TheologicoPoliticus

Theologico-Political Treatise, or Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, is a 1670 work by Baruch Spinoza published anonymously in Amsterdam. It constitutes a foundational text in early modern liberal and secular political thought, challenging the political authority of religious institutions and arguing for the freedom of philosophical inquiry.

The central claim is that theology and politics must be kept separate. Spinoza contends that civil peace and the protection of individual liberty depend on limiting religious power over political life. He argues that scripture is not a universal political authority but a product of human interpretation, historical context, and social needs. Therefore, political authority should be derived from reasoned public safety and covenant among citizens, not from divine command alone.

Key doctrines include religious toleration, freedom of conscience, and the right of the state to interpret and regulate religious practice to preserve civil order. Spinoza also maintains that biblical prophecies and miracles do not establish political legitimacy, and he treats religion as primarily a practical guide for morality rather than a source of political law. He advocates reading Scripture in its historical milieu and stresses that philosophical inquiry should not be subordinate to ecclesiastical power.

The treatise provoked intense controversy, contributing to Spinoza’s excommunication from some communities and provoking strong church and state opposition. It later influenced Enlightenment thinkers and liberal political theory, contributing to arguments for the separation of church and state, freedom of speech, and freedom of conscience.