
Liberalism forms the dominant political ideology of the modern world, but despite its pervasive influence, this is the first book-length treatment of liberal political thought from a Christian theological perspective. Song discusses the different aspects and interpretations of liberalism with reference to the critiques of three twentieth-century theologians: the American Protestant Reinhold Niebuhr on the liberal progressivist philosophy of history; the lesser-known Canadian George Grant on the threat of technology to fundamental liberal values, as articulated in the recent work of John Rawls; and the French Thomist Jacques Maritain on the defence of political pluralism. Further to this, Song explores the implications of this political theology for the issues in fundamental constitutional theory raised by a bill of rights and judicial review of legislation, and concludes with an account of the critical but supportive stance of liberalism Christian theology should take.
This book investigates the compatibility and tension between modern liberal political ideology and Christian theological frameworks. Robert Song, a scholar of theological ethics, utilizes the work of three twentieth-century thinkers to construct a critical assessment of liberal progressivism, technological influence, and political pluralism. He argues for a nuanced, critical, yet supportive engagement between Christian theology and the foundational structures of liberal society.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars and theologians recognize this work as a foundational text for those examining the intersection of political theory and Christian ethics. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose and the rigorous nature of the theological arguments presented.
Page Count:
264
Publication Date:
2006-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press, Usa
ISBN-10:
0191513512
ISBN-13:
9780191513510
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