Religion, Sovereignty, Messianism

This chapter focuses on political theology in the seventeenth century through the language of scripture. It talks about the two most dynamic Protestant states of the early modern period, the Dutch Republic and England. It assesses how the identification with Jews provided the theological underpinning for the Dutch Republic and England's self-image as divinely chosen, as well as the theological grammar for the two nations' internal political arguments. The chapter discusses the “Mosaic Republic” as a key reference point of the Dutch Republic and England's polities in the seventeenth century. It also talks about the political fascination with the Jews as an important force in shaping more welcoming policies, such as the readmission of Jews to England in 1656.