Faith and Politics - “Political Theology” with Luke Bretherton

As we kick off a new season of The Weight, we want to take a deeper dive into important topics that the Church should be discussing. We begin with a series on Faith & Politics that will engage multiple perspectives on the role that politics plays in the Christian life.

It goes without saying that political discourse is taboo in many pockets of the Christian Church. Even as this taboo remains prevalent, there does seem to be an increasing awareness in a hyper connected world of how political realities can impact the livelihoods of the neighbors we are called to love. Having been compelled by such awareness, how can Christians develop a vision of how to faithfully engage with democracy?

Joining us to talk about this is Luke Bretherton, Robert E. Cushman Professor of Moral and Political Theology and senior fellow of the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University. A scholar of Christian ethics and moral theology, he is the author of multiple books on these topics including “Christ and the Common Life: Political Theology and the Case for Democracy.” Originally from Britain, he earned his Ph.D from the University of London and taught at King’s College before taking his appointment at Duke.

Bretherton joins Chris and Eddie to think more deeply about what Christian engagement with democracy can look like by looking to history, scripture, and theology. They discuss how politics are an intrinsic part of our daily lives that manifest not just in DC, but in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and communities. This conversation helps us consider not just what a more holistic understanding of politics can do for Christians, but how the Church can recognize and take ownership of what it has to offer to democracy. 

Resources:

Learn more about Dr. Bretherton at his Duke University scholar profile

Check out Dr. Bretherton’s written works, including “Christ and the Common Life”

Follow Dr. Bretherton on Twitter