I
had difficulty consistently comprehending this book. I began reading
with great interest but soon became bogged down. The author's writing
style just did not resonate with my logic encrusted brain. I found he
was not concise and I sometimes lost track of what he was trying to
communicate. For example, while writing about maintaining unity in
the church when we differ on what the Bible says about an issue, he
has us go off to think about the pastor's job description. (Loc
1437-1481/4319) Near the end of that section he writes, “I suspect
you are beginning to feel how jumbled and complicated this topic is.”
(Loc 1492/4319) Yes.
I
do have some major concepts from the book. This is an era of
testiness in politics. We see confusion and conflict among Christians
too. Leeman's first goal for this book is for us to rethink politics
from a biblical perspective. He includes other goals as well but I
think his first goal is the major one.
Leeman
writes that we cannot separate politics and religion. All of life is
political and religious. Politics cannot be religiously neutral since
every human worships God or a god. “Politics serves worship.
Governments serve gods.” (Loc 660/4319) Behind every action is a
worldview and behind that worldview is a god. The public square, he
writes, “is a battleground of gods.” (Loc 693/4319) We can and
must separate church and state, however. They “possess distinct
God-given authorities with distinct jurisdictions.” (Loc 887/4319)
We
might look to the Bible to inform us on political issues. Leeman
writes, “...the Bible does not tell us what to do on trade policy,
carbon dioxide emissions, and public education. But it does tell us
that whatever we do in these domains will be measured by the
principles of righteousness and justice explicitly established in the
Bible.” (Loc 1525/4319) We live out those principles through our
local congregation. That requires God-given wisdom. Even Leeman notes
that different political viewpoints and various Christians have
differing views of what justice is. (Loc 3478/4319)
Leeman
writes, “...when the Bible isn't explicit and clear, let's leave
room for Christian freedom." (Loc 1709/4319) A great, even if often
repeated, suggestion. Leeman notes how easy it is to misread the
Bible. (Loc 1721/4319) He gives some principles on how to read the
Bible politically but notes it is complicated. (Loc 1732/4319)
At
one point, Leeman writes that his concern is “to help you know how
to have the conversation and think through different topics for
yourself.” (Loc 2074/4319) At another point, “The bottom line
here is that Christians need good judgment and wisdom.” (Loc
3122/4319) But how do we really help Christians develop that good
judgment and wisdom?
The
topic of this book is not an easy one and I felt this book is not an
easy one to read and digest. In the end, all I know for sure that
this is a complex topic. Progress would require thinking through
issues, something very hard to get politically adamant Christians to
do.
Food
for thought: “If there is hope for the nation, it's through the
witness and work of churches.” (Loc 4075/4319)
You
can watch the book trailer here.
You
can watch an interview with Leeman about the book here.
My
rating: 3/5 stars.
Jonathan
Leeman is the editorial director at 9Marks, a ministry that helps
church leaders build healthy churches. He teaches theology at several
seminaries and has written a number of books on the church. He is
also a research fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty
Commission. He has degrees in political science and English, a master
of science in political theory, a master of divinity, and a doctorate
in political theology. He lives in the DC area with his wife and
their daughters.
Thomas
Nelson, 272 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My
comments are an independent and honest review.
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