CHURCH AND STATE IN THE POLITICAL THEOLOGY OF K. BART AND S. HAUERWAS. AN ATTEMPT OF COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

The paper provides analysis of the teachings of K. Barth and S. Hauerwas on the relations between church and state. Unlike the Reformers, Swiss theologian proves the possibility of a positive connection between church and state and points out some ways of its realization. According to K. Barth, both church and state, belong to the Christological sphere, which legitimizes the latter for the church community, as well as calls for mutual service. According to S. Hauerwas, the criterion of power is the legitimization of violence, while the special feature of the church is the ability to make peace. In addition, Hauerwas demonstrates the danger of uncritical acceptance of dominant narratives on the example of liberalism. Thus, on the one hand, the paper demonstrates, the differences in the views of K. Barth and S. Hauerwas, and on the other hand, reflects on common grounds of both theologians, making this research highly relevant today.