Radical Theism: Catholic, Protestant and Islamic

When Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman? (John Ball)

John Ball, the priest who led the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381, was one of many popular leaders who gave a more radical interpretation of the Bible than official church leaders did. The radical possibilities of the gospel message that the poor would inherit the earth and the protestant stress on the sovereignty of the individual conscience have strongly influenced the left of the British political tradition. The Diggers and Levellers in the Civil War period doubted the position of the established Church and the basis of property and political representation.

‘Fundamentalism’ is a literal approach to the interpretation of the Bible. Historically it was a theological doctrine not equivalent to a belief in the political supremacy of the Church. Christian fundamentalism can be a considerable political force. Islamic fundamentalism appears the most dynamic political–religious movement of the early twenty-first century.

Islamic ‘fundamentalism’ is something of a misnomer because virtually all Muslims take literal approach to the status and interpretation of the Koran. In the past Europeans had conflict with Islam during the crusades and as a part of colonialism, so there is a tendency in the West to identify Islamic ‘fundamentalism’ with intolerance, fanaticism and terrorism.

Historically Islamic doctrine is a tolerant one, at least in relation to ‘The People of the Book’ – Jews and Christians. Islam has the great advantage because it offers not only a religious doctrine, but a social and cultural tradition separate from, and equal or superior to the cultural tradition of Christian Europe. The doctrine of Islam has always been the assertion of a social and political unity of all the faithful – the Umma (Islamic community).

 

1 Give Ukrainian equivalents for the following words and expressions.

To delve, to spin, sovereignty, literal, supremacy, crusade, fanaticism, faithful.

 

2 Complete the sentences.

1. The radical possibilities...

2. In the past Europeans...

3. Historically it was...

4. The doctrine of Islam...

5. ‘Fundamentalism’ is...

3 Comprehension questions.

1. What radical possibilities of the gospel did popular leaders see in the Bible? How did their ideas influence political science?

2. What does ‘fundamentalism’ mean?

3. What kind of ideology is Islamic fundamentalism?

4. How is Islamic fundamentalism seen in the West?

5. What is the main idea of Islam as doctrine?

 

4 Say if the following statements are true according to the text.

1. The gospel says that the rich would inherit the earth.

2. ‘Fundamentalism’ is a literal approach to the interpretation of the Bible.

3. Protestants believed that individual conscience is independent.

4. ‘Fundamentalism’ is a literal approach to the interpretation of the Bible.

5. Historically fundamentalism was a theological doctrine equivalent to a belief in the political supremacy of the Church.

6. Islamic fundamentalism is a political movement.

7. In the past Europeans had conflicts with Islam.

8. Historically Islamic doctrine is a tolerant one.

9. The doctrine of Islam has always been the assertion of a social and political unity of all people in the world.