Redeemer Presbyterian Church (indianapolis)

Greg Enas discusses major events, questions, themes, and concepts that have shaped our own particular context of American political thought. You can access previous sessions and additional materials at www.redeemindy.org/politics.

Kian Hudson discusses Reformation political theologies with a special focus on the Anabaptists, Martin Luther, and John Calvin. Key Texts: Luther’s Secular Authority, Calvin’s Institutes (Book IV, Chapter 20), Schleitheim Confession (Art. VI) Key Questions: In what ways did the Reformers continue or depart from prior Christian political thought? Download class handouts and additional resources at redeemindy.org/politics.

Key Question: what does mercy and justice look like “where we are” in our own local context?

Key Texts: Augustine’s City of God (Books IV & XIX), Aquinas’s Summa Theologica (Part II-II, qq. 90–108) Key Questions: What did Christendom’s two most influential theologians think about justice, the state, and the law?

Key Texts: Romans 13, 1 Peter 2, Revelation 13 Key Questions: Why, according to Scripture, do governments exist? What role do they play in God’s purposes for the world? How should Christians relate to civil authority?

Key Texts: Psalm 10, Romans 5, Revelation 21 Key Question: What are the main ideas, tensions, and questions that have shaped and occupied Christian political thought throughout history?

Key Text: Genesis 1:27 Key Questions: What does it mean to be made in God’s image? How does God’s command to “exercise dominion” shape the way we think about politics today? In other words: what are people for, and what is God’s vision for our life together?