Welcome to the new series from SCM, Christian Political Action. This is a series of podcasts, blogs and resources designed to equip you with the tools you need to discern what it means to be a politically active and engaged Christian. The series will explore everything from democracy to political parties, trade unions to mutual aid, political theology to non-violent direct action. The series includes a weekly podcast episode and accompanying blog with contributions from activists, theologians, and students. The first podcast episode was with Rev. Dr. Doug Gay, a minister in the Church of Scotland and senior lecturer at the University of Glasgow. You can listen to this episode here or search for “Student Christian Movement Podcast” wherever you listen to podcasts.
In this first episode I speak to Doug about political theology, its history, and implications for today, and Doug highlights two different understandings of political theology. First, the political dimensions of theology and the Church, which recognises that there are no politically neutral forms of theology. All theology is formed by its historical, economic, geographical, ethnic, and gendered context. Therefore, to think of political theology is to wrestle with the theological implications of these specific contexts, as is done by the likes of liberation and feminist theology. Second, political theology involves reflecting theologically on the meaning of political concepts, bringing the doctrines, beliefs, and dogma of the Church into dialogue with the basic concepts of political theory. For example, when we talk about the concept of “the people” in the context of democracy, who are we referring to and how does the concept of the imago dei influence this understanding? When we talk about sovereignty, how does our understanding of God’s sovereignty shape and challenge our thinking on this?
A common criticism of the Church seen in online discussions and popular culture is that the Church should stay out of politics, it should stick to the business of saving souls and filling pews on a Sunday. When we see the attempts of white American Christian nationalists to bring about a form of Christo-fascism we may even have sympathy for this view. Yet, we also see a rich tradition of liberating forms of political action and involvement inspired by people’s faith throughout history. If we are honest, it is clear that faith and politics are intertwined, our faith forms us in our ethics, morals, and values for good or for ill and as such it influences our politics. The same is true of those without a faith, their personal experiences, morals and values influence their politics. The question then is not whether religion should influence individual’s politics but rather, as Doug says in the podcast, is it good religion and good politics.
Just this week Wes Streeting was asked by Trevor Philips of Sky News to comment on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s condemnation of the two-child benefit cap. Trevor asked “is this really his business? Shouldn’t he be focusing on getting people into Church this morning rather than writing welfare policy?” Whatever you think of his politics, Streeting’s response was excellent, stating that the archbishop’s job “is to signal virtue. If the mission of the church is not to alleviate poverty and suffering, I don't know what is.” There are political implications to our theology whether we admit it or not. The question remains does our theology produce a political witness which serves, loves, and cares for the marginalised, poor, and weak; or does it further the interests of power, oppression, and domination? Does our theology produce a culture of democracy, equality, and tolerance; or authoritarianism, bigotry, and discrimination? When we act as if our faith is apolitical then we will inevitably adopt the politics of those in spiritual leadership or the politics of the dominant culture. Jesus calls us to take sides, to stand with the poor, marginalised, and oppressed; to call rich young rulers to give up their wealth and follow him; to tell parables of good Samaritans, camels and needles, mustard seeds, and the Kingdom of heaven. As we discern what these parables look like when they are lived out we need the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and we pray that as this series continues you will sense that guidance in the ways God is calling you to act.