Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters

by Miranda Zapor Cruz

Overview

How should Christians faithfully engage with politics in an increasingly polarized and complex society?

Faithful Politics by Miranda Zapor Cruz offers a thoughtful and balanced road map for navigating this challenging question. Rather than prescribing easy answers or simplistic checklists, this book invites readers into a reflective exploration of ten distinct approaches to Christian political engagement, providing meaningful tools for deeper understanding.

In this book Cruz guides readers in forming a vision of citizenship that brings Christian convictions into political engagement while avoiding common pitfalls. Cruz also provides a measured, nonpartisan overview of different ways Christians have approached political participation. These ten views represent a range of theological approaches to the relationship between the kingdom of God and the country, including Anabaptist, social gospel, principled pluralist, and Christian nationalist. Cruz describes strengths and weaknesses of each view, with a focus on Christian faithfulness.

In Faithful Politics, you'll find

• Thorough Scholarship: Presents ten distinct approaches to politics, ranging from separatist to dominionist and more
• A Balanced Presentation: Offers a nonpartisan perspective while addressing strengths and weaknesses
• Scriptural and Theological Insights: Establishes guiding principles grounded in Scripture to help shape faithful political participation

Cruz observes that in the United States Christians with shared faith convictions can often reach differing political conclusions. However, Scripture and theology provide guiding principles that shape our thinking and remind us that our ultimate citizenship is in the kingdom of God. Faithful Politics invites readers to learn from Christians of the past as we discern how to be salt and light in our own time and place.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781514007495
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	08/20/2024
Pages:	232
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Miranda Zapor Cruz is professor of historical theology at Indiana Wesleyan University. She holds a PhD in religion, politics, and society from Baylor University's J. M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies and an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction: Christian Citizenship in the Kingdom and the Country

1. Citizens of the Kingdom
2. Biblical Dual Citizenship
3. Salty Citizenship
4. Keeping the Kingdom Out of the Country: Three Separatist Approaches
5. Keeping the Country Out of the Kingdom: Two Separationist Approaches
6. Bringing the Kingdom into the Country: Social Gospel Approaches
7. Keeping the Country Under the Kingdom: Two Calvinist Approaches
8. Invading the Country to Establish the Kingdom: Dominionist Approaches
9. Eroding the Distinction Between Kingdom and Country: Christian Nationalism

Conclusion: Kingdom Citizenship
General Index
Scripture Index

Editorial Reviews

"Do we really need another book on Christianity and politics? After reading Dr. Cruz's Faithful Politics, my answer is a resounding yes! Drawing from theology, history, and political science, she has written a fresh, nuanced, and engaging guide to Christian political engagement for our polarized times. I particularly appreciate her clear and winsome voice as she helpfully analyzes and synthesizes various existing approaches. This is a book I wish I had written. I can't wait to read it with my students and hear what they say about it."

Chan Woong Shin

"The most comprehensive understanding of the role of the Christian believer in national politics from a biblical, theological, and historical perspective to date. A classic for generations. Research in Faithful Politics is extensive yet reads with ease. This is an essential book for leaders in all walks of life to have depth of understanding in public morals and social concerns impacting decision-making of the same."

Jo Anne Lyon

"Dr. Cruz asks the timely question, How do we live faithfully as citizens in the kingdom of God while being engaged influencers in the political systems we also inhabit? Cruz describes several approaches and provides the historical context, theological implications, and main tenets of each, along with how that approach is practically lived into, the challenges of it, and the benefits. The emphasis of the book is to encourage thoughtful reflection and to offer practical ways we can engage with and in our political systems while being faithful to Christ's calling. A must-read for all of us today!"

Colleen Derr

"In an era dominated by clickbait headlines and disingenuous proof texts, Cruz's Faithful Politics is a breath of fresh air. This book is a trusty guide for any and all believers who are struggling to faithfully navigate the oft-bewildering and sometimes downright distressing landscape of American public life."

Heath W. Carter