Calvin's Political Theology and the Public Engagement of the Church

In Calvin's Political Theology and the Public Engagement of the Church, Matthew J. Tuininga explores a little appreciated dimension of John Calvin's political thought, his two kingdoms theology, as a model for constructive Christian participation in liberal society. Widely misunderstood as a proto-political culture warrior, due in part to his often misinterpreted role in controversies over predestination and the heretic Servetus, Calvin articulated a thoughtful approach to public life rooted in his understanding of the gospel and its teaching concerning the kingdom of God. He staked his ministry in Geneva on his commitment to keeping the church distinct from the state, abandoning simplistic approaches that placed one above the other, while rejecting the temptations of sectarianism or separatism. This revealing analysis of Calvin's vision offers timely guidance for Christians seeking a mode of faithful, respectful public engagement in democratic, pluralistic communities today.

Author: Matthew J. Tuininga
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 05/10/2018
Pages: 400
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.18lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.82d
ISBN: 9781316622346

About the Author
Tuininga, Matthew J.: - Matthew J. Tuininga gained his Ph.D. in Religion, Ethics and Society from Emory University, Atlanta and is the Assistant Professor of Moral Theology at Calvin Theological Seminary, Michigan. He formerly taught politics and core studies at Oglethorpe University, Georgia, and he has also taught at Emory University and at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. He previously worked as a congressional aide in Washington DC and as a counterterrorism intelligence analyst for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.