The Scandal Of Evangelical Politics: Why Are Christians Missing The Chance To Really Change The World?

Book Summary

"Christian political activity today is a disaster." So begins Ron Sider's analysis of contemporary evangelical political engagement. Christians have failed along all points of the political spectrum to subject their inherited political perspectives to the lordship of Christ via thoughtful, biblical critique. The result is infighting, lack of effective political influence, and worst of all, harm to our gospel witness. Evangelicals have the opportunity to promote the well-being of all through a uniquely Christian political vision. Combining biblical principles with societal analysis, Sider helps develop an irenic approach for doing politics in a wise, biblically grounded way that honors Christ and acknowledges his lordship over all areas of life. "Sider is one of our most important public theologians."--Jim Wallis, president, Sojourners; author, God's Politics "Sider serves up his most compelling statement ever on how Christians can and should influence American government."--John J. DiIulio Jr., first director, White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives; author, Godly Republic "This book should be a guidebook for Christians who want to be a voice for Jesus in shaping social policy."--Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor, Northland, A Church Distributed; executive committee member, National Association of Evangelicals "A mature, balanced, well-informed, richly biblical Christian political ethic for a broad audience."--David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer University; president, Evangelicals for Human Rights; author, The Future of Faith in American Politics "Sider's work has undoubtedly helped usher in an era in which fewer believers rushto embrace the secular ideologies of either Left or Right--and even less the rancorous behavior associated with them--and instead embrace a deeper biblical ethic as a guide to political positions as well as public conduct."--Don Eberly, author; White House aide to presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush "American evangelicals should read and discuss this book and think hard about the kind of organizing that will be needed to fulfill genuine political responsibility."--James W. Skillen, president, Center for Public Justice "Sider provides a road map, a guide to help Christians of all political persuasions to develop a relevant and just political philosophy."--Tony Hall, United States ambassador, United Nations, Rome Evangelicals today probably have more political influence in the U.S. than at any time in the last century--but they may not be certain what to do with it. It has been difficult to develop a unified voice on pressing issues such as social justice and moral renewal. "The Scandal of Evangelical Politics" provides evangelical Christians with a systematic political philosophy to guide and sustain political activism. Soundly based in biblical principles and guided by a careful study of society, this book will guide readers into more thoughtful and effective political activity. Practical, balanced, and nonpartisan, "The Scandal of Evangelical Politics" will be a welcome resource during the race for the 2008 presidential election.

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