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Human Being and polis

Publication at Protestant Theological Faculty |
2021

Abstract

The chapter explores the ways of speaking theologically about human beings as political beings. Methodology of the chapter suggests that when dealing with this topic theology has to relate to other scientific voices as well as to reflections on particular experiences.

Therefore, it offers three interrelated dialogues. Firstly, political philosophy and cultural anthropology come into play stressing a "natural" role of polis and koinónia.

The second dialogue is ecumenical and it presents samples of Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Evangelical views of people created as political beings. Still, only in the third dialogue political realities of particular communities are fully taken into account in the framework of liberative theological anthropology.

Third world theologians, such as Oscar Romero, Engelbert Mveng and José Comblin, plea for politics of participation, including the poor who "teach us about polis". The chapter concludes with Václav Havel's idea of civic society, which - expressed in theological terms - is blessed with diversity and at the same time embraces a desire for ever more.