Littlejohn, W. Bradford, The Peril and Promise of Christian Liberty: Richard Hooker, the Puritans, and Protestant Political Theology.

This article reviews three recent scholarly studies (2017–2019) that examine the relationship between law and Reformed theology, particularly Calvinism, in the Early Modern period, each focusing on different aspects of political theology and its implications. Matthew J. Tuininga’s work analyzes John Calvin’s political theology through a detailed study of his biblical commentaries and theological writings, emphasizing Calvin’s "two kingdoms" doctrine and its potential relevance for modern liberal democracies, especially in the U.S. context. W. Bradford Littlejohn’s study centers on Richard Hooker and Puritan political theology, exploring Hooker’s nuanced legal theory and his concept of Christian liberty within the framework of church and state relations, highlighting its ongoing significance for contemporary political discourse. David P. Henreckson investigates early Reformed ideas of covenant, community, and political resistance, focusing on the development of resistance theory and the role of Johannes Althusius, employing a contextualist approach that incorporates original Latin sources and broader historical perspectives. Together, these works contribute to understanding how confessional theological doctrines shaped early modern legal and political thought, while also noting limitations such as a predominant focus on theological texts and Anglo-American scholarship, with further research needed on humanist and transconfessional influences.