The Christian leaders and theologians of centuries past spoke before congress, served as prime ministers, and advised kings . . . so why are we evangelicals so allergic to doing the same? For too long we have artificially removed political theology from the realm of Christian discipleship, and we have a lot of catching up to do. Yet, before we can make any new contributions, we need to do the reading. This month, we’re diving into the two taboos of the Thanksgiving table: religion and politics. And in doing so, we hope to reintroduce some of the most influential works on Christian political thought, so that God can be glorified not only in the church, but also in the state—with an eye to the whole world!
Table of Contents
Longform
Do the Reading: Selections in Political Theology
By Brad Green • Longform Essay • November 3
A curated survey of ten seminal works in Christian political theology—from Justin Martyr and Augustine to Calvin, Rutherford, and Oliver O’Donovan—highlighting the development of theological reflection on church, state, and authority across the centuries.
Podcast
4.51 Brad Green • Reading • “Do the Reading: Selections in Political Theology”
By Brad Green • Reading • November 3rd
A curated survey of ten seminal works in Christian political theology—from Justin Martyr and Augustine to Calvin, Rutherford, and Oliver O’Donovan—highlighting the development of theological reflection on church, state, and authority across the centuries.
Concise
October Intermission: From Biblical Theology to Political Theology
By David Schrock • Concise Article • November 6
Join us as we transition from the theme of biblical theology to the theme of political theology.
Concise
Calvin’s Political Thought
By David W. Hall • Concise Article • November 7
Explore how John Calvin’s theology shaped modern democracy. This essay by David Hall traces Calvin’s influence on limited government, decentralized authority, and republican liberty—ideas that helped form the foundation of Western political thought.
Concise
Can Christian Politicians Reform the Church? Martin Luther’s Address to the Christian Nobility (1520)
By Nathan Parsons • Concise Article • November 10
Martin Luther was a paradigm-shifting theologian, but his thought did not remain in the ivory tower. Instead, he had much to say about how authority in the civil realm was to be used. Read on as Nathan Parsons expounds Luther's ideas and applies them to our lives today.
Podcast
4.52 Brad Green, David Schrock & Stephen Wellum • Interview • “Do the Reading: Selections in Political Theology”
By Brad Green, David Schrock, & Stephen Wellum • Interview • November 10th
Listen in as David Schrock and Stephen Wellum interview Brad Green on his Longform Essay "Do the Reading: Selections in Political Theology"
Concise
The Political Thought of Charles Hodge
By James Baird • Concise Article • November 12
Who today argues for a "masculine piety in the public square," businesses to be closed on the Sabbath, and distinctly Christian instruction in public schools? Charles Hodge, the great systematic theologian of the nineteenth century.
Concise
The Myth of Neutrality: Carl F.H. Henry’s Case for Prayer in Public School
By Caleb Morell • Concise Article • November 14
We have been told to keep religion out of schools: the Ten Commandments were taken down and prayer was removed. Read on as Caleb Morell draws from Carl F.H. Henry to show that the school is no neutral ground; it will either recognize the authority of Christ or reject it.
Longform
Liberty, Not Separation: The Historic Development of Baptist Perspectives on Church and State
By Marc Minter • Longform Essay • November 17
A historical exploration showing that Baptists long affirmed religious liberty without requiring a separation of church and state, tracing the shift in the 20th century.
Podcast
4.53 Marc Minter • Reading • “Liberty, Not Separation: The Historic Development of Baptist Perspectives on Church and State”
By Marc Minter • Reading • November 17th
A historical exploration showing that Baptists long affirmed religious liberty without requiring a separation of church and state, tracing the shift in the 20th century.
Concise
Encouragement and Admonition from Tocqueville’s Democracy in America
By Chris Brauns • Concise Article • November 19
Few books have left their mark on American Political thinking like Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America. Not allowing de Tocqueville's chronicle of his time in the US to be merely descriptive, read as Chris Brauns shows how Democracy in America offers guidance for us to heed today.
Concise
Tim Keller, Andy Stanley, Francis Collins, and Other Christian Leaders: The Sheep Who Made Friends with the Wolves
By Joshua Parcha • Concise Article • November 21
Have some Christian leaders developed Stockholm Syndrome, identifying with the church's critics against believers? Read on as Joshua Parcha details how John G. West's book Stockholm Syndrome Christainity sheds light on some church leaders' questionable allegiances.
Concise
Machen on Public Education
By Doug Wilson • Concise Article • November 24
A concise, compelling exposition of J. Gresham Machen’s vision for Christian education, liberty, and the urgent need for faithful Christian schools.
Podcast
4.54 Marc Minter, David Schrock & Stephen Wellum • Interview • “Liberty, Not Separation: The Historic Development of Baptist Perspectives on Church and State”
By Marc Minter, David Schrock & Stephen Wellum • Interview • November 24th
Listen in as David Schrock & Stephen Wellum interview Marc Minter on his Longform essay, "Liberty Not Separation: The Historic Development of Baptist Perspectives on Church and State"
Concise
Five Myths Secularism Wants You to Believe About America’s Religious Freedom
By Marc Minter • Concise Article • November 26
Religious freedom in America is often misunderstood as religion having no bearing on the state. But is that what our founders intended? Read on as pastor Marc Minter reviews Steven Douglas Smith's The Rise and Decline of American Religious Freedom, showing how a right understanding of America's history of religious freedom can help guide her future.
Concise
November Intermission: From Political Theology to Christmas Buffets
By David Schrock • Concise Article • December 3
Join us as we transition from the theme of political theology to our Christmas buffet!
Upcoming
What Should You Do If A Protest Shows Up at Your Church?
By Charles Lyons • Concise Article
In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: How Christian Worship Assumes the Trinity
By Bob Letham • Concise Article
God is Love
By Gerald Bray • Concise Article
“Who Has Been His Counselor?” The Omniscience of God
By Michael Pereira • Concise Article
God Is: An Overview of the Doctrine of God
By Kyle Claunch • Longform Essay
God is Supremely Happy: The Blessedness of God
By Stefan Hartsell • Concise Article
God is Himself: Divine Simplicity
By Knox Brown • Concise Article
Do Evangelicals Neglect God? The Doctrine of God Today
By Steve Wellum • Longform Essay
They Will Perish, But You Remain: God is Eternal
By Roberto Martinez • Concise Article
Brad Green • How Do We Talk about God?
By Brad Green • Concise Article
Do East and West Have the Same God?
By Keith Goad • Concise Article
Does God Have Emotions?
By Knox Brown • Concise Article
Look at the Sparrows: The Fatherhood of God
By Jonathan Master • Concise Article
God’s Righteousness is More than Faithfulness
By Ardel Caneday • Concise Article
His Righteousness Endures Forever: Why Hell is Eternal
By Chris Bolt • Concise Article
God is Glorious
By Steve Wellum • Concise Article
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