Good News for the Public Square: A Biblical framework for Christian engagement

by Timothy Laurence, Mike Ovey, David McIlroy

Jesus Christ is good news for public life, and Christian contribution is needed now as much as ever. But what does this mean? Christianity has a controversial history in the public square, including involvement, withdrawal and appeasement. Today many Christians are left confused - resulting in either inactivity or division, just when our love and clarity are needed most. This foundational book lays out a biblical framework for Christian engagement. It shows God's purposes for government as a small picture of his own kingdom. This means we can see how, rightly understood, political theory points toward the gospel, and also how the gospel should shape our understanding and approach to the public square. The four chapters of the book demonstrate this with reference to the four key questions of the public square, asked by Christians and non-Christians alike: 1. Public Authority - what is the role of the authorities? 2. Public Truth - how can we know what is good? 3. Public Good - what is good for us? 4. Public Hope - how can this good be achieved? What are others saying about the book? "It is vitally important that Christians are involved in the public square but that involvement needs to be biblically faithful, theologically rigorous, Christ-centred, gospel-hearted and a practical expression of our call to love God and neighbour. This resource provides a wonderful guide to those seeking to find common Christian ground in such characteristics of engagement with law and government." Andrew Goddard, Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics "The gospel, which is the power of God to salvation, saves real people. In this sense, the gospel is private. But, is the gospel only private? ... Make no mistake: Jesus saves us from something for something. A purely privatised gospel fails to be the powerful gospel depicted scripturally. Read Good News for the Public Square and begin to explore how and why." Jeffery J. Ventrella, Alliance Defending Freedom

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 6, 2014

Reviews

[Isaac Hulse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunningly brilliant. As far as I'm aware this book provides a unique contribution to the Christian as they interact with the world around them. It is simply imperative that every Christian with even a hint of desire to be involved in the public square read this book. Indeed, if willing to persevere through its academic and sometimes technical structure and language, every Christian should read this book. It sheds so much light on why the public square can fit into the offer of the gospel narrative. In focusing on public authority, public good, public truth and public hope, the authors have potentiallt changed my life!