The political relevance of the spiritual church : a theological critique and alternative to the Presbyterian doctrine of the "spirituality of the church."

This dissertation argues that the Presbyterian doctrine of the “spirituality of the church” puts forward theologically incoherent distinctions to discern what “political” topics the church can address. By identifying these forms of theological incoherence, I complement of the historical work done on the “spirituality of the church”—which is caught in a stalemate between social historians who identify the idea as an excuse to avoid questions of racial injustice and historians of doctrine which treat it as an application of historical Presbyterian two kingdoms theology. I argue that the “spirituality of the church” was a reinterpretation of the role of the church in Presbyterian two kingdoms theology made in the disestablished context of the United States, but that the role of the church was variously recast in a theologically incoherent manner that situates the church towards inconsistent forms of application. In contemporary discussions, the doctrine is typified into three interpretations—those of Stuart Robinson, James Henley Thornwell, and Charles Hodge. I argue that the position of each figure proves theologically incoherent, and that the conceptual difficulties involved in all three illustrate problems at attempting to rule a political question beyond the relevance of the moral law found in scripture which the church has authority to apply. I offer an alternative understanding of the church’s role, within Presbyterian two kingdoms theology, that avoids these problems, by way of theological exposition of concepts found in the Westminster Confession of Faith.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Grantor

Baylor University.

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Regli, Charles B., 1992-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Martens, Paul Henry.

• Presbyterian.
• Spirituality of church.
• Ecclesiology.
• Politics.

Statement dc:rights

• Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13735

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13735