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Jesus and the Powers
Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies.
- GenresTheology
Paperback
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Tom Wright
85 books47 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 16, 2025
I felt like the book was written just for me.
I’ve been battling (internally) for quite a while with how to answer Christian nationalists in the UK and America, as well as passive Russian Christian friends who are living under a tyrannical dictator. Is building a so-called ‘Christian’ nation bent on behaviour modification of the masses really the eternal kingdom that Jesus called us to participate in building? What do we do with Romans 13:1-5 when our president is murdering civilians of another nation and kidnapping their children?
I suppose I knew the answers to these questions all along, but this book really helped articulate godly responses to these challenges. I feel more confident to join the discussion now.
I found myself wishing the book might address particular challenging cultural and social issues, but that isn’t Tom Wright and Michael F Bird’s intention. And I think they are wise to steer clear of them. Instead, they outline their case for a model of government which offers the optimal conditions (in western cultural contexts) in which Christians can strive to build for God’s kingdom.
I still have questions about how best to engage with politics, but I now feel like I have confidence in the foundation from which to start from. And I’m now even more excited and motivated to help build for God’s kingdom!
I’ve been battling (internally) for quite a while with how to answer Christian nationalists in the UK and America, as well as passive Russian Christian friends who are living under a tyrannical dictator. Is building a so-called ‘Christian’ nation bent on behaviour modification of the masses really the eternal kingdom that Jesus called us to participate in building? What do we do with Romans 13:1-5 when our president is murdering civilians of another nation and kidnapping their children?
I suppose I knew the answers to these questions all along, but this book really helped articulate godly responses to these challenges. I feel more confident to join the discussion now.
I found myself wishing the book might address particular challenging cultural and social issues, but that isn’t Tom Wright and Michael F Bird’s intention. And I think they are wise to steer clear of them. Instead, they outline their case for a model of government which offers the optimal conditions (in western cultural contexts) in which Christians can strive to build for God’s kingdom.
I still have questions about how best to engage with politics, but I now feel like I have confidence in the foundation from which to start from. And I’m now even more excited and motivated to help build for God’s kingdom!
October 4, 2025
Very well written. Addresses the challenge of living as a Christ follower in the theo-political climate of American society (applicable to the broader global situations). How to be a compassionate, concerned, and aware person living in challenging and ambiguous times. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews