Positions: Thinking Theologically About Politics

Navigate a politically charged contentious environment with wisdom, grace, and faith.

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Are you tired of feeling caught in the crossfire of today's political battles? Frustrated by how divisive issues are tearing apart families, churches, and communities? There's a better way to engage.

Introducing "Positions: Thinking Theologically About Politics"—your guide to navigating our contentious political landscape with wisdom, grace, and faith.

In this groundbreaking course, you'll discover how to spot God's presence even in the midst of conflict and complexity, gain fresh perspectives on current events through the lens of Scripture, and explore practical frameworks for tackling hot-button issues without compromising your values. You'll also learn strategies to foster unity and understanding, not more division.

Whether you're a pastor, community leader, or concerned citizen, this course equips you with the tools to have meaningful conversations across political divides, address polarization in your community with love and insight, and stay true to your faith while engaging in civic life.

Don't let partisan rhetoric dictate your approach to politics. Learn to think theologically and act compassionately. Join us for "Positions: Thinking Theologically About Politics" and transform the way you engage with today's most pressing issues.

What You'll Learn

  • A robust theological framework for approaching complex political issues—from elections to healthcare to economics.
  • Practical strategies for fostering productive conversations in politically polarized communities.
  • Insights into the interplay between faith and politics, and how to navigate this relationship with integrity.
  • Theological models for discerning truth in political messaging and developing Christ-like virtues in civic engagement.
  • A gospel-centered approach to understanding systemic sin and injustice, emphasizing redemption and reconciliation in societal structures.
  • Tools for cultivating compassion and applying biblical principles to contemporary political challenges.
  • Spiritual practices to ground your political involvement in faith and trust God's presence.
  • Illuminating insights into the political theology of influential figures throughout church history, and how their wisdom applies today.
  • Time-tested, faithful frameworks for following Jesus' teachings in an era of political division and chaos.

About this Course

  • Modules

8

  • Learning Elements

55

  • Videos

9

  • Practices & Activities

13

  • Time

6 hours, 30 minutes

  • Price

$55

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Here's What's Inside...

Get oriented to the course, meet your instructor, download the interactive handbook, and more.

In this module, you will:

  • Define religion and politics as living concepts.
  • Develop habits of thinking theologically.
  • Trust that God is present in complexity.

In this module, you will:

  • Consider theological models for approaching elections and candidates.
  • Develop your theological thinking about the character, promises, and platforms of political candidates.
  • Trust that God is present in shifting truths.

In this module, you will:

  • Consider theological models for developing virtue in the area of relationships with others.
  • Examine how you might use these models for discernment and productive conversation.
  • Trust that God is present.

In this module, you will:

  • Consider theological models for involvement in community.
  • Examine the issue of healthcare in light of these modules.
  • Develop a God-given compassion for neighbors.

In this module, you will:

  • Consider the theological implications of sin in personal and systemic settings.
  • Develop strategies for discernment of truth regarding sin and confession.
  • Trust in the hope that God brings.

In this module, you will:

  • Consider the theological mandate for unity.
  • Examine the personal and systemic implications of this mandate.
  • Trust that God is present in brokenness.

Find out your next steps as you complete the course. You'll also be encouraged to submit feedback about your course.

You'll Learn How to Love Your Neighbor
Alt: Faith+Lead | A view from behind two people bundled up in cold weather and walking down a small street in their community.

Transform your political engagement through the radical lens of Jesus' ministry. This course empowers you to love your neighbor across party lines, cultural divides, and socio-economic barriers. Reframe your approach to politics and revolutionize how you serve your community and impact the world beyond.

What to Expect

  • Lifetime access to this course’s eight modules, 55 learning elements, 9 videos, and 13 practices and activities.
  • A comprehensive PDF handbook to supplement your learning.
  • A free account inside the Faith+Lead Learning Lab, where you can connect with a community of other learners and leaders.
  • Already a member? Login here.

Ready to Enroll?

Enroll in this one on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all on-demand courses plus more with Faith+Lead Membership →

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Access to an online supportive community

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Access to 20+ on-demand courses

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Access to all workshops and their recordings

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Access to member-only live Q&A monthly interviews

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Access to monthly group coaching

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Looking for just in-time training resources?

Use this on-demand course as a complementary ready-made resource for small groups, Bible studies, discipleship growth, and equipping lay leaders in your specific ministry setting.

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Meet Your Instructor

  • Anthony Bateza

    Anthony Bateza specializes in Martin Luther, moral theology, and Christian ethics. Luther’s political theology is his primary area of research, focusing on the reformer's understanding of human agency and his relationship with the virtue tradition and Augustinian thought. He is also personally and professionally invested in race, identity, and social justice questions. He has written on Black liberation theology and connections between Lutheran teaching and confronting racism in the United States.

    Dr. Bateza teaches various courses in the religion department that connect theological and historical questions with contemporary challenges. He has taught in the Enduring Conversations program and serves as the program director of the Race and Ethnic Studies program (RACE) and chair of the Race, Ethnic, Gender, and Sexuality Studies department (REGSS).

    Dr. Bateza has earned degrees from Iowa State University (B.S, 2002), the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (M.Div., 2006), and Princeton Theological Seminary (Ph.D., 2017). He is an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church (ELCA) and frequently speaks in congregational settings and at church events.

    Dr. Bateza lives in Northfield with his wife, Cynthia, their two children, Austen and Magdalene, and their loveable dog Charlie. He enjoys cycling, board games, comic books, and cooking in his free time.

Connect as you learn

Connect inside the Faith+Lead Learning Lab

Learning happens best when you do it together with folks who are on the same journey as you are.

That's why our private social network, the Faith+Lead Learning Lab, hosts conversations about course content with other learners, instructors, TAs, and community leaders.

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Study together with a small group or congregation

Want to bring Positions: Thinking Theologically About Politics to your Bible study, small group, or even your entire congregation?

Choose "Enroll a Group" at checkout and select how many people you'd like to provide access to the course. You can go through the course together in-person, watch lessons together via Zoom, or even create a private group in the Learning Lab where participants can connect asynchronously.

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