ABOUT THIS BOOK

Few figures shaped the Stone-Campbell Restoration movement more than David Lipscomb, whose influence on its theology and practice rivaled that of any of his contemporaries. Yet the writings in this volume have long been unavailable to general readers, and most people are no longer familiar with his ideas, including his belief that Christians should not participate in secular politics.

In the early decades of the Stone-Campbell movement, adherents argued their positions in person and in print, and the direction of the movement was decided by these wide-ranging theological discussions. Dissent was built into the discourse and considered a part of the spiritual well-being of the movement. Followers were expected to read and have opinions on all these discussions. And now most of these books and articles have all but vanished from circulation—not just Lipscomb’s but many of the nineteenth-century Campbellite theologians’ writings.

This volume comprises three of Lipscomb’s most important works regarding Christians’ relationship to civil government, along with an introduction by Edward Peter Stringham and Norman R. Horn that explains how Lipscomb’s political writings receded from view within the movement he once shaped.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

David Lipscomb (1831–1917) was a leader in the Stone-Campbell Restoration movement, an influential editor of the Gospel Advocate, and one of the founders of the Nashville Bible College, now known as Lipscomb University.

Edward Peter Stringham is the Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of American Business and Economic Enterprise at Trinity College.

Norman R. Horn is the founder and president of the Libertarian Christian Institute. He is a co-author of Faith Seeking Freedom: Libertarian Christian Answers to Tough Questions.

REVIEWS

“Stringham and Horn assemble an excellent collection of Lipscomb’s provocative writings on political theology, made even more timely by thought-provoking chapters that put Lipscomb’s and Restorationist ideas into conversation with today’s political theorists.”
—James Gorman, co-author of Reviving the Ancient Faith: The Story of Churches of Christ in America

— James Gorman

“I have been waiting for this book! I wish I had produced it. Stringham and Horn collect the political writings of David Lipscomb into one place. That is a valuable resource in itself. But they also introduce his life and thought while insightfully assessing Lipscomb’s significance for the current political moment. The Political Theology of David Lipscomb supplies what readers have needed—direct access to his thought—and introduces them to an alternative Christian vision of the world that opposes every kind of Christian Nationalism.”
—John Mark Hicks, editor of Resisting Babel: Allegiance to God and the Problem of Government

— John Mark Hicks

“David Lipscomb’s works speak to the long, proud history of men of faith who realize that one can serve God or government but not both.”
—Michael Malice, author of The New Right: A Journey to the Fringe of American Politics

— Michael Malice

“Today, David Lipscomb’s political thought is largely neglected. This is a shame since he developed a distinctive theory of political power, coercion, war, and democratic participation grounded in his Christian faith. Edward Stringham and Norman Horn have done an admirable job of bringing Lipscomb’s work to a contemporary audience. Readers will walk away not only with an understanding of Lipscomb’s political thought, but also the relevant context of his work thanks to Stringham and Horn’s editorial commentary. Anyone interested in political theology, political economy, issues of war and peace, and the relationship between Christianity and the state will benefit from reading this important volume.”
—Christopher J. Coyne, author of In Search of Monsters to Destroy: The Folly of American Empire and the Paths to Peace

— Christopher J. Coyne

“Edward P. Stringham and Norman R. Horn have offered readers a gift. This thoughtfully edited volume introduces modern readers to an underappreciated thinker on the topics of war, the state, and Christianity. This book is a ‘must-read.’ David Lipscomb’s life and work have much to teach us in a time where many Christians are embracing the coercive powers of the state.”
—Abigail R. Hall, co-author of How to Run Wars: A Confidential Playbook for the National Security Elite

— Abigail R. Hall

“David Lipscomb is one of the most important individuals in American political and religious history. His writings on the proper role of government are needed now more than ever. Stringham and Horn’s introduction and notes on Lipscomb’s political theology greatly enhance the work.”
—Laurence M. Vance, author of Christianity and War: And Other Essays Against the Warfare State

— Laurence M. Vance

“This volume is a significant contribution to multiple fields, as Lipscomb’s radical anti-statist theology has been under-explored in mainstream scholarship on American religious history and political theology.”
—Claudia Williamson Kramer, co-editor of Promoting Prosperity in Mississippi

— Claudia Williamson Kramer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction: The Importance of Lipscomb’s Political Theology | Edward Peter Stringham & Norman R. Horn

Civil Government

A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles: Romans 13

The Church of Christ and World Powers

Queries and Answers: Worldly and Political Entries

Epilogue: Lipscomb’s Ideas Informing the World Today | Edward Peter Stringham & Norman R. Horn

Timeline

Acknowledgments

Notes

Bibliography

Index