William T Cavanaugh Knihy

This collection showcases pivotal writings in contemporary political theology, highlighting the shift of Christianity towards the global South. It features diverse perspectives from Africa, Asia, and Latin America alongside foundational texts from Europe and North America. Key themes include the interplay of church and state, as well as issues of gender, race, and postcolonialism. With forty-nine carefully curated readings, the volume serves as an essential resource for students, scholars, and engaged citizens interested in the dynamics of faith and politics today.

Should Christians be for or against the free market? For or against globalization? How are we to live in a world of scarcity? William Cavanaugh uses Christian resources to incisively address basic economic matters -- the free market, consumer culture, globalization, and scarcity -- arguing that we should not just accept these as givens but should instead change the terms of the debate.Among other things, Cavanaugh discusses how God, in the Eucharist, forms us to consume and be consumed rightly. Examining pathologies of desire in contemporary "free market" economies,  Being Consumed  puts forth a positive and inspiring vision of how the body of Christ can engage in economic alternatives. At every turn, Cavanaugh illustrates his theological analysis with concrete examples of Christian economic practices.

Using Pope Francis's metaphor of the church as a field hospital, William Cavanaugh explores how the church can address both spiritual and material wounds in society. He delves into the relationship between theology and critical issues like religious freedom and economic injustice, arguing that the church must approach these challenges with humility and solidarity, acknowledging its shared guilt in human sin. Cavanaugh advocates for a church that actively engages with the world's suffering, aiming to heal rather than judge.

William Cavanaugh explores the shift of religious devotion in the modern world, arguing that rather than diminishing, faith has transformed, now centering on the nation-state as a new object of worship. Through this examination, he reveals how sacred fervor persists in contemporary society, challenging the notion that religion has disappeared in the West. The book delves into the implications of this migration of the holy, offering a thought-provoking perspective on the intertwining of faith and nationalism.