ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book exemplifies the interrelation between theological and political questions. In an attempt to respond to the compromised position of theology, many theologians assume that their task is to show how theological speech could make sense given the epistemological presumptions of modernity. In order for Christianity to gain intellectual and political intelligibility within the world of political liberalism, it must first be transformed into "beliefs". Indeed, Milbank's Theology and Social Theory may well be the closest thing we have in modern theology to Augustine's City of God. Such a comparison is obviously not fair to Milbank, but at least it suggests the genre within the work is properly judged. Ramsey would be shocked to be counted among the Protestant liberals, since he thought of himself as more theologically and politically conservative than anyone in that tradition.