John Locke and the non-separation of Church and State

Date: Wed, 10 June 2026 · 17:00 - 18:30
Cost: Free
Venue: Schwarzman Centre - Room 00.063
Address: Schwarzman Centre, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG, United Kingdom
Event page: https://events.ox.ac.uk/oxford_event/e13ccae8-ce3f-f111-88b4-7ced8d9a5614

John Locke and the non-separation of Church and State 🕮⚖️

Mark Goldie presents an historical account of John Locke’s relationship between religion and civil life, challenging the common liberal reading of Locke. The lecture examines Letter Concerning Toleration (1689), considers religious toleration, the secularisation of politics and the separation of church and state, and argues that Locke remained a Christian theologian committed to the unity of the church and the duty of evangelism.

What to expect:

  • 📚 A historical account of Locke’s views on toleration and the public role of religion
  • ⚖️ Discussion of religious toleration, secularisation of politics, and separation of church and state
  • 🗣️ A scholarly challenge to the liberal caricature of Locke, emphasising his theological commitments