Political theology explores the relationship between faith and politics. It dates back to Plato and Panaetius and has been debated by thinkers such as Machiavelli, Rousseau, Peterson, and Schmitt. Schmitt’s theory of sovereignty, which excludes morals and ethics, became the justification for Nazi Germany. Metz’s political theology is rooted in Marxist/Socialist thought and critiques bourgeois Christianity, promoting orthopraxy as the cornerstone of Christianity.
Political theology is a branch of philosophy and political theology that examines the juxtaposition of faith and politics. Although most associated with the work of the German theologian Johann Baptist Metz, the discussion of ethics and morality within society can be traced back to the Greek philosophers, Plato and Panaetius. Plato’s tripartite theory of the soul links three parts of the soul to the organization of society into three classes. Panaetius and the Greek historian Polybius defined political theology as a type of theology that serves the interest of politicians and serves as a guide for a specific political order or social organization.
Throughout history, thinkers and theologians have continued to compare, contrast and question the relationship and compatibility between theology and political legitimacy. The answers to this question and the exploration of this relationship have become the cornerstone of modern political theology. This debate has not only been covered by Christian theologians, but by thinkers such as Nicolai Machiavelli, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Erik Peterson and Carl Schmitt, the German theorist famed for his unapologetic support for Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.
Printed in 1922, Schmitt’s Political Theology revealed his theory of sovereignty and remains one of the most controversial modern political philosophers. Schmitt differs significantly from other political theologians because his ideas do not include a discussion of morals and ethics. Instead, he argues that the state exists with integrity but must promote and enforce order within society during times of crisis. This view became the justification for Nazi Germany and Hitler’s purge of his political opponents.
The writings and philosophy of German theologian Johann Baptist Metz have the strongest association with the concept of political theology. Metz’s views are strongly tied to Marxist/Socialist thought and are rooted in the belief that God is suffering in the midst of creating him. Also, suffering must exist to remind people of historical suffering. Similar to Marx, Metz labels the proletariat and bourgeois classes within Christianity, offering a critique of bourgeois Christianity in the same way that Marxism/socialism critiques the bourgeoisie of capitalist societies.
Metz’s political theology teaches that Christianity becomes less credible because of its bourgeois element. Middle-class members of the church are held in high esteem because of their status and orthodoxy, or customs and beliefs. Metz promotes that since religion, ethics and politics are intertwined, the true cornerstone of Christianity must be orthopraxis. Orthopraxy focuses on just or ethical actions and behaviors, specifically focused on social, cultural, economic, and political discourses.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
