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The Politics of the Cross: A Christian Alternative to Partisanship
Where do Christians fit in a two-party political system? The partisan divide that is rending the nation is now tearing apart American churches. On one side are Christian Right activists and other conservatives who believe that a vote for a Democratic presidential candidate is a vote for abortion, sexual immorality, gender confusion, and the loss of religious liberty for Christians. On the other side are politically progressive Christians who are considering leaving the institutional church because of white evangelicalism’s alliance with a Republican Party that they believe is racist, hateful toward immigrants, scornful of the poor, and directly opposed to the principles that Jesus taught. Even while sharing the same pew, these two sides often see the views of the other as hopelessly wrongheaded—even evil. Is there a way to transcend this deep-seated division?
The Politics of the Cross draws on history, policy analysis, and biblically grounded theology to show how Christians can protect the unborn, advocate for traditional marriage, promote racial justice, care for the poor, and, above all, honor the gospel by adopting a cross-centered ethic instead of the idolatrous politics of power, fear, or partisanship. As Daniel K. Williams illustrates, both the Republican and Democratic parties are rooted in Christian principles, but both have distorted those principles and mixed them with assumptions that are antithetical to biblical truth. Williams explains how Christians can renounce partisanship and pursue policies that show love for our neighbors to achieve a biblical vision of justice. Nuanced, detailed, and even-handed, The Politics of the Cross tackles the thorny issues that divide Christians politically and offers a path forward with innovative, biblically minded political approaches that might surprise Christians on both the left and the right.
The Politics of the Cross draws on history, policy analysis, and biblically grounded theology to show how Christians can protect the unborn, advocate for traditional marriage, promote racial justice, care for the poor, and, above all, honor the gospel by adopting a cross-centered ethic instead of the idolatrous politics of power, fear, or partisanship. As Daniel K. Williams illustrates, both the Republican and Democratic parties are rooted in Christian principles, but both have distorted those principles and mixed them with assumptions that are antithetical to biblical truth. Williams explains how Christians can renounce partisanship and pursue policies that show love for our neighbors to achieve a biblical vision of justice. Nuanced, detailed, and even-handed, The Politics of the Cross tackles the thorny issues that divide Christians politically and offers a path forward with innovative, biblically minded political approaches that might surprise Christians on both the left and the right.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published March 2, 2021
15 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Daniel K. Williams
10 books21 followersDr. Daniel K. Williams is a historian who specializes in American religion and politics. Currently, he is an associate professor of history at the Ashland University.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 2, 2024
Religion and politics are fraught topics to discuss even in the best of company. Some pastors are vocal in their political commitments and views, agitating for this candidate or that cause but sometimes they seem to lose sight of the Kingdom of God for the Kingdom of Man. Other pastors - perhaps wisely - steer clear of partisanship in the pulpit or in private conversation but this inevitably leaves people in the pews open to voices from the left and the right and anywhere in between that will undoubtedly form their political imaginaries without thoughtful Christian counsel.
Daniel K. Williams’ The Politics of the Cross: A Christian Alternative to Partisanship (2021) offers perhaps the most compelling guide for Christians to think carefully and wisely about politics. Williams has emerged as one of the best historians of Christianity of his generation, already writing lauded academic books including God’s Own Party: The Making of the Christian Right (2010) and Defenders of the Unborn: The Pro-Life Movement Before Roe V. Wade (2015). In The Politics of the Cross, Williams writes both professionally and confessionally as a believer; he continues to offer astute analysis and rigorous nuance as he delves into American history to explain the developments that led to the present, but he also draws readers’ attentions to biblical injunctions about how we should operate in today’s increasingly complex world. He proposes that Christian thinking on politics ought to be “cross-centered rather than rights-based” with a concern for the welfare of our neighbour being our central guiding light (p. 9).
Williams follows the book’s introduction with chapters on “The Protestant Moralism of the Republican Party” and “The Secularized Liberal Protestantism of the Democratic Party.” The next four chapters address contentious topics in the public square today: abortion, marriage and sexuality, race, and wealth and poverty. Broadly speaking, as an evangelical Williams sees the GOP as more closely-reflective of the “politics of the cross” than the Democratic Party when it comes to abortion, marriage, and sexuality while the Democrats’ policies on race, wealth, and poverty are more aligned with the Kingdom of God than the Republicans’ policies. Yet Williams does not blindly side with either party. He cautions Republicans’ about investing too much faith in appointing pro-life judges to defend the unborn, insisting that “What we really need is not merely a reversal of Roe and a limited prohibition on abortion in a few states but a culture change in people’s views of sex, marriage, and unborn human life. This cannot be accomplished in the voting booth” (p. 116). Though Williams argues that the Democrats are better at proposing policies to address wealth inequality using the arm of government, he also notes that the private sector can be more effective and has introduced good policies before; “In the 1920s, private employers had introduced the first retirement pension system in the United States, and even after the advent of Social Security, the benefits negotiated by labor unions or offered by private corporations continued to be an important supplement to the nation’s government-administered retirement pension program” (p. 214). Williams’ pastoral sensibilities come out in his writing. The chapter on wealth and poverty is filled with shocking statistics on income inequality that rouse readers’ righteous indignation but Williams warns that scapegoating affluent elites can come across as an act of envious “payback” that requires no self-sacrifice on the part of each one of us, rich or poor (p. 251).
Williams strongly champions the US government raising the federal minimum wage from its current rate at $7.25 and he sees wealth and poverty as intrinsically related to abortion, marriage, sexuality, and race. Lamenting the tragedy of abortion, Williams points out that the women who are most likely to have abortions are “economically disadvantaged single mothers in their twenties who do not believe they can support another child” (pp. 104-05). Seventy-five percent of women who have had abortions are low-income and 86% of them are unmarried; lacking both financial and spousal support and already struggling to care for their first child, many of these women see no alternative but to have an abortion (p. 105, 108). Related to this, many unmarried Americans, especially among the working-poor, do not feel themselves financially stable enough to enter into marriage and so the cycle of unmarried adults and parents continues.
Though no book can be entirely comprehensive, there are some notable gaps in The Politics of the Cross. In the chapter on race, Williams dedicates most of his attention to the plight of black and Hispanic Americans but he does not address First Nations or Asians; the absence of the former is acutely felt given Canada’s own troubling history with our First Nations but it also relates to Williams’ quest for racial justice. As the recent social media furor between Duke Kwon and Greg Thompson on one side and Kevin DeYoung on the other side has demonstrated, reparations and the righting of historical injustices is multifaceted, complicated, and, perhaps overly idealistic, but surely First Nations in both Canada and the USA must be involved in these conversations as well. Williams does provide an appendix at the back of the book with a bevy of rich resources he recommends to readers who wish to explore these complex issues more.
There will probably be few readers who agree with Williams entirely. Ingrained partisan beliefs can be difficult to uproot, especially when one feels forced to choose between only two political parties. Questions can arise as to what policies or principles should be undertaken within the purview of the Church and which ones require action on the part of government and the wider pluralist culture. Williams’ guiding principles are that Christians need to rely less on government to enforce Christian morality and need to aim to foster cultural change in people’s hearts instead; the witness of faithful Christian marriages founded on covenant can encourage a stronger marriage culture overall - indeed, can encourage the unmarried to get married. As well, Williams posits that the Bible’s mandate to “love thy neighbour” may mean that Christians vote for the marginalized even if at a cost to ourselves; instead of voting for the candidate or party who will cut our taxes, perhaps we are called to vote for the candidate or party who will make us pay more so that the marginalized receive improved, free/low-cost, comprehensive healthcare. Christians will need to rightly weigh what they are willing to sacrifice and those who agree with Williams will need to discern what loving thy neighbour entails; a liberal Christian working a fulfilling career outside the home may want daycare but a conservative Christian homemaker may think it more loving to give stipends to parents of young children instead. I eagerly commend Daniel K. Williams’ The Politics of the Cross to all Christians seeking to navigate the avenues between church and state.
Daniel K. Williams’ The Politics of the Cross: A Christian Alternative to Partisanship (2021) offers perhaps the most compelling guide for Christians to think carefully and wisely about politics. Williams has emerged as one of the best historians of Christianity of his generation, already writing lauded academic books including God’s Own Party: The Making of the Christian Right (2010) and Defenders of the Unborn: The Pro-Life Movement Before Roe V. Wade (2015). In The Politics of the Cross, Williams writes both professionally and confessionally as a believer; he continues to offer astute analysis and rigorous nuance as he delves into American history to explain the developments that led to the present, but he also draws readers’ attentions to biblical injunctions about how we should operate in today’s increasingly complex world. He proposes that Christian thinking on politics ought to be “cross-centered rather than rights-based” with a concern for the welfare of our neighbour being our central guiding light (p. 9).
Williams follows the book’s introduction with chapters on “The Protestant Moralism of the Republican Party” and “The Secularized Liberal Protestantism of the Democratic Party.” The next four chapters address contentious topics in the public square today: abortion, marriage and sexuality, race, and wealth and poverty. Broadly speaking, as an evangelical Williams sees the GOP as more closely-reflective of the “politics of the cross” than the Democratic Party when it comes to abortion, marriage, and sexuality while the Democrats’ policies on race, wealth, and poverty are more aligned with the Kingdom of God than the Republicans’ policies. Yet Williams does not blindly side with either party. He cautions Republicans’ about investing too much faith in appointing pro-life judges to defend the unborn, insisting that “What we really need is not merely a reversal of Roe and a limited prohibition on abortion in a few states but a culture change in people’s views of sex, marriage, and unborn human life. This cannot be accomplished in the voting booth” (p. 116). Though Williams argues that the Democrats are better at proposing policies to address wealth inequality using the arm of government, he also notes that the private sector can be more effective and has introduced good policies before; “In the 1920s, private employers had introduced the first retirement pension system in the United States, and even after the advent of Social Security, the benefits negotiated by labor unions or offered by private corporations continued to be an important supplement to the nation’s government-administered retirement pension program” (p. 214). Williams’ pastoral sensibilities come out in his writing. The chapter on wealth and poverty is filled with shocking statistics on income inequality that rouse readers’ righteous indignation but Williams warns that scapegoating affluent elites can come across as an act of envious “payback” that requires no self-sacrifice on the part of each one of us, rich or poor (p. 251).
Williams strongly champions the US government raising the federal minimum wage from its current rate at $7.25 and he sees wealth and poverty as intrinsically related to abortion, marriage, sexuality, and race. Lamenting the tragedy of abortion, Williams points out that the women who are most likely to have abortions are “economically disadvantaged single mothers in their twenties who do not believe they can support another child” (pp. 104-05). Seventy-five percent of women who have had abortions are low-income and 86% of them are unmarried; lacking both financial and spousal support and already struggling to care for their first child, many of these women see no alternative but to have an abortion (p. 105, 108). Related to this, many unmarried Americans, especially among the working-poor, do not feel themselves financially stable enough to enter into marriage and so the cycle of unmarried adults and parents continues.
Though no book can be entirely comprehensive, there are some notable gaps in The Politics of the Cross. In the chapter on race, Williams dedicates most of his attention to the plight of black and Hispanic Americans but he does not address First Nations or Asians; the absence of the former is acutely felt given Canada’s own troubling history with our First Nations but it also relates to Williams’ quest for racial justice. As the recent social media furor between Duke Kwon and Greg Thompson on one side and Kevin DeYoung on the other side has demonstrated, reparations and the righting of historical injustices is multifaceted, complicated, and, perhaps overly idealistic, but surely First Nations in both Canada and the USA must be involved in these conversations as well. Williams does provide an appendix at the back of the book with a bevy of rich resources he recommends to readers who wish to explore these complex issues more.
There will probably be few readers who agree with Williams entirely. Ingrained partisan beliefs can be difficult to uproot, especially when one feels forced to choose between only two political parties. Questions can arise as to what policies or principles should be undertaken within the purview of the Church and which ones require action on the part of government and the wider pluralist culture. Williams’ guiding principles are that Christians need to rely less on government to enforce Christian morality and need to aim to foster cultural change in people’s hearts instead; the witness of faithful Christian marriages founded on covenant can encourage a stronger marriage culture overall - indeed, can encourage the unmarried to get married. As well, Williams posits that the Bible’s mandate to “love thy neighbour” may mean that Christians vote for the marginalized even if at a cost to ourselves; instead of voting for the candidate or party who will cut our taxes, perhaps we are called to vote for the candidate or party who will make us pay more so that the marginalized receive improved, free/low-cost, comprehensive healthcare. Christians will need to rightly weigh what they are willing to sacrifice and those who agree with Williams will need to discern what loving thy neighbour entails; a liberal Christian working a fulfilling career outside the home may want daycare but a conservative Christian homemaker may think it more loving to give stipends to parents of young children instead. I eagerly commend Daniel K. Williams’ The Politics of the Cross to all Christians seeking to navigate the avenues between church and state.
April 12, 2021
This is a very-solid 4-star read, but gets an extra star for the absolute GOLD MINE of a "further reading" chapter at the back. Seriously, that section alone is going to keep me occupied for probably a year....
But as to the book itself, readers should know a few things going in: 1) there is quite a bit of history; 2) there is quite a bit of policy and data discussion (especially economic data); and 3) it's much more focused on exploring tensions than it is about putting forward practical solutions. To be clear, the author does make suggestions for policy proposals and ways to vote, but he is not that interested in giving Christians a "blueprint" to follow. For me, these are all strengths of the book, but they may rankle others.
That all said, I really loved the historical angle. Williams provides lucid and succinct histories of the ways both political parties have interacted with Christian ideas through the past century, as well as very enlightening histories of a few lightning-rod topics in American life (abortion, marriage/sexuality, race). The chapter on abortion is particularly spectacular, and actually shifted my own paradigm on the topic. Much of his work finds its way back to economic structures and policies that undergird much of the disparities in our culture. It's all well-researched, even-handed and very nuanced. A breath of fresh air in the midst of so much pandering, caricaturing and posturing.
More than anything, I think, this book is a model for "how to think through political issues," rather than a guidebook of "what to think about political issues." Williams wades carefully, but confidently, directly into the heart of the most divisive topics of our time, and proposes that Christians adopt a more "cross-like" and self-sacrificial way of thinking about their voice in the political arena. I highly, highly recommend it for those who want a truly nuanced, thoughtful perspective.
But as to the book itself, readers should know a few things going in: 1) there is quite a bit of history; 2) there is quite a bit of policy and data discussion (especially economic data); and 3) it's much more focused on exploring tensions than it is about putting forward practical solutions. To be clear, the author does make suggestions for policy proposals and ways to vote, but he is not that interested in giving Christians a "blueprint" to follow. For me, these are all strengths of the book, but they may rankle others.
That all said, I really loved the historical angle. Williams provides lucid and succinct histories of the ways both political parties have interacted with Christian ideas through the past century, as well as very enlightening histories of a few lightning-rod topics in American life (abortion, marriage/sexuality, race). The chapter on abortion is particularly spectacular, and actually shifted my own paradigm on the topic. Much of his work finds its way back to economic structures and policies that undergird much of the disparities in our culture. It's all well-researched, even-handed and very nuanced. A breath of fresh air in the midst of so much pandering, caricaturing and posturing.
More than anything, I think, this book is a model for "how to think through political issues," rather than a guidebook of "what to think about political issues." Williams wades carefully, but confidently, directly into the heart of the most divisive topics of our time, and proposes that Christians adopt a more "cross-like" and self-sacrificial way of thinking about their voice in the political arena. I highly, highly recommend it for those who want a truly nuanced, thoughtful perspective.
July 13, 2022
As a Christian who often feels politically homeless this book was very useful in helping me crystallize my thoughts on specific policies and how they can reflect Christian values. Are my political choices based on selfishness and what benefits me most? Or do I vote with the principle of Philippians 2 to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than myself, looking not only to my own interests, but also to the interests of others.
July 17, 2021
Discusses of each political party's history and their takes on social issues that divide not just Christians, but the majority of America's citizens, then suggests how Christians can come together to support change toward improvements in how we (and the government) respond to social challenges. Backs up discussion with scriptural references and tons of statistics, all of which is clearly footnoted. (The stats got so overwhelming, I had to skim some paragraphs near the end. Just couldn't read it any more.) Williams takes on Democrats and Republicans alike and equally, noting how support of each political party lines up with scripture. Straightforward and honest whether you like it or not!
September 18, 2021
With more than a passing interest in American Politics and how Christians there relate to that, I found this book really helpful. While primarily addressing that audience, there is much that those of us living elsewhere can learn too. The authors assertion that Christians should be voting for the good of our neighbour rather than protecting our own interests was particularly challenging.
I didn’t agree with all the points made but this book is well needed in helping us think through what a Christians relationship to politics should be.
I didn’t agree with all the points made but this book is well needed in helping us think through what a Christians relationship to politics should be.
October 22, 2021
This is an incredible book, and probably the best book on Christian engagement with politics I have ever read. While I do not agree with every stance Williams takes, his gracious, lucid, and thoughtful prose invites sober reflection no matter one's political persuasion.
He starts off by insisting on selflessness--as exemplified by the title's Cross of Calvary--as the motivator for Christian voting: no matter which party we vote for in a given election, we must be making our choices based on what is best for society and for the least of these, not for ourselves. Williams, a historian by training, then provides two excellent chapters detailing the histories of Christian engagement with the Republican Party and then the Democratic Party. The rest of the book is then devoted to discussing four major issues from a Christian perspective: abortion, marriage & sexuality, race, and wealth & poverty.
While one of Williams' overall viewpoints is that Republicans tend to get the morals right and Democrats tend to get the policies right, he is remarkably fair throughout his chapters, clearly explaining research and delineating where his own personal opinions come in. He also, to his enormous credit, ends each chapter with challenges to both parties' partisans: e.g., if you vote for __________, that's great, but you need to do __________ in order to make up for the deficiencies in that position. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially in the post-2016 polarized times we live in.
He starts off by insisting on selflessness--as exemplified by the title's Cross of Calvary--as the motivator for Christian voting: no matter which party we vote for in a given election, we must be making our choices based on what is best for society and for the least of these, not for ourselves. Williams, a historian by training, then provides two excellent chapters detailing the histories of Christian engagement with the Republican Party and then the Democratic Party. The rest of the book is then devoted to discussing four major issues from a Christian perspective: abortion, marriage & sexuality, race, and wealth & poverty.
While one of Williams' overall viewpoints is that Republicans tend to get the morals right and Democrats tend to get the policies right, he is remarkably fair throughout his chapters, clearly explaining research and delineating where his own personal opinions come in. He also, to his enormous credit, ends each chapter with challenges to both parties' partisans: e.g., if you vote for __________, that's great, but you need to do __________ in order to make up for the deficiencies in that position. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, especially in the post-2016 polarized times we live in.
July 29, 2021
Highly recommended. His historical perspective on the founding of the Republican and Democratic parties and their intersection with the religious movements and moral causes of the 19th and 20th centuries would bring enlightenment and humility to current Christians of every theological persuasion on both sides of the aisle. There is also an excellent chapter for further reading on issues such as abortion, marriage and family, and economic policy, wealth and poverty.
An accessible and readable, Williams uses a holistic biblical ethic, centered on loving God and loving our neighbor, to evaluate partisan talking points and ideals. His arguments for effective policies, based on history and statistics, provided some needed clarity for me.
Beyond Christian faithfulness, this was a helpful read to understand how, through wise policies that sacrifice self-interest for the sake of others, we might strengthen our democratic order at a time when it seems threatened and fragile from unsustainable partisanship.
An accessible and readable, Williams uses a holistic biblical ethic, centered on loving God and loving our neighbor, to evaluate partisan talking points and ideals. His arguments for effective policies, based on history and statistics, provided some needed clarity for me.
Beyond Christian faithfulness, this was a helpful read to understand how, through wise policies that sacrifice self-interest for the sake of others, we might strengthen our democratic order at a time when it seems threatened and fragile from unsustainable partisanship.
September 27, 2021
Williams argues with pastoral grace what I've intuited for a while now about Christian politics: both major parties have their biblical strong points and both have major biblical shortcomings. Neither is anything close to an unalloyed vehicle for a Christian who would like to see society informed by a robust biblical ethics.
What he then argues is that, rather than insisting on a viable Christian third party to figure itself out before any of us consent to vote again (my suggestion), that we should rethink our voting, but then, having figured out which of the major parties best fits our idea of what biblical ethics ought to be moving toward in our society, to focus not demonizing the other party, but keeping an eye on the shortcomings of our own party in an attempt to reform it. And we ought, most of us, to vote against our own class's economic interests because we'd be embracing a cross-shaped social ethic in so doing.
It is a gentle but strong book.
What he then argues is that, rather than insisting on a viable Christian third party to figure itself out before any of us consent to vote again (my suggestion), that we should rethink our voting, but then, having figured out which of the major parties best fits our idea of what biblical ethics ought to be moving toward in our society, to focus not demonizing the other party, but keeping an eye on the shortcomings of our own party in an attempt to reform it. And we ought, most of us, to vote against our own class's economic interests because we'd be embracing a cross-shaped social ethic in so doing.
It is a gentle but strong book.
April 17, 2021
My New Go-To Recommendation
Over the last few years, Christian politics have gotten more and more confused to the point that it feels nearly impossible to have a good gospel-focused conversation about politics with anyone. But this book uses a plethora of Bible passages and statistics to broaden the conversation. It is not interested in talking parties, it’s interested in talking about how the love and concern for neighbor fits into how how we vote and how we think politically. And all of the research in this book really nails home the Bible’s convictions.
This is one of my new go-to book recommendations for anyone trying to sort out Christian politics, and I will be recommending it often.
Over the last few years, Christian politics have gotten more and more confused to the point that it feels nearly impossible to have a good gospel-focused conversation about politics with anyone. But this book uses a plethora of Bible passages and statistics to broaden the conversation. It is not interested in talking parties, it’s interested in talking about how the love and concern for neighbor fits into how how we vote and how we think politically. And all of the research in this book really nails home the Bible’s convictions.
This is one of my new go-to book recommendations for anyone trying to sort out Christian politics, and I will be recommending it often.
January 8, 2022
This book confirms what I have already been doing, in not giving my full allegiance to any particular party. It helped me think through the strengths and weaknesses, from a faith perspective, of Republicans and Democrats throughout history, and what views to look for in candidates when determining how to vote. I was also reminded to question whether governmental policies or court decisions should legislate the Christian way of life to all American citizens; we can still appeal to persons in our sphere of influence to voluntarily live on a Kingdom level though earthly requirements are sometimes less or different than Christian values.
April 24, 2022
For people who care about the intersection of contemporary American Christianity and politics, this would be a valuable book to read. The author states up front that he's writing and analyzing from his position as an academic and as an evangelical Christian, and as such I didn't always agree with his conclusions. But I appreciate how he explored the left and right's history of four major issues (abortion, marriage and sexuality, race and wealth and poverty) and tried to frame what a Biblical, Christian viewpoint around these issues might be. Even if I don't agree with them, I find it immensely helpful to have a better understanding of where the other side might be coming from.
November 16, 2021
Read for class, pretty good!
I read this book for class and I liked how this book was able to see both sides. It gives a great perspective to see politics on many different aspects of the problems in the world, while maintaining the main point of how we should look at politics from a Christian viewpoint.
I read this book for class and I liked how this book was able to see both sides. It gives a great perspective to see politics on many different aspects of the problems in the world, while maintaining the main point of how we should look at politics from a Christian viewpoint.
September 25, 2025
Every Christian who takes Scripture seriously and desires to sort out their relationship between the commands of Scripture its implications for the politics of the United States of America should read this text. Daniel Williams does an awesome job engaging public policy on a level that the outcomes of the way of Christ are implicated in our political advocacy as Christians. I found his breakdowns of the history of a variety of policies succinct, pointed, and informative.
Reading this in light of the 2024 election is fascinating. To me, it is hard not to think that evangelical Christians care more frequently about the presumptions of power and a select few issues over the holistic view of the commands of Scripture.
Reading this in light of the 2024 election is fascinating. To me, it is hard not to think that evangelical Christians care more frequently about the presumptions of power and a select few issues over the holistic view of the commands of Scripture.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews