What Is God's Kingdom and What Does Citizenship Look Like?

by C sar Garc a

Overview

What is God’s kingdom? And what does it look like to live as a loyal citizen of God’s reign?

César García leads us on a searching examination of what it means to belong to God’s kingdom, how Jesus’ life and ministry demonstrate about our call to seek it first and how our allegiance to Jesus challenges and reshapes our loyalties to political systems and governments. Learn about theological concepts such as the separation of church and state and kingdom ethics, and explore practices for people seeking to embody God’s kingdom community.

The Jesus Way: Small Books of Radical Faith delve into big questions about God’s work in the world. These concise, practical books are deeply rooted in Anabaptist theology. Crafted by a diverse community of internationally renowned scholars, pastors, and practitioners, The Jesus Way series helps readers deepen their faith in Christ and enliven their witness.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781513805733
Publisher:	MennoMedia
Publication date:	02/23/2021
Series:	Jesus Way: Small Books of Radical Faith
Pages:	88
Product dimensions:	4.80(w) x 7.80(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

César García is General Secretary of Mennonite World Conference (MWC), an organization that serves some 1.5 million members around the world in the Anabaptist Tradition. García is from Bogotá, Colombia, and his appointment in 2012 marked the first time a leader from the Global South has served in this leadership role. He has been a church planter, pastor and professor of Bible and Theology. Prior to his election, García was chair of the Iglesias Hermanos Menonitas de Colombia (Mennonite Brethren Churches of Colombia) and Secretary of the MWC Mission Commission.

Table of Contents

Introduction to The Jesus Way Series from Herald Press 9

Introduction 11

1 Faith and Politics 15

2 Attractive Politics: The Centripetal Force of God's Kingdom 37

3 Influential Politics: The Centrifugal Force of God's Kingdom 61

Glossary 73

Discussion and Reflection Questions 75

Shared Convictions 79

Acknowledgments 81

Notes 83

The Author 87

Interviews

Kitchener, ON N2H 1V6 Canada
 

Editorial Reviews

César García offers a brilliant biblical and experiential description of our need to apply the kingdom of God to our political and discriminatory systems. We are called to be an alternative society, a new creation that is relational and communal, rather than coercive through asymmetrical domination.”
 

GRETCHEN CASTLE

This is a prophetic voice against growing polarization! Deeply rooted in the peace church tradition, and soaked with the author’s personal experience, this book explores the relevance of the incarnation of the kingdom of God in Jesus Christ for becoming a faithful community. A realistic revocation to all political systems of supremacy, as well as to the church itself!”
 

FERNANDO ENNS

A timely must-read for Christians who wonder how to be faithful citizens of the kingdom in deeply polarized and confusing times. César García’s book presents a refreshing, compelling vision for the attractive and influential nature of allegiance to God’s kingdom.”
 

LISA RODRIGUEZ-WATSON

At a time when many followers of Jesus are asking how to be faithful in societies that are economically and politically polarized, César García presents a biblically grounded Anabaptist approach to engaging society. With broad knowledge of the global church, and with the heart of a shepherd, he offers narratives and theological insight to guide the church.”
 

J. NELSON KRAYBILL

César García roots his work in the Bible, writing concisely with clarity. Don’t miss this jewel by thinking you already know the answer to the question posed by the book’s title. García answers it in fresh and challenging ways by including perspectives and concrete examples from around the world.”
 

MARK D. BAKER

Clear, concise, and engaging guidance for sociopolitical witness and engagement rooted in the Anabaptist tradition. Blending distinctive perspectives from Colombia, experience in global conversations, thoughtful biblical reflections, and practical application, this is an excellent addition to a very helpful series.”
 

STUART MURRAY

In this accessible and gospel-centered book, César García sketches out what it means that Christians’ highest allegiance is not to any earthly government but to the kingdom of God. He shows us what it means to live out a politics based not on domination but on communion.”
 

PETER MOMMSEN