Abstract

ARANGUIZ KAHN, Luis. Ruling Despite Consciences. Roger Williams on the Border Between Augustinianism and Liberalism. Letras [online]. 2021, vol.92, n.136, pp.172-184.  Epub Dec 29, 2021. ISSN 0378-4878.  http://dx.doi.org/10.30920/letras.92.136.13.

Roger Williams (1604-1683) is considered one of the main authors who paved the way for the basic ideas of modern political life, such as freedom of conscience, tolerance, and neutrality of the State in religious matters. Several of them are reflected in his famous work The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution for Cause of Conscience (1644). However, what is distinctive about Williams is not only his modernity, but also that he elaborated these ideas from the breadth of biblical tradition as well as Christian thought. Therefore, this essay seeks to turn to the Christian dimension of Williams and to show how it has continuity with the political thought of Saint Augustine of Hippo regarding order and peace in the city. This will be done through a comparison of both thinkers in key subjects. To do this, I will define the contours of the religious tolerance proposed by Williams in relation to the problem of freedom of conscience in The Bloudy Tenent,comparing this with some general features of Augustinian thought contained in The City of God. Finally, this notion of tolerance will be contrasted with propositions of liberal origin, specifically taking John Locke's Letter on Tolerance as an example. Through this it will be possible to see the differences between a Christian position and a liberal one.

Keywords : Roger Williams; Augustine of Hippo; Freedom of Conscience; Liberalism; Christianity.

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