Faithful politics: The tradition of Martin Luther King, Jr., Reinhold Niebuhr, and Walter Rauschenbusch (Pat Robertson, Stanley Hauerwas)

This dissertation argues that Martin Luther King, Jr., Reinhold Niebuhr, and Walter Rauschenbusch embodied and expressed a common approach to American politics. This interpretation challenges the conventional view of the three as representatives of three diffuse, even conflicting positions. The dissertation argues for this alternative interpretation by juxtaposing them with two contemporary critics of American politics, Pat Robertson and Stanley Hauerwas. For different reasons, both of the latter call for a posture of unrelenting criticism and opposition to American politics. In contrast King, Niebuhr, and Rauschenbusch are found to share a stance that is both critical and constructive. Moreover, their approach to politics is grounded in their respective beliefs about God. Finally, their theological differences, though genuine, are found to exist alongside deeper underlying agreements about God and God's relationship to the world.; The dissertation is organized chronologically, not to identify an influence but to facilitate the reader's understanding of the theologians in the contexts in which they, advocated faithful participation in American politics. A chapter is devoted to each theologian, his context, beliefs about God, and how those beliefs informed participation in American politics that was both critical and constructive. In the chapters on Rauschenbusch and Niebuhr, the burden of the argument lies in demonstrating, their critical participation. With King, the burden lies in demonstrating his constructive participation.; Once these tasks are completed, the argument then concludes by identifying underlying convictions about God. In the end, King, Niebuhr, and Rauschenbusch are found to be representatives of a broad tradition marked by its confidence in God's robust participation in the world. The tradition, while broad, is also distinct from critics of American politics, like Robertson and Hauerwas. The breadth of the tradition makes it diffuse and difficult to articulate, but its breadth also offers possibilities for ecumenical and interfaith cooperation.