When Christians Disagree: Church Unity in an Age of Division

Survey the typologies of engagement by various Christian traditions (giving particular attention to the broad evangelical tradition) with the public square, along the spectrum of disengagement, cooperation, co-optation, and confrontation. Analyze the theological assumptions and perspectives on the gospel that inform such engagement or lack thereof. Dominant evangelical paradigms of Christian engagement in the public square will be shown to be lacking in the pursuit of the common good. A strong case will be made that the authentic gospel, embodied in the person and work of Jesus, explicated in the motif of the kingdom of God, is not only good news for those who believe, but includes those who may not believe. The gospel places an obligation on all who believe not only to proclaim and demonstrate the good news of salvation, but also to strive for the common good.