The Coordinates of Covenantal Pluralism: Mapping Pluralist Theory in the 21^st Century

Abstract

The aim of this article is to map the plurality of pluralist theories, indicate and (hopefully) make sense of what the many important contributions explaining this resurgent notion have been to date, and finally locate “covenantal pluralism” in this developing conversation. The essay plots at least 11 models on a “pluralist quadrant” in order to help us understand their unique contributions to the pluralism debate. Finally, I aim to show in conclusion how an emphasis on covenants captures some of the best of the many discourses about pluralism discussed in the essay, thereby highlighting the advantages of a holistic and balanced approach to conceptualizing normative pluralism.

Keywords:

• pluralism
• covenant
• secularism
• religious diversity
• freedom of religion or belief

Acknowledgements

This article was commissioned as part of a larger project sponsored by the Covenantal Pluralism Initiative at the Templeton Religion Trust. The views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Templeton Religion Trust.

Notes

1 The idea and the plotting of these pluralisms was developed with Jessica R. Joustra. I thank her for her creative insights!

2 For an assessment of the utility of such pluralism for such things as prosperity and stability see the work of Brian Grim at the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation, here: https://religiousfreedomandbusiness.org/brian-j-grim.

3 There are important accounts of pluralism which deal mainly with structural or cultural pluralism, and some, like principled pluralism or confident pluralism, are connected in important ways to their organized response to directional pluralism, but that is not the subject of this essay.

4 In International Relations, one tradition that deals with wide-scale pluralism along such pragmatic lines is called functionalism. The premise is similar, in that productive relationships can be built across wide difference on the basis of pragmatic—or functional—need.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Robert J. Joustra

Robert J. Joustra is Associate Professor of Politics & International Studies at Redeemer University. He is author and editor of several books, including The Religious Problem with Religious Freedom (Routledge, 2017) and most recently Modern Papal Diplomacy and Social Teaching in World Affairs (Routledge, 2019). He serves as an editorial fellow at The Review of Faith & International Affairs.