Love, Law and Revolution: Critical issues in political theology TEOL5435

What is the political significance of the historical repertoire of biblical and Christian discourse? Is Christianity a revolutionary movement of love or an ideology legitimising the law of the powerful? How do interpreters navigate this historic tension? How are ancient texts and pre-modern theologies understood and reinterpreted in a world of capitalism, liberal democracy, and the advanced nation state?

This course provides an advanced, interdisciplinary investigation into the legacy of biblical discourse and Christian thought on western political life. It provides tools for analysing the intertwinement of theological and political discourse, tracing the historical reception of biblical texts, and understanding how theological concepts shape contemporary political life. Furthermore, the course teaches students to critically engage such phenomena by drawing on historical, philosophical, and Marxist critiques, as well as voices from Christian political theology.

The course is structured around three core themes: love, law, and revolution, examining how these ideas have been developed, re-appropriated, and contested to define political life. Students will explore how Christian concepts of love have been mobilized as powerful political forces and how theological conceptions of law have legitimised or challenged, particular visions of order. Finally, the course will investigate the theological heritage of revolutionary thought, from biblical apocalypticism and medieval peasant revolts to modern political thought.

The course will mainly be taught through seminars.

The course presupposes a basic competence in systematic theology and biblical studies

About the study

Study requirements

In order to receive a final assessment, students must:

Attend a minimum of 75% of the seminars. Submit and get approved an essay (2500-3000 words) for particular a seminar and give an oral presentation based on your essay.

When course requirements are not fulfilled, this will count as one examination attempt, unless the student withdraws before the set deadline (1 May).

Final assessment/Exam

In order to receive a final assessment, the student must fulfill the course requirements within the fixed deadline. The course and final exam will be graded as A-F.

TEOL5435 is assessed with a written school exam lasting 4 hours.

Learning outcome

KNOWLEDGE

The student has:

good knowledge of the foundational concepts and methodological debates within political theology. advanced knowledge of how biblical and Christian ideas about love, law, and revolution have shaped and continue to influence Western political traditions. advanced knowledge of the intertwinement of theological and political discourse across different historical periods.

SKILLS

The student can:

analyze and evaluate the political significance of theological concepts and biblical texts. critically engage with and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of various scholarly stances on theological-political phenomena. apply theoretical tools from theology, philosophy and critical theory to analyze and critique contemporary political issues.

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