Dr Luke Bretherton
Reader in theology and politics
Contact information:
Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 3243
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7848 3182
Email: luke.bretherton@kcl.ac.uk
About me
I am Reader in Theology & Politics and Convenor of the Faith & Public Policy Forum at King's College London. A born and bred Londoner I have worked with a variety of faith based NGOs, mission organisations and churches both in the UK and internationally. My first book 'Hospitality as Holiness: Christian Witness Amid Moral Diversity' explores the churches response to moral pluralism. In both academic articles and journalism (including pieces in The Times, The Guardian, The Huffington Post and ABC Religion & Ethics) I examine topics related to church-state relations and the relationship between Christianity, citizenship, democracy, social welfare provision and inter-faith relations. I co-edited a book of essays on the emerging church entitled 'Remembering Our Future: Explorations in Deep Church' (Paternoster, 2007). My recent work in the area of theology and politics has focused on faith-based organizations, community organizing, refugees and fair trade and is drawn together in 'Christianity & Contemporary Politics: The Conditions and Possibilities of Faithful Witness' (Wiley-Blackwell, 2010). I am actively involved in local politics as part of Citizens UK, have undertaken advisory roles for
government on the relationship between community organizing and strengthening civil society, and contribute to the development of 'Blue Labour' as a political vision.
Research
My primary areas of research are Christian political thought and theological ethics using an inter-disciplinary methodology that draws on theology, political theory and the social sciences. I am currently working on a book entitled 'A Paradoxical Politics: Christianity, Community Organising and the Future of Democratic Politics'. This draws on a recently completed three year research project on which I was Principle Investigator entitled: ŒChristianity, urban politics and pursuit of the common good through broad-based coalitions: the case of the Citizens Organizing Foundation¹ (Arts & Humanities Research Council Research Grant AH/F010451/1).
For further details please see my Research Staff Profile
Teaching
Doctorate in Ministry (DMin) programme:
Moral theology and professional ethics
MA Theology, Politics & Faith-Based Organisations:
Theology, Politics & Faith-Based Organisations (core module)
Church, Mission & Society