Heaven on Earth: Theory and Practice. Review of The Christian Left

Abstract

It is a well-know fact that the political legacy of Christianity is diverse and contradictory. But if we put forward the thesis that the legacy is also cyclical, we will open a large room for discussion both from the historical and political-theoretical perspective. Indeed, the first followers of Christianity were among the oppressed financially and socially, howewher with the advent of the institution of the church their status changed. Gradually the Christian church transformed into political force. We can evaluate it as a conservative right-wing political force. Over the past 150 years, as Anthony A. J. Williams, a British researcher of political theory at Manchester Metropolitan University, suggests and proves in his book The Christian Left, this thesis is far from the truth, and the provisions of the Bible can be the basis of economic collectivism and social liberation in the socialists’ understanding. Starting his research with the theological foundations of Christianity, which could be adopted not only by the right but also by the left, the author immerses the reader in the hitherto unexplored world of Christian socialism with all its contradictions and distrust on the part of the church. In his research, Williams tries to trace the genesis of this phenomenon in space and time, capturing the events of the 15th-16th centuries, when peasant uprisings on the one hand and religious reformers on the other opposed the established socio-economic order, proclaiming the earth a common treasury, advocating for universal brotherhood instead of competition,  and fair distribution of income instead of thoughtless accumulation. Speaking broadly about the book we should admit that the author managed to collect, systematize and analyze both the intellectual and historical heritage of the Christian left movements. A. Williams managed to bring together both the prehistory, the philosophical, and the religious basis of left-wing Christianity. At the same time, the author does not reconsider the Christian dogmas, taking ready-made interpretations of socialist theologians without proper commentary and analysis. Furthermore the author does not develop the theory of left-wing Orthodox tradition. Nevertheless the book The Christian Left may be of interest to researchers of political theory, philosophers, theologians, sociologists and historians, as well as to anyone who doubts whether socialism is a successful attempt to build a paradise on earth.