Jürgen Manemann on The Permanence of the Theological-Political Opportunities and Threats for Christianity in the Current Crisis of Democracy

Summary:
We live in the society shaken by crisis. In democratic societies at present, Christianity is challenged by the radical theory of privatization and de-politization. In this tense situation, how Christians position themselves depends on whether they attribute to religion a therapeutic or critical function. In contradicting this strict theory of privatization, the current crisis within theology (such as the allegation that theologians are all too content with the role of the academic) is to be overcome by becoming a voice to the voiceless. This political task would primarily be to enable human beings to articulate their ideas and feelings.
The new connection between politics and morality demands the mobilization of the intellectual and moral powers through radical democratization of the basis of society. It is religion that is able to protect politics from limiting itself to the conservation of the existing order to live under the illusion of pure immanence. Religion reminds politics of the necessity of the decorporation of power. The current crisis of democracy is as well for Christianity. Thus we need to remember the fundamental function of monotheism that is the foundation for perceiving reality as unity and for humanity to expect a universal history.
God challenges us to be the advocate of those who have perished. This conforms to the ethos of democracy, as we can see by looking at human rights – the generative principle of democracy.

Reflection:

In this article I see the close relationship between the political and theology, between religion and government. They have a common end and a similar experience of crisis being situated in the same society and epoch. This gives me a vibrant feeling of getting involved in the social advocacies of the church, thus giving flesh to the theological principles learned in the academic world. What bothers me in this article is the focus on just one system, that is democracy. I think democracy is not yet the best political system. The society’s reflections on faith and morality should be given utmost attention that is ordering our present system towards a more perfect one if only we would reject pride and selfishness.