Political Philosophy
The study of justice, rights, and the proper ordering of society—grounded in transcendent moral foundations.
Theistic Foundations
Theism provides robust foundations for political order. Human dignity, natural law, and limited government all find their grounding in God.
The Declaration of Independence appeals to 'the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God' and to rights endowed by 'the Creator.' This is not mere rhetoric but philosophical foundation.
- Human Dignity: Rights are grounded in creation in God's image—intrinsic worth. Every person has infinite value because every person bears the imago Dei.
- Natural Law: Objective moral order provides standards for evaluating laws. Unjust laws are not truly laws—they lack moral authority.
- Limited Government: God's authority limits state authority—there is law above the state. Rulers are accountable to God, not just to voters.
- Subsidiarity: Higher authorities should not absorb functions that lower authorities can perform. Family, church, and community have their own spheres.
Religion and Public Life
What role should religion play in politics? Secularism claims religion should be private, but this is itself a contested position.
Democracy requires shared moral premises—and these are often religiously grounded. The prophetic voice of religion has been essential for social reform, from abolition to civil rights.
- Public Reason: Can religious arguments be part of public discourse? Wolterstorff, Stout, and others argue yes—religious reasons are legitimate.
- Moral Consensus: Democracy requires shared moral premises—often religiously grounded. Secular liberalism cannot generate its own moral foundations.
- Prophetic Voice: Religion provides resources for critiquing injustice. King's 'Letter from Birmingham Jail' appeals to natural law and divine justice.
- Religious Liberty: Freedom of religion is the first freedom—the foundation of all other liberties. It recognizes that the state is not ultimate.
Related Papers
1 paper in Political Philosophy
Communist Theology as Anti-Christ: A Theological Analysis
A rigorous theological analysis arguing that communism, understood not as an economic system but as an abstract theological template, constitutes the most comprehensive anti-Christ structure in histor...