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Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire
A thoughtful exploration of the intersection of faith and politics, Exiles What if we considered ourselves “exiles in Babylon” and turned to Scripture, not political parties, to shape our most passionate values?
Politics are dividing our churches like never before. New York Times–bestselling author Dr. Preston M. Sprinkle reminds us that the first-century church was not an apolitical gathering, where Christians left their Roman politics at the door. It also wasn’t a place where Christians mounted a Roman flag next to—or above—a Christian one. Church was a place where God’s plan for governing the world was revealed, where one could witness what it means to follow the Creator’s design for human flourishing.
In this timely book, Preston explores
Israel’s exile to Babylon profoundly shaped the political identity of God’s people—and still does today. Christians should see themselves as foreigners in the country where they live. The gospel of Jesus’ kingdom was politically subversive. The church today should view its political identity as fundamentally separate from the empire.
Total allegiance to a political party dilutes the church’s witness. Discover a more biblical, powerful way to live in a secular world. Discover what it means to live in exile.
Politics are dividing our churches like never before. New York Times–bestselling author Dr. Preston M. Sprinkle reminds us that the first-century church was not an apolitical gathering, where Christians left their Roman politics at the door. It also wasn’t a place where Christians mounted a Roman flag next to—or above—a Christian one. Church was a place where God’s plan for governing the world was revealed, where one could witness what it means to follow the Creator’s design for human flourishing.
In this timely book, Preston explores
Israel’s exile to Babylon profoundly shaped the political identity of God’s people—and still does today. Christians should see themselves as foreigners in the country where they live. The gospel of Jesus’ kingdom was politically subversive. The church today should view its political identity as fundamentally separate from the empire.
Total allegiance to a political party dilutes the church’s witness. Discover a more biblical, powerful way to live in a secular world. Discover what it means to live in exile.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2024
80 people are currently reading
997 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
May 16, 2024
4.5 stars. Why do people like Sprinkle and Boyd know how to summarize what conservative Anabaptists believe (on this subject) better than any CA writer? I'm annoyed. Something must be done.
November 25, 2024
Calling this an Anabaptist political theology feels self-congratulatory at a time when many of us are fat and comfortable in the shadow of empire and deeply invested (literally and spiritually) in Babylon’s game. But Sprinkle is drawing on the best of what the Anabaptist tradition has to say about politics, and I’m here for it.
Well sourced and highly readable—as popular theology should be.
Well sourced and highly readable—as popular theology should be.
June 9, 2024
Preston is gonna make plenty of people mad with this one but it is so so good. Prophetic is the best and most appropriate description I can use with this one. The best resource I can think of for how Christians should address political identity, in fact the most comprehensive explanation for how following Jesus is itself a political identity. Great stuff.
February 5, 2024
I had the privilege of receiving an advanced reader copy of this book; and from the moment it was delivered, I wasn't able to put it down. I have long held to an anabaptist(ish) political ethic; and I have been itching for a book that elucidates this kind of ethic in a manner that is thoroughly biblical, digestible, humble, and practical. This book certainly scratches that itch; and it will probably become my go-to recommendation for Christians seeking a biblical understanding of Christian political identity. I've enjoyed other books in this vein; but they often lack in at least one of the primary 'ingredients' listed above (biblical, digestible, humble, practical), whereas Sprinkle seems to strike a really healthy balance between all four.
As a biblical scholar, Sprinkle's approach is thoroughly exegetical and biblical-theological in nature. If you're looking for a book that approaches this topic from a political- or social-scientific perspective, this isn't the book for you. But if you're interested in a robust biblical treatment of political identity, this is an excellent resource. Beginning with Israel's Torah, Sprinkle spells out the ways in which God's covenant people have always been called to an 'upside-down' way of living. He highlights the political postures adopted by Israel throughout its national history, culminating in their identity as exiles in Babylon. Sprinkle compellingly argues that 'exile' is a healthy framework for understanding our political identity as Christians living in the shadow of empire. He traces this biblical-theological trajectory through the ministry of King Jesus, the counter-imperial tenor of Paul's letters, the exilic emphasis of Peter's letters, and the robust critique of empire in the book of Revelation.
Sprinkle's common refrain is that disciples need to embody a posture toward empire that is both submissive and subversive through prophetic witness. He recognizes that Christians are called to a kind of submission to governing authorities (Rom. 13), but balances this with the fact that empires have also been co-opted by Satan and are headed for destruction (Rev. 13, 19). Submission, he emphasizes, is not synonymous with allegiance, nor is it incompatible with subversive witness. Rather than placing our loyalty and trust in a satanically-energized empire, Sprinkle argues that the church, as an outpost of heaven, should be the 'polis' that we want to see in the world. This is far different from political detachment. Christianity is inherently political. But that politic should be embodied as a global church, and not as a self-interested nation-state. Toward the end of the book, Sprinkle offers several tangible examples of how this political ethic might be practically adopted by the church today.
Ultimately, Sprinkle offers a nuanced Christian political ethic that repudiates partisan political idolatry and prioritizes allegiance to the Kingdom of God. His message is insightful, prudent, and timely.
As a biblical scholar, Sprinkle's approach is thoroughly exegetical and biblical-theological in nature. If you're looking for a book that approaches this topic from a political- or social-scientific perspective, this isn't the book for you. But if you're interested in a robust biblical treatment of political identity, this is an excellent resource. Beginning with Israel's Torah, Sprinkle spells out the ways in which God's covenant people have always been called to an 'upside-down' way of living. He highlights the political postures adopted by Israel throughout its national history, culminating in their identity as exiles in Babylon. Sprinkle compellingly argues that 'exile' is a healthy framework for understanding our political identity as Christians living in the shadow of empire. He traces this biblical-theological trajectory through the ministry of King Jesus, the counter-imperial tenor of Paul's letters, the exilic emphasis of Peter's letters, and the robust critique of empire in the book of Revelation.
Sprinkle's common refrain is that disciples need to embody a posture toward empire that is both submissive and subversive through prophetic witness. He recognizes that Christians are called to a kind of submission to governing authorities (Rom. 13), but balances this with the fact that empires have also been co-opted by Satan and are headed for destruction (Rev. 13, 19). Submission, he emphasizes, is not synonymous with allegiance, nor is it incompatible with subversive witness. Rather than placing our loyalty and trust in a satanically-energized empire, Sprinkle argues that the church, as an outpost of heaven, should be the 'polis' that we want to see in the world. This is far different from political detachment. Christianity is inherently political. But that politic should be embodied as a global church, and not as a self-interested nation-state. Toward the end of the book, Sprinkle offers several tangible examples of how this political ethic might be practically adopted by the church today.
Ultimately, Sprinkle offers a nuanced Christian political ethic that repudiates partisan political idolatry and prioritizes allegiance to the Kingdom of God. His message is insightful, prudent, and timely.
June 25, 2025
A solid argument for viewing ourselves as exiles in Babylon (a separate people). I don't think this book was transformative for me, but definitely resonated with many of my beliefs that we should stay as far removed from politics as possible. I may have to recommend this to people who don't have such views
October 2, 2024
“Christ conquered by submitting to Rome's power, not by imitating it. The divine Lion was unleashed on the dragon by submitting to a Roman cross…when Christians think the best way to conquer evil in the world is by working through Babylon and using Babylonian means of power, how can we trust military power to conquer supposed enemies overseas, or how can we invest in certain government leaders who are clearly using Rome-like power to address whatever evil they believe exists within ther empire? Christian exiles who take Revelation seriously should be deeply suspicious of these tactics.”
May 31, 2024
3.8/5 — Even though this is almost a solid 4, I think I wanted to (and assumed I would) like this book more than I did. I truly admire Preston Sprinkle and all that he brings to ecclesiastical, cultural, and political discussions. He has a humble, gracious way of approaching and facilitating difficult, sometimes even potentially thorny topics. I saw this play out in full effect at the Exiles in Babylon conference a couple years ago. He brought people with differing opinions or worldviews together on the same stage/couch and conducted several healthy and respectful and important conversations.
With Exiles, the book, he wrote with the same humility but he was a bit more forward and opinionated, which is obviously totally fair and needed in a work like this one. A lot of people, myself included in the past, have sometimes been inclined to accuse Preston of occasionally skirting voicing his own convictions or interpretations of scriptures; and instead simply holding space for many others to share theirs. I have noticed many times in the last couple of years, however, when he’s disclosed his own views or beliefs about certain things, and one of the arenas he’s obviously the most vocal is in this political realm: that, politically, we as Jesus followers are exiles living in the shadow of an empire.
There were many fantastic moments in this book. I have included two standout quotes below, one from the first chapter and one from the last. On the other hand, two things that detracted from the overall excellence of the book were 1) occasional repetitiveness, and 2) Preston’s view of the identity of Babylon in Revelation. I believe that is 1st century Jerusalem, not Rome. So that chapter was all kinds of wrong or different from where I stand on a few things. It wasn’t a huge deal, but he did hinge a couple of his overall Babylon/empire points on interpreting that as Rome.
Outside of those, I’m still processing what he wrote about the 3 approaches or models that Christians choose for engagement with empire: detachment; transformation; and prophetic witness. There are countless nuances to consider here, even starting with defining and dissecting politics and government and what proper/biblical involvement in each looks like. His exhortation to live a submissive and subversive life of faith in public arenas was also thought-provoking and something I will really wrestle with as I try to apply some of the wisdom and insights he shared here.
Like I said, I wanted to like it more than I did, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it or get a lot out of it. It was quite good! And yes, I recommend it. ◡̈
Here are those terrific quotes…
~~Viewing ourselves as exiles living under a foreign empire should strengthen the church's unity and group identity. Imagine a world where our common baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus bonds us together much more than our political views. Imagine a world where you feel closer to a fellow believer, who voted differently than you do to someone who shares your political leanings. Imagine a world, where being left wing or right wing aren’t the only options, where Christ's kingdom creates a whole different way of viewing politics. I fear that we’ve so absorbed the narratives of our political surroundings that they’ve stunted our political and theological imagination. Secular politics has created a playing field with only the Left and the Right, liberals and conservatives. “Which one are you?” People ask “Are you left or right?” I long for the day when Christians confidently smile at this question and answer, “I am diagonal.”
To be clear, by renouncing, the left/right, political options and saying “I’m diagonal,” I am not at all arguing for a centrist, or moderate position that exists somewhere between the left/right options. Centrists are defined by the same political grid, whereas I’m arguing for a different grid altogether–– a political identity that doesn’t derive from the secular left/center/right options. Exiles don’t have to let Babylon (or any empire where they live) determine what their moral grid looks like or what categories are available.~~ (1st chapter)
~~Exiles don’t try to get ahead by destroying our enemies; instead, we are called to love them. True leadership is marked by humility, kindness, repentance, and self-giving love. Christians should feel nauseated, for instance, when we listen to partisan rhetoric where one side of the political aisle dehumanizes the other. This is a sickening violation of one of the most basic Christian values, that all people are created in God’s image. Until one party starts washing the feet of the other, we should pity their silly quest for power, not get sucked into it.~~ (Last chapter)
With Exiles, the book, he wrote with the same humility but he was a bit more forward and opinionated, which is obviously totally fair and needed in a work like this one. A lot of people, myself included in the past, have sometimes been inclined to accuse Preston of occasionally skirting voicing his own convictions or interpretations of scriptures; and instead simply holding space for many others to share theirs. I have noticed many times in the last couple of years, however, when he’s disclosed his own views or beliefs about certain things, and one of the arenas he’s obviously the most vocal is in this political realm: that, politically, we as Jesus followers are exiles living in the shadow of an empire.
There were many fantastic moments in this book. I have included two standout quotes below, one from the first chapter and one from the last. On the other hand, two things that detracted from the overall excellence of the book were 1) occasional repetitiveness, and 2) Preston’s view of the identity of Babylon in Revelation. I believe that is 1st century Jerusalem, not Rome. So that chapter was all kinds of wrong or different from where I stand on a few things. It wasn’t a huge deal, but he did hinge a couple of his overall Babylon/empire points on interpreting that as Rome.
Outside of those, I’m still processing what he wrote about the 3 approaches or models that Christians choose for engagement with empire: detachment; transformation; and prophetic witness. There are countless nuances to consider here, even starting with defining and dissecting politics and government and what proper/biblical involvement in each looks like. His exhortation to live a submissive and subversive life of faith in public arenas was also thought-provoking and something I will really wrestle with as I try to apply some of the wisdom and insights he shared here.
Like I said, I wanted to like it more than I did, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it or get a lot out of it. It was quite good! And yes, I recommend it. ◡̈
Here are those terrific quotes…
~~Viewing ourselves as exiles living under a foreign empire should strengthen the church's unity and group identity. Imagine a world where our common baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus bonds us together much more than our political views. Imagine a world where you feel closer to a fellow believer, who voted differently than you do to someone who shares your political leanings. Imagine a world, where being left wing or right wing aren’t the only options, where Christ's kingdom creates a whole different way of viewing politics. I fear that we’ve so absorbed the narratives of our political surroundings that they’ve stunted our political and theological imagination. Secular politics has created a playing field with only the Left and the Right, liberals and conservatives. “Which one are you?” People ask “Are you left or right?” I long for the day when Christians confidently smile at this question and answer, “I am diagonal.”
To be clear, by renouncing, the left/right, political options and saying “I’m diagonal,” I am not at all arguing for a centrist, or moderate position that exists somewhere between the left/right options. Centrists are defined by the same political grid, whereas I’m arguing for a different grid altogether–– a political identity that doesn’t derive from the secular left/center/right options. Exiles don’t have to let Babylon (or any empire where they live) determine what their moral grid looks like or what categories are available.~~ (1st chapter)
~~Exiles don’t try to get ahead by destroying our enemies; instead, we are called to love them. True leadership is marked by humility, kindness, repentance, and self-giving love. Christians should feel nauseated, for instance, when we listen to partisan rhetoric where one side of the political aisle dehumanizes the other. This is a sickening violation of one of the most basic Christian values, that all people are created in God’s image. Until one party starts washing the feet of the other, we should pity their silly quest for power, not get sucked into it.~~ (Last chapter)
March 28, 2025
Ich bin ein bisschen hin- und hergerissen. Sprinkle geht es darum, eine politische Identität für die Christenheit aus den biblischen Texten herauszuarbeiten. Er guckt sich dafür mehrere Schlüsselstellen bzw. -bücher an (besonders Philipper, 1. Petrus und Offenbarung) und legt sich damit auf das Bild von ChristInnen als ExilantInnen fest. Hab ich schon öfter von ihm gehört und bin froh, dass er das mal etwas weiter ausführt. Nur schade, dass er sich m.E. zu stark einzig auf seine eigene exegetische Arbeit bezieht und nicht so sehr mit anderen Positionen oder Herangehensweisen in eine Diskussion tritt.
Auch inhaltlich bin ich mit einigen Sachen unglücklich. Ein Beispiel: Obwohl er am Anfang explizit sagt, dass rechte Politik in den USA, bzw. im Evangelikalismus dominierend ist, hufeiselt er am Ende des Buchs die ganze Zeit rum, dass rechte und linke Versuche beide Gutes und Schlechtes an sich hätten. Da setzt er seine biblische Sicht m.E. zu sehr außerhalb jeder politischen Verordnung, was wohl seinem US-Kontext verschuldet ist, weil er politische Richtungen mit den beiden großen Parteien der USA gleichsetzt (für ihn ist rechts=republikanisch und links=demokratisch und weil wir ja ExilantInnen sind sollen wir uns nichts von diesen babylonischen Politiken zu 100% verschreiben). Etwas zu einfach, wenn es politische Konzepte gibt, die seinem Exil-Modell zum Verwechseln ähnlich sind: Anarchismus.
Auch inhaltlich bin ich mit einigen Sachen unglücklich. Ein Beispiel: Obwohl er am Anfang explizit sagt, dass rechte Politik in den USA, bzw. im Evangelikalismus dominierend ist, hufeiselt er am Ende des Buchs die ganze Zeit rum, dass rechte und linke Versuche beide Gutes und Schlechtes an sich hätten. Da setzt er seine biblische Sicht m.E. zu sehr außerhalb jeder politischen Verordnung, was wohl seinem US-Kontext verschuldet ist, weil er politische Richtungen mit den beiden großen Parteien der USA gleichsetzt (für ihn ist rechts=republikanisch und links=demokratisch und weil wir ja ExilantInnen sind sollen wir uns nichts von diesen babylonischen Politiken zu 100% verschreiben). Etwas zu einfach, wenn es politische Konzepte gibt, die seinem Exil-Modell zum Verwechseln ähnlich sind: Anarchismus.
October 10, 2024
While I agree with nearly all of Sprinkle’s conclusions; the path to get there wasn’t always clear. The central theme of the “United Stares is an empire (or at least, empire-like) that runs on Babylonian power” fell flat for me, and I’d have appreciated him more time making the case.
Biggest sticking point: there has to be a difference between how one participates in the Roman Empire vs. participating in Babylonian Empire vs. participating in British Empire vs. participating in a Federal Democratic Republic “empire like” USA. There has to be a difference in how power was centralized for every “empire” you’ve ever read about, and whatever level of centralized power you think we have today.
Biggest sticking point: there has to be a difference between how one participates in the Roman Empire vs. participating in Babylonian Empire vs. participating in British Empire vs. participating in a Federal Democratic Republic “empire like” USA. There has to be a difference in how power was centralized for every “empire” you’ve ever read about, and whatever level of centralized power you think we have today.
October 10, 2024
If you’re looking for a way to navigate the politics of our world today as a follower of Christ and a citizen of His Kingdom, this book is for you. This read was very timely and encouraging.
December 25, 2024
4.5 stars.
Audiobooked this. Really enjoyed it! I thought Preston did a really faithful job of presenting a biblical theology of living as exiles in Babylon. He had helpful applications too as to what this looks like in a 21st century American context. His sustained emphasis on a Christ-centered politic was encouraging and challenging.
I would have liked a little more unpacking of the differences between Christian living in 1st century Rome (a Babylon of that day) and 21st century America (a Babylon of our own). I’m not sure the differences in political engagement in a monarchy and democracy were fully appreciated.
Audiobooked this. Really enjoyed it! I thought Preston did a really faithful job of presenting a biblical theology of living as exiles in Babylon. He had helpful applications too as to what this looks like in a 21st century American context. His sustained emphasis on a Christ-centered politic was encouraging and challenging.
I would have liked a little more unpacking of the differences between Christian living in 1st century Rome (a Babylon of that day) and 21st century America (a Babylon of our own). I’m not sure the differences in political engagement in a monarchy and democracy were fully appreciated.
April 8, 2025
Christian people— This is a book we need even if it’s a book we don’t want.
March 17, 2024
Anyone who has engaged with Preston Sprinkle for any meaningful amount of time will be familiar with his language of exile. He frequently suggests that Christians should consider themselves exiles in a foreign empire and should direct their allegiance firmly to Jesus Christ and his kingdom of light. Exiles is his most thorough discussion of the topic.
Throughout the book, he uses “Babylon” as symbolic of earthly, power-hungry empires, acting on the assumption that “Babylon” in the New Testament is a cryptic reference to Rome. While I personally think that the New Testament writers used Babylon as code for Jerusalem rather than Babylon, his argument is not entirely dependent on this identification.
He argues that the church is not an apolitical entity but one that roots its political identity firmly in allegiance to King Jesus. Allegiance to King Jesus means that Christians cannot give their ultimate allegiance to anyone or anything else. This means that the Christian’s political engagement cannot be ultimately guided by partisan standards.
Positively, Sprinkle spends much time wrestling with the text of Scripture. He is committed to understanding what the text teaches about a Christian political identity. He also spends a fair amount of time discussing how the church in the early centuries viewed itself against the backdrop of the Roman Empire.
More negatively, the book seems more repetitive than I am accustomed to reading from Sprinkle. Perhaps it is simply the nature of the topic at hand, but I found myself speed-reading sizeable chunks of material that I thought he had adequately addressed in preceding chapters.
On a few occasions, he appears to almost contradict himself. For example, he urges Christians against relying on political power to accomplish what the church itself should be doing, but then seems to commend civil rights leaders for utilising political power in their fight for equal rights.
This book will likely not sit well with anyone whose allegiance is firmly aligned with any particular partisan politic, but if it drives the reader back to Scripture to ask questions of the text, it will have accomplished its goal.
Throughout the book, he uses “Babylon” as symbolic of earthly, power-hungry empires, acting on the assumption that “Babylon” in the New Testament is a cryptic reference to Rome. While I personally think that the New Testament writers used Babylon as code for Jerusalem rather than Babylon, his argument is not entirely dependent on this identification.
He argues that the church is not an apolitical entity but one that roots its political identity firmly in allegiance to King Jesus. Allegiance to King Jesus means that Christians cannot give their ultimate allegiance to anyone or anything else. This means that the Christian’s political engagement cannot be ultimately guided by partisan standards.
Positively, Sprinkle spends much time wrestling with the text of Scripture. He is committed to understanding what the text teaches about a Christian political identity. He also spends a fair amount of time discussing how the church in the early centuries viewed itself against the backdrop of the Roman Empire.
More negatively, the book seems more repetitive than I am accustomed to reading from Sprinkle. Perhaps it is simply the nature of the topic at hand, but I found myself speed-reading sizeable chunks of material that I thought he had adequately addressed in preceding chapters.
On a few occasions, he appears to almost contradict himself. For example, he urges Christians against relying on political power to accomplish what the church itself should be doing, but then seems to commend civil rights leaders for utilising political power in their fight for equal rights.
This book will likely not sit well with anyone whose allegiance is firmly aligned with any particular partisan politic, but if it drives the reader back to Scripture to ask questions of the text, it will have accomplished its goal.
March 5, 2024
‘The proclamation “Jesus is King” is a political statement and creates a new lens through which we view the politics of Babylon. It’s all too common for us moderns to begin with political categories and then hustle these back to Scripture to see which ones are most “biblical.” But what often happens is that our values are already ( sometimes unconsciously) shaped by Babylonian categories, nurtured by a steady drip of propaganda, and then we find verses to support our preconceived commitments. …
'The problem is that Jesus doesn’t neatly fit into any one point along our modern political spectrum. His kingdom is not of this world, and neither are his kingdom values.’ (Pg 95)
My only complaint about this book is that it didn’t come out sooner.
'The problem is that Jesus doesn’t neatly fit into any one point along our modern political spectrum. His kingdom is not of this world, and neither are his kingdom values.’ (Pg 95)
My only complaint about this book is that it didn’t come out sooner.
April 14, 2025
Good audio book listen. Short book. Some good things in here Americans need to hear today. Short blurb from ChatGPT below describing the main takeaway for me… in two words, “prophetic witness.”
In his book Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire, Dr. Preston Sprinkle employs the phrase “prophetic witness” to articulate the role of Christians in contemporary society. This concept is presented as an alternative to two other approaches: detachment, which involves withdrawing from societal engagement, and transformation, which seeks to reform society through direct involvement. Instead, “prophetic witness” advocates for a posture that is both submissive and subversive, engaging with society while maintaining allegiance to God’s kingdom rather than to earthly powers.
In his book Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire, Dr. Preston Sprinkle employs the phrase “prophetic witness” to articulate the role of Christians in contemporary society. This concept is presented as an alternative to two other approaches: detachment, which involves withdrawing from societal engagement, and transformation, which seeks to reform society through direct involvement. Instead, “prophetic witness” advocates for a posture that is both submissive and subversive, engaging with society while maintaining allegiance to God’s kingdom rather than to earthly powers.
August 30, 2024
Really helpful scriptural context, especially around the political nature of the early church.
March 6, 2024
It is exciting, refreshing, and encouraging to find intelligent work being produced by members of the church around relevant societal issues. Exiles challenges the christian reader to question where their allegiances: with the kingdom of God or nation of the world. As Preston challenges followers of christ to revaluate who they are putting the allegiance and their hope in, he lays out an argument for a biblical based political view.
In the context of the 1st century world, the church was by its nature political. Something we should today reflect on and embrace. Not in the typical right vs left way we often think about, but rather as members of the political nation of God as well as "Exiles in Babylon". We live in a nation not are own as did the Israelites, the 1st century church, and all christians since. Instead of finding answers on any specific political issue facing our world today, we should look to the Bible to inform our foundation of politics first before engaging with secular voices.
If you are looking for a to-the-point introduction on how Christians should form their political views in Biblical thinking, this is the book for you. It is a quick paced walk through of how we can reshape our thinking to reflect our nature as Exiles in a nation not our own.
In the context of the 1st century world, the church was by its nature political. Something we should today reflect on and embrace. Not in the typical right vs left way we often think about, but rather as members of the political nation of God as well as "Exiles in Babylon". We live in a nation not are own as did the Israelites, the 1st century church, and all christians since. Instead of finding answers on any specific political issue facing our world today, we should look to the Bible to inform our foundation of politics first before engaging with secular voices.
If you are looking for a to-the-point introduction on how Christians should form their political views in Biblical thinking, this is the book for you. It is a quick paced walk through of how we can reshape our thinking to reflect our nature as Exiles in a nation not our own.
November 2, 2025
An excellent summary of how I’ve been thinking through my place in political issues as a follower of Jesus. This book was a breath of fresh air in a time when I’ve felt increasingly at odds with the church and its entanglement in American politics. Sprinkle bases everything in scripture and is clear when he’s simply sharing an opinion. His thorough explanation of how God’s upside-down kingdom was set up and appeared throughout the Bible was really helpful to me, even though I’ve heard bits and pieces of it before. Jesus is King ✌️
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July 15, 2025Sprinkle argues that our citizenship in God’s kingdom makes us exiles in the kingdoms of this world. He compares the United States to Babylon, in the sense that Christians should view themselves as exiles in a foreign land, seeking the good of the people of the land but not looking to an earthly kingdom for hope or rescue. He challenges Christians to take a second look at their political views: have they been shaped by the word and kingdom of God or by the subtle (or not so subtle) messages of the bipartisan kingdom of America?
I appreciated much of Sprinkle’s message. However, he based much of his reasoning off of early Christian relationship to Rome, some of which sounded quite different from what I’ve heard before.
I appreciated much of Sprinkle’s message. However, he based much of his reasoning off of early Christian relationship to Rome, some of which sounded quite different from what I’ve heard before.
December 20, 2024
Okay, at best. There is good and bad. For that, it gets a 3.
Good:
I appreciated Sprinkles' tone throughout the book. He is very charitable and gracious to "both sides of the aisle" and does as best he can to not ride a donkey or an elephant. For this, I am grateful.
Along with this, Sprinkle is well researched, and it shows. This book works as a biblical theology over the topic of "exiles," and frankly, he does a pretty good job. I would disagree with some of his assertions and would be more nuanced than him, but generally speaking, he did a fine job.
Sprinkle also does a great job at showing that Jesus was not apolitical but was indeed political. In fact, the whole story of the Bible is intertwined with politics, and Spinkle affirms this, which was a big relief for me personally.
Finally, Sprinkle loves Jesus and wants people to give their full allegiance not to a party, but a king, THE King. His overall message sounds the clarion call to submit to Jesus and no one else. For this, I am thankful.
Bad:
I agreed with pretty much all Sprinkles' premises within this book. However, the conclusions that he draws from those premises, I think, miss the mark.
Sprinkle says that all governmental powers are demonic and that the government is always Babylon. I think he would say the Bible always critiques empires and never praises them. He has a very low view of government. This idea takes him down lots of roads that I can not go down.
Sprinkle would by no means say he is anti government or a separatist (he says these explicitly in the book). However, when talking about how the Bible instructs us to act politically, he many times says that we "shouldn't use Babylon to change Babylon" and that we should act in a way that shows "subversive submissiveness". This goes 180 degrees in the other direction from my political views (which i would draw from the Bible). Being that I'm Kuyperian, Presbyterian and Opimistic Amil/postmil, when I read 1 Peter 2 or Romans 13, Esther, or even Matthew 28, where our King Jesus says, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18) I would say governments are good, and they ought to submit to Jesus no questions asked, and if they don't, they are wrong. They should "reward those who do good and punish those who do evil" (Romans 13). How do we know what is good vs. evil? We look at the book. We should be involved in culture and politics so that we can influence it. Christians ought to lead the culture war and political landscape. (This is all my opinion) Sprinkle would strongly disagree with this.
He affirms the "prophetic witness" application and not the "transformation" approach to politics, which would be closer to what I would affirm (Ch. 9). When he thinks of politics, he believes we need to "not play Babylons game" but instead "live peaceful and quiet lives" (1 Thesselonians). I would disagree (also I think that verse applies to my reading) and say we can influence culture, the world, and society using politics.
He also argues that anytime in history, when the church has worked with governments (or vice versa) in some way, it has always been negative, and he lists several examples. But really? Always? What about Ephesus? Geneva? Early America? Rome under Constantine? The Netherlands under Kuyper? Never? I'm not saying these were always perfect. But I definitely do not agree that the church using the government as a Trojan horse is always bad. The West was built not on atheistic or secular or amoral principles but on Christian ones. That's why the West has better cultures than that of other nations. Because Christianity has led the charge.
There are many more tiffs regarding just this topic, but this review is too long.
A final one is that this book does seem to be aimed at conservatives. Many of his applications are for conservatives, and many of his illustrations are supporting democrats. This is minor as I do not care about this, and it's impossible to be perfectly 50/50 on rebuke and support for both sides, so I sympathise with Sprinkle. However, it's pretty easy to tell he has a preference (which he mentions), and it comes through. It's not quite the "punch right coddle left" tone, so if you're a conservative, you won't get your feelings hurt if you read this, maybe just have minor frustrations. But it is leaning more one way than the other, so if this bothers you, now you know.
Overall:
Okay.
Good:
I appreciated Sprinkles' tone throughout the book. He is very charitable and gracious to "both sides of the aisle" and does as best he can to not ride a donkey or an elephant. For this, I am grateful.
Along with this, Sprinkle is well researched, and it shows. This book works as a biblical theology over the topic of "exiles," and frankly, he does a pretty good job. I would disagree with some of his assertions and would be more nuanced than him, but generally speaking, he did a fine job.
Sprinkle also does a great job at showing that Jesus was not apolitical but was indeed political. In fact, the whole story of the Bible is intertwined with politics, and Spinkle affirms this, which was a big relief for me personally.
Finally, Sprinkle loves Jesus and wants people to give their full allegiance not to a party, but a king, THE King. His overall message sounds the clarion call to submit to Jesus and no one else. For this, I am thankful.
Bad:
I agreed with pretty much all Sprinkles' premises within this book. However, the conclusions that he draws from those premises, I think, miss the mark.
Sprinkle says that all governmental powers are demonic and that the government is always Babylon. I think he would say the Bible always critiques empires and never praises them. He has a very low view of government. This idea takes him down lots of roads that I can not go down.
Sprinkle would by no means say he is anti government or a separatist (he says these explicitly in the book). However, when talking about how the Bible instructs us to act politically, he many times says that we "shouldn't use Babylon to change Babylon" and that we should act in a way that shows "subversive submissiveness". This goes 180 degrees in the other direction from my political views (which i would draw from the Bible). Being that I'm Kuyperian, Presbyterian and Opimistic Amil/postmil, when I read 1 Peter 2 or Romans 13, Esther, or even Matthew 28, where our King Jesus says, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18) I would say governments are good, and they ought to submit to Jesus no questions asked, and if they don't, they are wrong. They should "reward those who do good and punish those who do evil" (Romans 13). How do we know what is good vs. evil? We look at the book. We should be involved in culture and politics so that we can influence it. Christians ought to lead the culture war and political landscape. (This is all my opinion) Sprinkle would strongly disagree with this.
He affirms the "prophetic witness" application and not the "transformation" approach to politics, which would be closer to what I would affirm (Ch. 9). When he thinks of politics, he believes we need to "not play Babylons game" but instead "live peaceful and quiet lives" (1 Thesselonians). I would disagree (also I think that verse applies to my reading) and say we can influence culture, the world, and society using politics.
He also argues that anytime in history, when the church has worked with governments (or vice versa) in some way, it has always been negative, and he lists several examples. But really? Always? What about Ephesus? Geneva? Early America? Rome under Constantine? The Netherlands under Kuyper? Never? I'm not saying these were always perfect. But I definitely do not agree that the church using the government as a Trojan horse is always bad. The West was built not on atheistic or secular or amoral principles but on Christian ones. That's why the West has better cultures than that of other nations. Because Christianity has led the charge.
There are many more tiffs regarding just this topic, but this review is too long.
A final one is that this book does seem to be aimed at conservatives. Many of his applications are for conservatives, and many of his illustrations are supporting democrats. This is minor as I do not care about this, and it's impossible to be perfectly 50/50 on rebuke and support for both sides, so I sympathise with Sprinkle. However, it's pretty easy to tell he has a preference (which he mentions), and it comes through. It's not quite the "punch right coddle left" tone, so if you're a conservative, you won't get your feelings hurt if you read this, maybe just have minor frustrations. But it is leaning more one way than the other, so if this bothers you, now you know.
Overall:
Okay.
March 19, 2024
I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this booked for months, and it did NOT disappoint! With the nightmarish déjà vu of the upcoming 2024 election, this book was just what I needed to remind me of how to filter the events of the next 7+ months (and beyond) through the lens of my true citizenship with the global Kingdom of God…not the “Babylon” (ie: my home country) that I am a foreigner in.
The book is a fairly easy read and not too in-depth, despite his theological study into the topic. I can’t even begin to share what I loved about the book, because I think I underlined half of it. I will absolutely be reading this again between now and November when the politics of my personal “Babylon” begin to pull at my heart and cause me to see others, especially my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, as enemies rather than image bearers and fellow citizens of the Kingdom. I don’t think I’m overstating it by saying that this book is a must read for all followers of Christ in the lead up to November.
The book is a fairly easy read and not too in-depth, despite his theological study into the topic. I can’t even begin to share what I loved about the book, because I think I underlined half of it. I will absolutely be reading this again between now and November when the politics of my personal “Babylon” begin to pull at my heart and cause me to see others, especially my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, as enemies rather than image bearers and fellow citizens of the Kingdom. I don’t think I’m overstating it by saying that this book is a must read for all followers of Christ in the lead up to November.
April 8, 2025
Wow I loved this book!!!! Preston managed to remain politically neutral (in the best way) while also not implying that Christians shouldn’t care about what’s happening in the world around us. If you struggle with beliefs and ideologies on both sides of our countries two party system — READ THIS BOOK 👏🏼 (especially chapter 9🔥🔥)
Some quotes I want to remember:
“If we can’t love and honor a brother or sister in Christ because he/she does or doesn’t wear a mask, how are we going to take on the cosmic powers of this darkness against evil (Ephesians 6)?”
“Let the scriptural theme of exile shape your political identity.”
“The church cares deeply about justice, but is hesitant in teaming up with the state to achieve it.”
“The church is the only present institution that God promises to redeem.”
Some quotes I want to remember:
“If we can’t love and honor a brother or sister in Christ because he/she does or doesn’t wear a mask, how are we going to take on the cosmic powers of this darkness against evil (Ephesians 6)?”
“Let the scriptural theme of exile shape your political identity.”
“The church cares deeply about justice, but is hesitant in teaming up with the state to achieve it.”
“The church is the only present institution that God promises to redeem.”
May 11, 2025
There's a lot of truth "sprinkled" throughout this great book. The author's description of the church as a politically subversive community wielding a counterculture set of values against the kingdoms of this world was something my Anabaptist concept of separation of church and state could really resonate with. I enjoyed this!!
5/11/25 Update:
I'm removing a star because Mr Sprinkle sidestepped the issue of serving in the Empire's military. I think this is an important though probably unpopular stance to discuss, but I feel like it shouldn't have been left off the table especially when the author was willing to air his views on abortion, immigration and voting in a chapter specially dedicated to exploring what an exile value system practically applied should look like.
5/11/25 Update:
I'm removing a star because Mr Sprinkle sidestepped the issue of serving in the Empire's military. I think this is an important though probably unpopular stance to discuss, but I feel like it shouldn't have been left off the table especially when the author was willing to air his views on abortion, immigration and voting in a chapter specially dedicated to exploring what an exile value system practically applied should look like.
March 22, 2024
This book made me think and I like that. I appreciate all the research that went into the book, both of the Roman Empire and Babylon and the Biblical text concerning empire. As a listener of the author's podcast I knew what to expect so there was no big "Ah ha" moments but I enjoyed it.
May 18, 2024
Listened to as audiobook so I’m not sure if it counts as a Goodreads book. Anyways great content, not as much of a specific theology of political engagement but more of a theological approach to political engagement that I can’t help but sympathize with. Babylon stinks
July 16, 2024
I’ve loved all of Preston’s books. This one was a bit repetitive at the beginning. The last chapter felt like it wrapped up a lot of my questions about how the previous chapters relate to us today. So much fascinating political and cultural context regarding the early church!
February 20, 2025
I was fascinated and challenged by this book! To read the Bible and the New Testament, especially, as political has been meaningful and clarifying for me. I appreciated the call for prophetic witness.
March 20, 2024
A short read, but really solid. This is one I wish every follower of Jesus in America would read, especially as we find ourselves in the midst of another contentious, polarizing election year.
April 25, 2024
Not competent to evaluate exegesis, but I appreciate any resource pointing towards the cruciform nature of God's kingdom. May we learn to live as exiles amidst empire rather than compromise our witness by seeking worldly power to coerce others in the name of Jesus.
January 25, 2025
Good! Not my fave sprinkle book, a bit repetitive at times and I wished it went deeper on some topics at the end. Good for those exploring living in between political parties: very charitable. Short and easy read.
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