Christians and Politics: Uneasy Partners

This book offers thought provoking insights when the church chose morality laws over the great commission, and at the same time, shows us the dangers of leaving public morality to secular politicians. In the age of increasing diversity, we need to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves while engaging with culture and politics.

As we put on the full armor of God and take our stand against the devil's schemes, we need to remind ourselves that we are still dealing with humans that our Lord Jesus loved and died for.

1. Culture and World Events from a Christian Perspective.
2. Uneasy Partners: Christians and Politics.
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4. Death of a Viewer.

Therefore, we need to choose our battles wisely, and always wear love and grace on our sleeves. Jun 06, Ian Goos rated it it was amazing. A Clarifying Book I liked the short length of the book. I think his use of scripture is very skillful. If you struggle between loving your neighbor and "justice for all" this book is for you. If you believe that God is love and Jesus came with grace and truth this book is for you.

Jan 07, Marianne rated it really liked it. Always love Philip Yancey, and he has even-handed, compassionate, and insightful words to share on that tangly topic of politics and America. I love it that he isn't a "right-winger", but still has an orthodox Christian viewpoint. This one I want to re-read for sure. Aug 23, Lee Bertsch rated it really liked it.

A good primer on a complicated subject illustrated by some interesting historical examples. Aug 02, Gale Holt rated it it was amazing. Should be heeded Yancey thoughtfully addresses how Christians should live out their faith with grace and truth in their culture.

He draws from both scripture and history to caution people of faith. Apr 02, Pao Alfonso rated it it was amazing. A short book but makes very clear, very important points. A lot of these points were expounded in other books like Vanishing Grace. Sep 08, Dennis M.

Dickerson rated it it was amazing.

A message for dedicated Christians How much should Christians get involved in politics? Yancey gives Christians something to consider in today's highly polarized political arena. Oct 18, Jason D'Souza rated it it was amazing Shelves: The two largest controversies debated in our legal judicial system today deals with the Supreme Court striking down the Texas abortion clinic regulation on June 26, , and the Supreme Court Legalizing Gay Marriage Nationwide June 26, What does Jesus say about both topics?

Homosexuality was more prevalent in Jesus' day as philosophers had sexual relations with young boys. Young girls, however, were not valued and were often discarded at birth on the side of the road before mo The two largest controversies debated in our legal judicial system today deals with the Supreme Court striking down the Texas abortion clinic regulation on June 26, , and the Supreme Court Legalizing Gay Marriage Nationwide June 26, Young girls, however, were not valued and were often discarded at birth on the side of the road before modern abortion procedure practices and Planned Parenthood.

Only the rich aristocrat could afford wives who were so rare. Many daughters were saved and adopted by Christian families who valued life. As a result "many Christian girls had to marry pagan men or remain single, and for many pagan men, it was either a Christian bride or bachelorhood. Peter advised women with unconverted husbands, 'be submissive to your husbands.

Both his mother and wife he married were Christian. It was as a result of this pre-abortion ascendency that the emperor stopped the practice of Christians from getting eaten alive by lions in the arena and no longer would they have to worship in catacombs at midnight leading to over a 1, years of Byzantine reign. Many times love is simply quiet and gentle. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?

Away from me, you evildoers! Feb 20, Dennis A Keel rated it it was amazing. Restored my faith Philip Yancey hit on all the issues I have with organized religion today. I may have found a way back. May 01, Emily rated it really liked it. This isn't a very long book, but it is a very relevant book. I purchased it after becoming uneasy at some of the political statements being made in the pulpit of our Methodist church in England.

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Our Bible study group even had a session on politics and the church and we were split down the middle over whether one should spill into the other. I wish I had this book when we had that Bible study. Even though it is mainly American focused, it does makes very good points about what the church is good This isn't a very long book, but it is a very relevant book.

Even though it is mainly American focused, it does makes very good points about what the church is good at and what it is bad at. The church is good when it directly tries to help solve issues like poverty, homelessness, addiction, trauma relief, and many others. The church can reach people, help heal people, help them see the grace of Jesus at work. The church is particularly bad when it does morality on the political stage.

It becomes an "us and them" sort of thing. Those who are pro-choice or pro-gay marriage may feel that the church simply would not be for them because after all, they do not agree with the church. However, by making it about morality issues, we forget that all humans are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Many, many, many Christians sin daily and whether these issues are sins or not is a matter for debate, for understanding not for rejecting outright the right of someone else to see things differently.

The main point Philip Yancey makes though is by persuing morality, the church neglects grace. The world need grace now more than ever. That is why I am very uneasy about politics being a part of the church. Feb 12, Raymond D Smith rated it it was amazing. A great perspective on the role of a Christian in regards to politics. It clarified my beliefs and gave me some things to think about. Feb 10, Charisse Tyson rated it it was amazing.

All Christians should read this book. I've always enjoyed Philip Yancey's books and this one did not disappoint. It's a call to Christians to act more Christ like. We will win more souls and have a bigger impact on our country if we show more grace.

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Mar 31, Don Zabriskie rated it really liked it. Still Applicable and Will Continue to Be So I picked up Philip Yancey's book to re-read it in the light of recent events in the process we have come to know as election politics. Time and again I found the principles the author outlines as very applicable in evaluating current political discourse. His reference to an earlier election where a Catholic candidate whose eventual success was demonized as a path straight to Papal control of the United States brought back memories of the rhetoric.

As I recall it was evangelical leaders who made many such claims. North America served as a haven for many of these groups, including Quakers, Amish, Mennonites, and Hutterites. Around the same time, Lutherans developed a doctrine of Christ in paradox with culture. On earth we are subject to two kingdoms, said Martin Luther: Of course, sometimes the government may ask Christians to do what goes against their convictions, bringing the two kingdoms into conflict: Finally, a fifth group identifies Christ with culture.



This approach may take many forms, such as the ethnic groups like Orthodox Serbs and Catholic Croats who blend religion and culture. Niebuhr used the Social Gospel movement as an American example: All five approaches seemed to have something to contribute, and in fact I could point to biblical examples of each one, especially in the Old Testament. Kings such as David and Solomon virtually combined church and state. Amos and Hosea thundered against the state; Isaiah acted as a kind of court prophet. Daniel held high office in two different pagan governments and Nehemiah led a detachment of Persian cavalry.

Theologian John Howard Yoder pointed out that Christians will never wholeheartedly embrace or reject culture, but rather we must discriminate among its various parts. We will categorically reject some elements pornography, tyranny, human trafficking , accept others within limits commerce, transportation, taxes , and provide a new motivation to others family life, education, peacemaking.

We will use some aspects of culture music, art, language , albeit in our own way, and we will heartily promote certain activities hospices, care for orphans, homeless shelters, soup kitchens. Is there one best way for Christians to relate to politics and culture, especially in a democracy where we have a rightful voice? Should we withdraw into a counterculture and devote our energies to the kingdom of God, or should we actively work to transform society?

And if we choose the second path, can we do so in a way that does not drown out our core message of love and grace?

Reflections on CHRISTIANS AND POLITICS: UNEASY PARTNERS, by Philip Yancey

In the next decades a clear pattern emerged, as many polls attest: Not long ago a huge majority of the uncommitted still viewed Christians favorably. Have Christians obscured the good news by their efforts to restore morality to the broader culture? The state has one overriding concern, that of controlling bad behavior: