A Democratic and Republican Faith: A Public Theology for a Church and Nation in Crisis

Experts warn that America’s democratic political culture is in crisis and that the country is slouching toward authoritarianism. While many have warned of the challenge that Christian nationalism presents to democracy, Roberts addresses the burden that mainstream Christianity has placed on democratic culture by failing to nurture members in a thick democratic and republican faith. Roberts examines the positive role that religion must play in a liberal democratic society and shows how mainstream Protestants can do their part to revitalize the cultural and moral resources on which democracy depends. He addresses Protestantism’s disarray and America’s democratic crisis by articulating the practical implications of nine principles of a public theology: theocentrism, creation, image of God, natural law, sin, hope, vocation, covenant, and ecclesiology. Rediscovering the wisdom in these principles will give Protestants new purpose and vigor. Because these principles evolved alongside and shaped the ideas and practices of democracy, refreshing their meaning promises to strengthen ideas that are frequently considered more secular, such as liberalism, federalism, constitutionalism, human rights, the separation of powers, and the rule of law. Read more