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Covenantal Pluralism: A More Perfect Union

3 Sep, 2019

“Covenantal Pluralism,” according to Chris Seiple, “entails the obligation, the responsibility, and intentional pledge to engage, respect, and protect the other’s liberty of conscience, without necessarily lending moral equivalency to the other’s resulting beliefs and behavior.”

He also argues that “Covenantal Pluralism requires a faithful patriotism that seeks an entrepreneurial competition—i.e., a cooperative competition that is loving, spirited, and constructive—that stands against the monopoly of religious nationalism. This Covenantal Pluralism, therefore, is not only the right thing to do, it is in everyone’s self-interest.”

“If we can pledge individually to respect, protect, and engage the other—without watering down our beliefs—then we can build a faithful patriotism that encourages, equips, and enables our capacity and skills to show respect for another, building multi-faith relationships as we integrate toward ‘a more perfect union.'”


One of the nation’s foremost experts on the intersection of faith and international affairs, Chris Seiple has traveled the world over, meeting with religious and political leaders of all faiths, and encountering what he calls “the worst of religion and the best of faith.” According to Seiple, the rise of religious nationalism poses dangers the world over, especially to religious minorities. In his talk, he will explore how to counter religious nationalism through what he calls “faithful patriotism” and “covenantal pluralism” – especially through the promotion of cross-cultural religious literacy. A former Marine Corps infantry officer, Chris Seiple has served as Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on the Role of Faith and is co-founder of The Cradle Fund, which restores endangered Christians and members of other religions/ethnic groups in the Middle East to safety.

Related Article: The Call of Covenantal Pluralism: Defeating Religious Nationalism with Faithful Patriotism
Related Event: Defeating Religious Nationalism with Faithful Patriotism