Radical Gospel Library

This site contains a number of interesting looking articles, some of which are unpublished, by the likes of Cavanaugh, Ellul, Hauerwas, Milbank,Yoder, Mccarthy-Matzko.  This is the blurb:

The library contains radical and subversive writings by several prominent Christian theologians.The work here reflects the alien nature of following Christ, and being a people in exile, "living out of control". These theologians are challenging the standard reading of the bible and Christ presented in todays mainstream establishments. Their writings are uncompromising and threatening to the cheap theology characteristic of the North American Church.

If you are interested in radical, political theology (and even if you aren't but think you ought to be) then go and take a browse.  H/T Ben Myers.

Comments

[Phil B]

I meant 13. Weirdly, I'd just looked it up to make sure and still typed 15.
Ok, let's not elevate it to the level of "overarching theological account of the relationship between church and state" but can we read it alongside 1 Peter 2:13-17? Oh, and Mark 12:13-17? (Which even with the excellent interpretation that Jesus is condemning the Pharisees for idolatry still has Jesus saying pay your taxes.)

I'd say the NT is pretty clear on the separation of church and state and the role of a Christian within the state, and unfortunately it's not anarchic revolution.

If I wasn't in the middle of avoiding writing my dissertation then I'd be reading these articles. ;-)

[Sean]

Hi Phil

I think you mean Romans 13 - and I guess the easy answer is to suggest you read a few of the articles and see. My own view would be that Romans 13 is a piece of contextual advice for a nascent church in a hostile culture (or perhaps the whole thing is irony). Problems inevitably arise when it is elevated to some kind of overarching theological account of the relationship between church and state. If you want a good discussion see Neil Elliott's book, Liberating Paul.

[Phil B]

From the blurb on the website:
"Anarchism is a rich and powerful critique of modern society that Christians have at our fingertips. We do not wish to confuse Christianity with anarchism but we do believe that when Christianity is lived rightly it looks a lot like anarchism."

How do they square this with Romans 15 and other places which clearly state we need to follow the law of the state and keep our heads down?