Politics according to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture

by Wayne Grudem

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2010

Overview

A variety of perspectives exist within the Christian community when it comes to political issues and political involvement. This comprehensive and readable book presents a political philosophy from the perspective that the Gospel pertains to all of life so Christians should be involved in political issues. In brief, this is an analysis of conservative and liberal plans to do good for the nation, evaluated in light of the Bible and common sense. In this ground-breaking book, recognized evangelical Bible professor Wayne Grudem rejects five mistaken views about Christian influence on politics:

• “Compel religion”
• “Exclude religion”
• “All government is demonic”
• “Do evangelism, not politics”
• “Do politics, not evangelism”

He proposes a better alternative: “significant Christian influence on government.” Then he explains the Bible’s teachings about the purpose of civil government and the characteristics of good or bad government. Does the Bible support some form of democracy? Should judges and the courts hold the ultimate power in a nation? With respect to specific political issues, Grudem argues that most people’s political views depend on deep-seated assumptions about several basic moral and even theological questions, such as whether God exists, whether absolute moral standards can be known, whether there is good and evil in each person’s heart, whether people should be accountable for their good and bad choices, whether property should belong to individuals or to society, and whether the purpose of the earth’s resources is to bring benefit to mankind.

After addressing these foundational questions, Grudem provides a thoughtful, carefully-reasoned analysis of over 50 specific issues dealing with the protection of life, marriage, the family and children, economic issues and taxation, the environment, national defense, relationships to other nations, freedom of speech and religion, quotas, and special interests. He makes frequent application to the current policies of the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States, but the principles discussed here are relevant for any nation.

Key Features

• Preface by the author
• Five wrong views of Christians and politics
• Bibliographical references and indexes

Contents

Top Highlights

“But the principle remains: I think Christians should support the candidate who best represents moral and political values consistent with biblical teaching, no matter what his or her religious background or convictions.” (Page 68)

“The ‘significant influence’ view says that Christians should seek to influence civil government according to God’s moral standards and God’s purposes for government as revealed in the Bible (when rightly understood). But while Christians exercise this influence, they must simultaneously insist on protecting freedom of religion for all citizens. In addition, ‘significant influence’ does not mean angry, belligerent, intolerant, judgmental, red-faced, and hate-filled influence, but rather winsome, kind, thoughtful, loving, persuasive influence that is suitable to each circumstance and that always protects the other person’s right to disagree, but that is also uncompromising about the truthfulness and moral goodness of the teachings of God’s Word.” (Page 55)

“My primary purpose in the book is not to be liberal or conservative, or Democratic or Republican, but to explain a biblical worldview and a biblical perspective on issues of politics, law, and government.” (Page 13)

“The commands to Noah in Genesis 9 were given at the beginning of the reestablishment of human society after God destroyed all but Noah’s family in the waters of the flood. Therefore careful biblical interpretation would not limit the principles in Genesis 9:5–6 to the time of the Old Testament only or to the nation of Israel only, for neither limitation is supported by the context in which these statements are found. These principles have relevance for the whole human race for all time.” (Page 78)

Praise for the Print Edition

A wonderful resource as we face growing tensions from an ever more powerful state.

—Chuck Colson, founder, Colson Center for Christian Worldview

Grudem’s biblically-based good sense overwhelms the nostrums of . . . evangelical left.

—Marvin Olasky, editor-in-chief, World

Precisely and exactly the call the rising generation needs to hear.

—Timothy Goeglein, vice president, External Relations, Focus on the Family

Product Details

• Title: Politics according to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture
• Author: Wayne Grudem
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2010
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Pages: 624
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Political science › Philosophy; Politics in the Bible; Bible and politics; Christianity and politics; Church and social problems
• ISBNs: 9780310493884, 9780310330295, 0310493889, 0310330297
• Resource ID: LLS:POLITICSBBL
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T02:17:33Z

About Wayne Grudem

Wayne Grudem is a New Testament scholar turned theologian, author, and research professor of Bible and theology at Phoenix Seminary, Arizona. He earned a BA from Harvard University, an MDiv from Westminster Theological Seminary, and a PhD from the University of Cambridge. In 2001 Grudem moved to Phoenix Seminary after having taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for more than twenty years where he was also the chairman of the Department of Biblical and Systematic Theology.