Politics - According to the Bible: A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture [Hardcover]

Wayne Grudem (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 14, 2010

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: (1) 'compel religion,' (2) 'exclude religion,' (3) 'all government is demonic,' (4) 'do evangel-ism, not politics,' and (5) 'do politics, not evangelism.' He proposes a better alternative: (6) '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 fifty 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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"There are sections of this book that are uncannily timely . . . This can be a wonderful resource as we face growing tensions from an ever more powerful state."
--Chuck Colson, Founder, Prison Fellowship

"a sweeping, and inspiring, guide to politics and government .... [this book] will be on the desk next to the microphone in my radio studio" --Hugh Hewitt, professor of law and radio talk show host

"[Grudem's] biblically-based good sense overwhelms the nostrums of . . . the evangelical left." --Marvin Olasky, editor, World magazine

Conservative and hard-hitting both biblically and culturally,  . . . [it covers] the whole waterfront of America's political debate with shrewd insight and strong argument . . . . An outstanding achievement! --J I Packer, Regent College, Vancouver,

"The fuzzy thinking . . . of many evangelicals is corrected in Wayne Grudem's biblical and irenic assessment of contemporary politics." --Paige Patterson, president, Southwestern Baptist Seminary

From the Back Cover

"Precisely and exactly the call the rising generation needs to hear"
  -- Timothy Goeglein, Vice President, External Relations, Focus on the Family

Written by the author of the bestselling theology text in the world, this book not only considers today's most pressing issues, but also details the purpose of civil government and how Christians might best influence government.  Politics -- According to the Bible may be the most important book you can read on how the Bible supports conservative political positions.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 624 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 14, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310330297
• ISBN-13: 978-0310330295
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 1.9 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (52 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #22,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Church & State
  • #22 in Books > History > World > Religious > Religion, Politics & State

More About the Author

Wayne Grudem, research professor of theology and biblical studies at Phoenix Seminary, received his A.B. from Harvard, M.Div. and honorary D.D. from Westminster Seminary-Philadelphia, and Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Cambridge. He is a board member of the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society, and the author of twenty books. He was the general editor of the ESV Study Bible, and is a member of the Translation Oversight Committee for the English Standard Version Bible. He and his wife, Margaret, have been married since 1969, and they have three grown sons.
See more publications and audio and video lectures at www.waynegrudem.com.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 97 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Resource September 20, 2010

By William D. Curnutt TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

I am very excited about what a great resource this is. I loved Grudem's Systematic Theology for the detailed work yet well laid out approach to teaching Biblical Theology. So I was interested in this work on Politics based on what the Bible has to say hoping that it was going to be as well laid out.

I was not disappointed. Part one is a must read as it sets the foundation for what Grudem will detail throughout the rest of the book. It approaches his view of the Basic Principles of Politics as seen in scripture. He does a good job of talking about the Theocracy of the Old Testament and then how Jesus gives us a new view of Biblical thoughts regarding government.

Grudem states in the Introduction, "I support political positions in this book that would be called more 'conservative' than 'liberal.' . . . . It is important to understand that I see these positions as flowing out of the Bible's teaching rather than positions that I hold prior to, or independently of, those biblical teachings." I think it was important for him to state this fact so that we know that he may have had a different view of politics before he studied what the Bible had to say. I think he does a good job of also stating that he will take on some conservative, Republican, ideas as being wrong, because they don't square with the Bible.

After you have read Part 1 you can then start to read at random, depending on what topic is of most interest to you. The table of contents is extensive and helps you to find topics of interest to you that you can go directly to. I have read several of the topics I was interested in and found Grudem's work to be thought provoking. I have been challenged to think through my feelings about some issues not based on what makes me feel good or what I think is right but based on what Scripture has to say regarding the subject.

But again, read the foundational Part 1 before you start skipping around.

This is a good reference book that I think you will find as a great edition to any Biblical Library that you have started. It will give you good reference material as you start to dialogue with family and friends about the issues that are facing us today.

Many of the items are very timely. Those of us who claim to be Christians need to stop hiding our heads in the sand and start (or reaffirm) addressing the world of politics that we live in. This text will give you a great handle on what a Christian worldview should be in relation to the political scene of our country.

Enjoy!

48 of 64 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Classic Grudem November 17, 2010

By bob lewis

Format:Hardcover

I have long been a Grudem fan leaning heavily on his Systematic Theology and Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. Politics According to the Bible will occupy the opposing side to Jim Wallis' God's Politics.

I am personally in agreement with the author's position regarding the role of the believer in politics and appreciated his handling of the five opposing views regarding the believer's role. My discomfort with many of his observations and conclusions stem more from his view of the broad reach for the government in the life of the citizen. At the same time, it seemed to me he gives more attention to the public statements of the political parties as opposed to their actions over the past century or so. Platform statements are for propaganda purposes. What the parties have done is the evidence of what they believe. Seems as if there is a suggestion in scripture toward that end?

Still, the book is a great resource, especially the first four chapters while his treatment of the sixty issues affords one a starting point in considering each point. Needs to be in the Christian's library

I recommend the book along with Chuck Colson's Kingdom's In Conflict, Gary DeMarr's God and Government series, Rushdoony's Law and Liberty, and Bhansen's By What Standard.

44 of 59 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific and much-needed resource October 31, 2010

By William Muehlenberg VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This volume is invaluable for at least two main reasons. It offers a careful and well-argued overview of the biblical view of politics and government, and it also offers detailed analysis of key political issues. And in this massive volume (well over 600 pages) a lot of solid material is presented.

Grudem admits that he leans to the conservative side of politics, but argues that he does so on the basis of what the Bible teaches, rather than as a preconceived position he holds to. But as this volume makes clear, he is not above criticising fellow conservatives when the need arises.

He also admits to not writing as a lecturer in politics, but as a New Testament professor. From a Christian point of view this is not a problem. Indeed, it seems to strengthen his hand. The volume is throughout a careful assessment of a whole range of political and social issues, but always with a view to understanding how Scripture addresses such concerns.

His opening chapters on general political principles as seen in the light of the Bible offer a number of helpful insights. He of course addresses key passages such as Romans 13:1-7, and looks at other controlling NT principles. He begins by looking at five wrong (or unbiblical) positions on government and political involvement.

These include the idea that believers have nothing to do with politics; that governments should exclude religion; and that we should view government as evil and demonic. After dealing with these positions, he seeks to lay out the biblical case for Christian social and political activity.

He argues for a properly understood separation of church and state, avoiding the errors of both a theocratic take on government, and an anarchistic approach. Believers are to be involved in government, while recognising that ultimately governments cannot save anyone.

But the state is instituted by God, and has clear - but rather limited - ends. Thus Grudem argues for a restricted form of governments, recognising that neither radical libertarianism nor stifling statism is the preferred model. He argues for the importance of liberty, but notes that it is not an absolute in itself, and must be limited to some extent in a fallen world.

These first 150 pages would alone be worth the price of the book, but he gets into the real world of politics in the remainder of the volume as he looks at numerous particular issues. These include economics, the protection of life, national security, marriage and family, freedom of religion, and environmental issues.

Consider the contentious issue of same-sex marriage. Grudem argues that governments have - according to Scripture -a primary responsibility to restrain evil, bring good to society, and promote social order. When it comes to marriage, evil is restrained when sexual faithfulness between a man and a woman is legally recognised and enforced.

Marriage brings good to society in promoting social stability and the well-being of children. And social order is maintained by clearly delineating the married from the non-married. There is no right to homosexual marriage to be found in the US Constitution, and there is no violation of human rights in keeping marriage a heterosexual institution.

The law does not prohibit others from marrying, it simply states what marriage is - the union of one man and one woman. He cites various court cases in which the limiting of marriage to opposite-sex couples is not seen as engaging in sex discrimination.

Or consider the specific issue of foreign aid. What is the scriptural position on this rather complex issue? Grudem argues that good intentions need to be assessed in the light of actual outcomes. Surely any concept of Christian compassion for the poor should result in policies which actually help the poor.

He notes that over a trillion dollars in Western aid has gone to poor nations. Yet numerous studies have demonstrated that such aid has in fact often been harmful rather than helpful. Not only does it tend to result in creating a culture of dependency, but most of the money will usually go to corrupt government officials rather than those who actually need it.

Leftist Christians will argue for debt forgiveness for these countries. But a careful look at such measures shows that they tend to be counter-productive. They often result in the perpetuation of corrupt and inefficient regimes. And they encourage future reckless borrowing, since the leaders know they may well get off the hook in the future.

And as is so often the case, the poor really benefit very little from such schemes. That is because the root causes which made for such poverty in the first place are not addressed. "Forgiving debt or giving aid may meet some short-term need, but it does not change the government corruption, oppression, and destructive economic policies".

Plenty of other specific political and social issues are carefully and incisively discussed. Grudem then finishes by offering some concluding observations, including the role of the believer in the governmental process. He reminds us that while God rules over the nations, he uses his people to accomplish his ends.

He reminds us that we have a role to play to be salt and light in our communities, and that includes political and social involvement at all levels. He offers the example of Wilberforce and others as those who have made a significant difference in this world as they applied biblical truths to contemporary problems.

He closes by noting that whenever God has revived his church in the past, it resulted in not just personal renewal, but in social transformation as well. When God breaks forth in new and fresh ways, biblical principles are applied to all levels of life, from the personal to the social.

All in all this is a very important volume which not just outlines broad biblical concerns, but fleshes them out in numerous practical cases, showing how the biblical view of politics is not only relevant to modern social life, but offers plenty of constructive and workable solutions to modern problems.