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Jesus and Politics: Confronting the Powers
From Augustine to Solzhenitsyn, Christians have struggled with the meaning of faith and politics, and the landscape of those who have tried to combine the two is littered with distortion and confusion. Alan Storkey examines the politics of Jesus, reading out from the life and work of Jesus instead of reading into the New Testament with a preconceived agenda. With this work, Storkey presents a thorough narrative reading of the Gospels, moving into issues of political philosophy, principle, and practice. Unlike other authors who focus on political themes, Storkey provides a significant, unique contribution by focusing on politics itself. Jesus and Politics will appeal to students of the New Testament, Christianity and culture, politics, and economics as well as thoughtful readers interested in Jesus studies and politics.
- GenresPoliticsChristianity
336 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 7, 2020
I have found this to be a very readable and illuminating book that helps put the gospel accounts within the first century political context. I went away appreciating much better the words and deeds of Jesus as well as the pathos of the people around him. In a story-telling fashion, one is taken through a captivating historical tour through the political events leading up to and surrounding the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. Lots of interesting stories (some pretty gruesome ones though)surrounding the prominent first century political personages and parties. Herod the Great and his son, Herod Antipas, received quite detailed and interesting treatments perhaps to provide the contrasting backdrop against which we see the emergence of Jesus' gentle and compassionate rule.
The book successfully disabuses one of any a-political or other-worldly conception of what Jesus came to do and proclaim. Indeed, the kingdom of God, which is the central message of Jesus, is charged with unmistakable political overtone and the first century audience would have not missed the implicit challenge of Jesus' claims of Messiahship against the powers that be - be it the Herods, the Jewish temple establishment or Caesar. Yet, the kingship of Jesus is so unlike anything in the world that it effectually turns the worldly systems of power and domination upside down.
One small shortcoming of Storkey's conception of God's kingdom, if i should nitpick a little, is that while trying to steer clear from the coercive model of worldly politics, Storkey's kingdom of God at times sounds little more than a voluntary club, where individual choice reigns supreme. Surely, the enthronement of Jesus the King issues more than a polite invitation. It is rather more like an authoritative summons: 'Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth, down on your knees!'
Though this book does not delve deep, as one might wish, into the complexities of how the politics of Jesus actually works out in our contemporary world - e.g. issues of state-church relation, forms of government, just war theory and pacifism, pluralism and political toleration and so on, it lays out a basic groundwork for further critical reflections on these knotty and complex issues. His chapter on the taxation issue could be a starting point and model of how Jesus' political approach would subvert the worldly systems.
However, even if political theory is not what one is after, this book is still a boon for bible readers, teachers and pastors as it serves as a highly enlightening account of Jesus' political milieu, which makes sense of everything we read about in the gospels. For many like me who have been reading the bible for decades with only a passing regard for first century Jewish history and political struggles, one will get the exhilarating sense that this book presents in Philip Yancey's words 'the Jesus I never knew'!
The book successfully disabuses one of any a-political or other-worldly conception of what Jesus came to do and proclaim. Indeed, the kingdom of God, which is the central message of Jesus, is charged with unmistakable political overtone and the first century audience would have not missed the implicit challenge of Jesus' claims of Messiahship against the powers that be - be it the Herods, the Jewish temple establishment or Caesar. Yet, the kingship of Jesus is so unlike anything in the world that it effectually turns the worldly systems of power and domination upside down.
One small shortcoming of Storkey's conception of God's kingdom, if i should nitpick a little, is that while trying to steer clear from the coercive model of worldly politics, Storkey's kingdom of God at times sounds little more than a voluntary club, where individual choice reigns supreme. Surely, the enthronement of Jesus the King issues more than a polite invitation. It is rather more like an authoritative summons: 'Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth, down on your knees!'
Though this book does not delve deep, as one might wish, into the complexities of how the politics of Jesus actually works out in our contemporary world - e.g. issues of state-church relation, forms of government, just war theory and pacifism, pluralism and political toleration and so on, it lays out a basic groundwork for further critical reflections on these knotty and complex issues. His chapter on the taxation issue could be a starting point and model of how Jesus' political approach would subvert the worldly systems.
However, even if political theory is not what one is after, this book is still a boon for bible readers, teachers and pastors as it serves as a highly enlightening account of Jesus' political milieu, which makes sense of everything we read about in the gospels. For many like me who have been reading the bible for decades with only a passing regard for first century Jewish history and political struggles, one will get the exhilarating sense that this book presents in Philip Yancey's words 'the Jesus I never knew'!
March 17, 2015
I periodically make a mental list of five books to grab in case of fire. "Jesus and Politics: Confronting the Powers" is always number one on my list.
I live and work at the crossroads of politics and faith. Many of my friends in the faith category don't understand how I can be a man of faith and work in the "unholy" political arena. Many of my friends in the politics category wonder what a man of faith is doing amongst them. Storkey breaks down the walls by demonstrating how radical Jesus was in confronting the "powers that be".
Storkey makes a convincing case that the Kingdom of God presents a radical challenge to earthly kingdoms and power structures.
I live and work at the crossroads of politics and faith. Many of my friends in the faith category don't understand how I can be a man of faith and work in the "unholy" political arena. Many of my friends in the politics category wonder what a man of faith is doing amongst them. Storkey breaks down the walls by demonstrating how radical Jesus was in confronting the "powers that be".
Storkey makes a convincing case that the Kingdom of God presents a radical challenge to earthly kingdoms and power structures.
September 28, 2011
This is a worthwhile read. It took me a while to start getting really into it. But, I love the way Storkey takes the reader through the Gospel accounts, examining Jesus' sayings and interactions with those around him and how he uses this Scripture to form the politics of Jesus. I found this book to be both engaging and challenging. But, what I loved most was seeing Jesus for the awesome confronter of evil that he is, but in the most gentle way possible.
October 17, 2013
It is a very fine book - unique I think in taking us into the politics of Jesus' day and how he related to all that. It is a demanding read, but well worth the effort
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews