Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies
Digital Logos Edition
Overview
Should Christians be politically withdrawn, avoiding participation in politics to maintain their prophetic voice and keep from being used as political pawns? Or should Christians be actively involved, seeking to control and utilize political systems to control the levers of power?
In Jesus and the Powers, N.T. Wright and Michael Bird argue that Christians should pursue active involvement in ways that encourage and sustain liberal democratic systems while opposing both totalitarianism and nationalism. They argue that Christians should faithfully and earnestly contribute to free democratic societies and vigorously oppose political schemes based on autocracy and nationalism.
Wright and Bird outline a Christian approach to political engagement with reflections on their relevance to current events, including the Russian-Ukraine conflict, China-Taiwan tension, political turmoil in the USA, UK, and Australia, as well as to the problem of white Christian nationalism.
- Argues that Christians should pursue active involvement in ways that encourage and sustain liberal democratic systems
- Outlines a Christian approach to political engagement with reflections on their relevance to current events
- Reflects on current events
- Title: Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies
- Authors: Michael F. Bird, N. T. Wright
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Christianity and politics; Power (Christian theology); RELIGION / Christianity / General; RELIGION / Christian Living / Social Issues
- ISBNs: 9780310162254, 9780310162247, 0310162254, 0310162246
- Resource ID: LLS:JSSNTPWRS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-16T18:39:08Z
Reviews
2 ratings
J Peter Wilson
6/1/2024
I have been thinking of buying this book, as our UK General Election has been called for 4th July. I therefore bought a print copy last weekend at the Big Church Festival in Sussex. This is an excellent book that gives the reader an insight into how the message of Jesus has been a positive influence on politics and power, but also how some leaders over the years have wrapped themselves in a 'Christian Flag' for their ends. This book helps the reader, as a Follower of Jesus, to understand the powers of today and how we need to bring the Light of the Christian Message to be an influence on today's political world. I have put the Logos Digital version on my Wish List.John K Bryant
5/7/2024
The concept of achieving political victory at the expense of our Christianity is no victory. The primary role of a Christian is to remain faithful in a political world. Wright and Bird review the history of Christianity in various environments of empires and its successes and failures in such encounters. They bring in a good overview of theological thought on those encounters both past and present. They provide context that one can use to discern a path forward in the world today. Instead of providing a prescription for individual issues they provide a framework in which to live. I found it an excellent short read to assist in making sense of today’s, or any day’s , chaos of voices, for the advancement of the kingdom of God.
