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"[These] essays not only continue the O'Donovans' effort to
reintroduce traditional Christian political theology to a
contemporary audience, but also assertively confront the present
misconceptions of political theory and offer possibilities for
change. An excellent complement to their previous compilation of
primary texts, this volume should be a welcome addition to all
collections. Recommended." Scottish Journal of Theology
"Full of insights and arguments, the pursuit of which, whether or
not one finds them individually compelling, cannot help but
contribute to the enhancement of contemporary Christian political
ethics as it struggles to make its way after modernity. For this we
remain in the O'Donovans' debt." Robert Song
"It cannot often happen that a tradition of thought so widely
forgotten is so convincingly retrieved for contemporary
deliberation. Yet this is what the O'Donovans have triumphantly
done in their recovery of premodern Christian political thought.
These are robust, unapologetic essays that confront the platitudes
of current political discourse -- both secular and Christian --
with a depth of theological vision that is destined to have a
lasting impact. Nobody who claims a serious interest in political
theology will be able to ignore this book." James V. Schall,
S.J.
"Bonds of Imperfection is an incisive, yes, magisterial work that
represents the history and understanding of political philosophy as
if Christianity really existed. It is likewise a sharp critique of
modern liberal attempts, including Catholic versions, to account
for political things. It is fully aware of the potentially
destructive nature of 'human rights, ' and it gives a concise
history of how we arrived at them. In short, this book is nothing
less than a reintroduction of the great Pauline and Augustinian
theses about the real nature of political life, of 'political
judgment, ' as the O'Donovans call it. It is a book that
understands that political things cannot be understood without
theological things, and, perhaps, vice versa." John Witte Jr.
"These elegant and erudite essays provide a kaleidoscopic tour of
many of the fundamental questions of law, politics, and civil
society that have long occupied the O'Donovans. This volume
provides a judicious sampling and synthesis of some of their best
specialty scholarship in intellectual history, biblical exegesis,
theological ethics, and political theory. It also constitutes a
welcome scholarly companion to and expansion of their landmark
Eerdmans text From Irenaeus to Grotius: A Sourcebook in Christian
Political Thought. " Jean Bethke Elshtain
"Oliver and Joan O'Donovan are leaders in the current revival of
political theology. This exemplary collection of essays displays
all the virtues of their previous work -- felicity of expression,
capacious use of the resources of the Christian tradition, and an
unsentimental, incisive understanding of political power. All
students of politics and theology will find this volume
indispensable." Studies in Christian Ethics
"The O'Donovans . . . mine the political tradition of Christianity
in a deeper and more sustained manner than anyone else writing
today. . . We are greatly in their debt."
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