Using the text of the New Testament, this engaging study criticallyexamines the traditional portrait of Jesus as an apolitical figure and clarifies the true impact of Jesus' life, work, and teachings on his disciples' social behavior. This second edition is updated and expanded.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
John Yoder gets it!:
Truly excellent and biblically sound exposition on the ethical standards a Christian is genuinely called to strive for.
The most thorough and honest study of Jesus' political stances.:
Always skeptical of any Christian book addressing politics, I found this book absolutely amazing. In it, Professor Yoder first presents the Kingdom that Christ established and the rules by which its citizens would adhere. All that proceeds from this idea, our role in this current earthly kingdom, our ethics, our duties, naturally follow from the fact that Christians have one Lord and Master and there can be no shared allegiance.
Greatest proponent or adversary:
If you are looking for the single best argument for why Christians must be nonviolent, this is it. If you are a just-warrior or a Christian realist then it is your faithful duty to contend with this work. The first chapter covers the variety of ways we make everything but Jesus the norm for living and there is a brilliant chapter on Romans 13 that merits a very careful reading. Enjoy!
A conservative evangelical pastor responds:
Should evangelical Christians who believe in the authoritative inspiration of scripture and in the gospel of spiritual rebirth to eternal life through the person of Jesus Christ look to this book for Biblical input regarding politics and social justice? 1. Overall this book was thought-provoking and included many good insights into the meaning of many passages of scripture. It's difficult reading at times. Many of Yoder's conclusions seemed overstated and one-sided, which he justified at one point late... more info
