The Activist Impulse: Bowden on Political Theology

In chapter 11 of The Activist Impulse, "The Evangelical-Anabaptist Spectrum: The Political Theologies of Francis Schaeffer, John Howard Yoder, and Jim Wallis," Savannah State University professor of Political Science, Geoffrey Bowden, examines the “political theologies” of two poles of the evangelical-Anabaptist spectrum, Francis Schaeffer and John Howard Yoder, before examining Jim Wallis’ attempt at a middle ground—in order to elucidate some of the key points in which tension between these two traditions has existed. Bowden contends that the major difference between Schaeffer's and Yoder's approaches lies in their respective use of the biblical narrative. Whereas Yoder's political theology is drawn from a rich reading of the biblical narrative, Schaeffer uses Scripture much more superficially to justify his positions. Bowden then traces Wallis's development over the years, arguing that Wallis began his career much closer to Yoder but slowly moved further and further in Schaeffer's direction, not in terms of their respective political positions but in terms of the weight given to the biblical narrative. Whereas the biblical narrative was primary in Wallis's earlier writings, more recently he uses select quotes from the biblical prophets and Jesus to support his positions in order to justify them to a wider, more ecumenical and pluralistic base. While Bowden ultimately endorses Yoder’s approach, he concludes by calling for renewed discussion between Christians on the right and the left about how to witness faithfully to God’s redemptive activity in the political sphere.*

*This paragraph is adapted from The Activist Impulse, 216.