Brad Littlejohn joins Peter Leithart and James Wood to discuss two kingdoms, Christian Nationalism, and Christian commonwealths. They explore post-liberalism, the role of the church in societal renewal, and the Protestant perspective on the common good and nationalism. The conversation delves into regulating speech, virtue, and soulcraft in the state, the boundaries of nations and empires, and the church's advisory role in matters of public witness and state consultation.
Nations cultivate community through shared bonds, while empires rely on central authority for unity.
The church's multi-ethnic community transcends nationalistic identities, emphasizing shared humanity.
The church promotes ethical conduct among nations, guiding towards harmonious international relations.
Deep dives
Defining Nations and Empires
A nation is considered an imagined community that requires significant imagination but is grounded in shared customs, laws, religious beliefs, and experiences. In contrast, an empire is structured around the rule of a central authority without the necessity of shared values or experiences among the governed. The differentiation lies in the depth of shared bonds and community that nations aim to foster compared to the authority-centric unity of empires.
Church as Disruptive to Nationhood
The presence of a multi-ethnic and multi-racial communion within a Christian church challenges the traditional boundaries of nationhood. The interconnectedness of diverse individuals under a faith community transcends nationalistic identities and emphasizes a shared humanity beyond geopolitical divisions. This presence of a universal brotherhood within the church disrupts narrow nationalistic concepts and encourages solidarity across traditional borders.
Church's Influence on National Sovereignty
The church's advocacy for ethical and just conduct by nations within an international order is pivotal in fostering peaceful relations. By emphasizing values of integrity and moral reasoning derived from Christian principles, the church contributes to harmonious interactions between independent nations. It acts as a moral compass guiding nations to acknowledge each other's sovereignty while upholding shared values that transcend mere national self-interest.
Church's Role in Justifying State Actions
In situations where neighboring Christian nations are on the brink of conflict, the church advocates for a thorough justification of war by political authorities. The presence of a multi-ethnic and multi-racial church community within nation-states calls for humility and contextual understanding when addressing potential conflicts. The church's position challenges political authorities to provide compelling justifications rooted in ethical considerations to prevent unjust wars and encourage reasoned diplomacy.
Nationalism and the Influence of the Church
The influence of Christian principles in shaping the international order of nations highlights the role of the church in promoting unity and cooperation across borders. The church's embrace of multi-ethnicity and the recognition of shared humanity among nations contributes to a broader understanding of communal relationships beyond nationalistic boundaries. By fostering values of peace, respect, and mutual recognition, the church acts as a unifying force amidst diverse national identities within the global context.
Peter Leithart and James Wood are joined by Brad Littlejohn to discuss two kingdoms, Christian Nationalism, and Christian commonwealths. ____ About Brad Littlejohn:
Brad Littlejohn, Ph.D., is a Fellow in EPPC’s Evangelicals in Civic Life Program, where his work focuses on helping public leaders understand the intellectual and historical foundations of our current breakdown of public trust, social cohesion, and sound governance. His research investigates shifting understandings of the nature of freedom and authority, and how a more full-orbed conception of freedom, rooted in the Christian tradition, can inform policy that respects both the dignity of the individual and the urgency of the common good. He also serves as President of the Davenant Institute
A scholar and writer in the fields of Christian ethics, historical theology, and conservative political thought, he earned his PhD in Theological Ethics at the University of Edinburgh in 2014, where he studied the relationship of freedom and authority in the English Reformation. He is the author of The Peril and Promise of Christian Liberty and The Two Kingdoms: A Guide for the Perplexed, among other books, as well as numerous peer-reviewed and popular-level articles and book chapters on topics ranging from freedom of conscience to the nature of property rights to the moral architecture of digital technology
In 2013 he founded the Davenant Institute, an organization dedicated to retrieving and renewing the Protestant theological and ethical tradition, and frequently writes, speaks, and teaches for their publications, conferences, and courses. He has also taught at Moody Bible Institute and Patrick Henry College, and served as Headmaster of Loudoun Classical School
He formerly worked as a Senior Fellow of the Edmund Burke Foundation as lead author on multi-year project entitled “Foundations of Liberty: Rediscovering the Anglo-American Conservative Tradition.” His essays arising out of this research have appeared in journals such as National Affairs, American Affairs, The American Conservative, First Things, and Modern Age.
He is also a weekly Opinion Contributor at WORLDMagazine, and publishes regularly on questions of Christian ethics and political theology for outlets such as The Gospel Coalition, American Reformer, Desiring God, and Mere Orthodoxy.
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