📘 Lexicon Entry: Counter-Imperial

A theological approach that challenges imperial frameworks of power, domination, and violence through alternative community embodying divine kingdom values

Counter-Imperial theology represents a theological alternative to imperial Christianity that has historically aligned with state power and domination. This approach draws on biblical traditions that present God’s kingdom as fundamentally challenging to human empires, emphasizing Jesus’s rejection of domination, the early church’s alternative economic and social practices, and contemporary communities that embody non-violent resistance to imperial power. Rather than seeking to Christianize empire, this framework calls for communities that offer genuine alternatives to imperial logic. Counter-Imperial theology directly challenges the imperial assumptions underlying Dominative Christianism and MAGA Christianism, offering instead a vision of divine power expressed through vulnerable service rather than triumphant domination.

Theological Alternative

empire, kingdom, power, domination, alternative community, non-violence, resistance, political theology, biblical politics

Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. “Counter-Imperial.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].

Divine kingdom understood as alternative to rather than blessing of human empires

Jesus’s lordship challenging rather than supporting imperial power structures

Church as alternative polis rather than religious support for existing order

Christian discipleship requiring resistance to imperial values of domination and violence

Christianity co-opted to provide religious legitimation for imperial power

Divine kingdom reduced to spiritual realm, leaving empire unchallenged

Jesus’s lordship subordinated to Caesar’s authority rather than challenging it

Emphasizes Jesus’s rejection of domination and violence

Calls for alternative communities embodying kingdom values

Challenges imperial logic through non-violent resistance

Maintains prophetic distance from state power

Biblical theology of divine kingdom as alternative to human empires

Early church’s alternative economic and social practices

Liberation theology’s preferential option for the oppressed

Anabaptist tradition of prophetic witness against state violence

Jesus’s temptation narrative rejecting imperial power (Matthew 4:8-10)

Paul’s proclamation of Jesus as Lord challenging Caesar’s authority (Acts 17:7)

Revelation’s critique of empire as beastly power opposing God (Revelation 13)

Base ecclesial communities in Latin America

Christian Peacemaker Teams in conflict zones

Sanctuary movement providing refuge for immigrants

Economic alternative communities practicing mutual aid

Studies of empire criticism in biblical texts

Research on early church’s alternative economic practices

Analysis of contemporary counter-imperial Christian movements

Related Primary Concepts: Dominative Christianism, MAGA Christianism, Christianism

Key Mutations: Binary Apocalypticism, Disordered Nationalism

Contemporary Movements: Christian Nationalism

Theological Alternatives: Prophetic Patriotism, Servant Power

Historical Context: Civil Religion, Covenant Theology

May 22, 2025

*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*