Political theology has become a buzzword in academic circles and popular discourse alike. From discussions of religious nationalism to debates about populism and democratic norms, the term appears everywhere. Yet despite its ubiquity, there's surprisingly little consensus about what political theology actually means.
This December, Columbia University Press is publishing a book that promises to change that conversation: What Is Political Theology? by Professor Luke Bretherton, Dr Vincent W. Lloyd, and Professor Valentina Napolitano.
Three Voices, One Transformative Vision
What makes this book unique is its genuinely interdisciplinary approach. The authors come from three distinct fields:
- Luke Bretherton, Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford, brings a Christian theological perspective
- Vincent W. Lloyd, professor of theology and religious studies and director of the Center for Political Theology at Villanova University, offers insights from critical theory
- Valentina Napolitano, professor and Connaught Scholar in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Toronto, contributes an anthropological lens
Rather than presenting a unified, monolithic definition, these scholars engage in dialogue, exploring similarities and differences in their approaches. The result is a book that opens up the field rather than closing it down. One of the book's most significant contributions is its challenge to political theology's traditional boundaries. For too long, the field has been dominated by a European canon stretching back to figures like Carl Schmitt. Bretherton, Lloyd, and Napolitano demonstrate how new voices are transforming political theology:
- Decolonial theory
- Black studies
- Feminist and queer theory
- New materialism
- Ethnographic approaches from both the Global North and Global South
These perspectives bring fresh insights to the urgent political questions of our time.
What Is Political Theology? will be available in December 2025:
- Paperback: $30.00 / £25.00 (ISBN 978-0-231-22215-0)
- Hardcover: $120.00 / £100.00 (ISBN 978-0-231-22214-3)
- Ebook: $29.99 / £25.00 (ISBN 978-0-231-56408-3)
Save 20% with code CUP20 when you order directly from Columbia University Press at cup.columbia.edu.
Click here to access the pre-order link
