a sobering idea: America can pursue meritocracy or the common good, but not both.

This week the editors discuss Mark Tooley’s conversation with Eric Nelson about his book “The Theology of Liberalism: Political Philosophy and the Justice of God.” They also cover a 1946 article about Americans’ post-World War II anxieties and Eric Patterson’s editorial about Memorial Day.

Today we’re covering three scintillating pieces from Providence this week, one on the Israel and Hamas conflict, another on a new book about the Iraq War, and thirdly, one by yours truly on the New Whiggery.

Even now, months past, our nation remains in peril. While America banded together in unity after September 11, we are today in the throes of disunion.

In this episode of True North, Daniel Strand and Marc LiVecche speak with Elbridge Colby to discuss his recent National Interest essay, “Interest, Not Values Should Guide America’s China Strategy.”

Christians must advocate religious liberty not just for themselves, Walker argues, but “with the conviction that true freedom means allowing fellow citizens… to freely exercise their beliefs with dignity.”