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Arguing that Americans make political choices in terms of a general notion of right and wrong, yet lack a sound, objective foundation for such values, evangelical scholar Stephen Mott formulates a Christian political theory that supplies such norms. Drawing on theological and biblical sources, Mott thoroughly develops the biblical and theological foundations for politics and political evaluation. Mott proposes that political philosophies should be evaluated in light of Christian theological and ethical values--specifically the understanding of power, human nature, the nature of group life, justice and love, government, and time. He then applies this critical framework in an evaluation of political ideologies, including traditional conservatism, liberalism, democracy, laissez-faire conservatism, Marxist socialism, and democratic socialism. He gives special attention to their classical exponents and ideas. Asserting that political visions ultimately depend on cultural values that themselves require vigorous religious faith in a particular society, Mott's study offers a valuable introduction to Christian political thought as well as an illuminating look at the connection between politics and religion.
E-Book Content
A Christian Perspective on Political Thought
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A Christian Perspective on Political Thought Stephen Charles Mott
New York Oxford OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 1993
Oxford University Press Oxford New York Toronto Delhi Bombay Calcutta Madras Karachi Kuala Lumpur Singapore Hong Kong Tokyo Nairobi Dar es Salaam Cape Town Melbourne Auckland Madrid and associated companies in Berlin Ibadan
Copyright © 1993 by Stephen Charles Mott Published by Oxford University Press, Inc. 200 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016 Oxford is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced. stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of Oxford University Press. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Mott, Stephen Charles. A Christian perspective on political thought / Stephen Charles Mott. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0-19-507121-2.™ ISBN 0-19-508138-2 (pbk.) 1. Christianity and politics. 2. Political science. I. Title. BR1I5.P7M58 1993 261.7—dc20 92-25045
246897653 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper
To Sandy
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Acknowledgmentss I have drawn heavily upon the Christian realists, especially Reinhold Niebuhr, but also Paul Tillich and Eduard Heimann. The combination of their commitment to a transcending social justice and an emphasis upon the human being as both sinner and creation of God suits my approach well. Niebuhr had a formative influence upon my own development that has continued. His ability to examine critically all sides of an issue and his facility in supporting theological and biblical insights with current history and contemporary social theory continue to appeal. My approach also has emphases that differ. Some of these are due to other elements of my intellectual heritage, one of which is that of my doctoral professor in social ethics, James Luther Adams. His continual giving of himself to his students has meant learning as much from him since I formally studied under him as in that rich time a quarter of a century ago. I want to thank Corinne Languedoc, then senior faculty secretary at GordonConwell Theological Seminary, for once again contributing her skills to preparing final copy and for her collegiality during two decades of working together. John Hunt, my student assistant for three years, diligently carried out many research task