Jesus Rode a Donkey by Linda Seger ThD

Seger says about one in five Christian evangelicals vote Democrat. If you find that surprising, this is a good book to help you understand why. The major issue, she says, is the role of government in helping its citizens. “This book is written as a kind of Christian Political Apologetic. It is meant to clarify what we, as Christian Democrats, believe and why we believe it.” (xix)

Seger shares her own experience and that of her sister of how the government helped them in their times of need. She found Democrats to be compassionate and tolerant.

She explores how we develop a social and global consciousness and how our Christian values inform our political decisions. She identifies the sort of Christian belief system and priorities that would lean one toward being a Democrat (e.g. an emphasis on social justice). She covers concepts like whether we see others as enemies or neighbors, whether we think the U.S. is a “Christian” nation, whether the government is to favor the wealthy or the poor, what we see as the Christian's responsibility to global issues, and more.

This is not an objective book. Seger is openly biased toward the Democrat political view and freely defends some of its more controversial issues. I don't agree with her views on homosexuality and abortion, nor do I agree with her defense of the Democratic positions on those issues. Conservative evangelical Christians may find this part of her book very irritating. I don't agree with her idea of a “Cosmic” Christ nor other areas of her Quaker spirituality that I feel stray from biblical truth.

Nonetheless, I recommend evangelical Christians read this book, especially if you want to understand why people vote differently than you do. Why would I recommend a book when I don't agree with many of the views presented? Paraphrasing Rosaria Butterfield, when everyone thinks the same, nobody thinks very deeply. It is good for us to read books with views different from our own. It makes us think about our own views and why we hold them. Seger's comments on our Christian responsibilities to the poor and strangers, her thoughts on war and fiscal responsibility, and the nature of politics were very thought provoking. There is an extensive Study Guide included.

You can find out more about the book at http://jesusrodeadonkey.com/.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Linda Seger, ThD, is a theologian, author, and speaker with degrees in English, Drama and Theology. She comes from a long line of Lutherans and is now a Quaker. She is married and lives in Cascade, Colorado.

Haven Books, 298 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through The Book Club Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.