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Political Visions & Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies Paperback – June 16, 2003

by David T. Koyzis (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars 4 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 281 pages
  • Publisher: IVP Academic (June 16, 2003)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0830827269
  • ISBN-13: 978-0830827268
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 starsEssential reading for Christians who care about politics
By E. Ritzema on June 10, 2012
Format: Paperback
David T. Koyzis, who teaches political science at Redeemer University College in Ontario, has written an extremely helpful book for Christians who seek to understand the contemporary political climate. He begins by looking at the nature of ideologies, saying that they tend to locate sources of evil and salvation within the created order, and are therefore idolatrous from a Christian perspective. He then devotes a chapter each to five different ideologies: liberalism, conservatism, nationalism, democracy and socialism. He closes the book with three "what next" chapters: First, there is a chapter on Christians rejecting the monisms of the ideologies and affirming social pluriformity. Second, he includes a chapter that looks at two nonideological Christian alternatives: subsidiarity, which is commonly associated with Catholic social teaching, and sphere-sovereignty (or differentiated responsibility), which is commonly associated with Dutch Reformed thinking. Koyzis does a good job at explaining both, and expresses a preference for the latter. Finally, there is a chapter looking at the state's role in fostering justice.

There are two reasons why I would recommend this book: first, Koyzis is familiar with a wide range of ideas in the history of political thought. He is able to explain the history of the concept of ideology, as well as the histories of the various ideologies themselves. That ability to give context is invaluable in a culture that rarely gets beyond sound bites and slogans. Second, I appreciated that it is written from a Christian perspective. Of course, not all Christians will agree with everything Koyzis writes, but the fact that he writes as a Christian enables him to step back from the ideologies and evaluate them based on how they understand God's created world.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsThe idolatry of ideology... and what to do about it
By Kyle A. Dillon on October 29, 2015
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
All humans long for redemption. We cannot escape the feeling that the world is not as it should be, and things need to be set right. Christians find the answer in Jesus Christ, whose coming kingdom will one day bring an end to all sin and injustice. Unbelievers, on the other hand, tend to locate redemption within the unfolding of human history. The idea that salvation can be achieved through earthly means has given rise to the numerous political ideologies that David Koyzis helpfully examines in Political Visions and Illusions. Many Christians have unwittingly bought into these ideologies, failing to see the ways in which they run counter to the biblical worldview. Other Christians have given up on political engagement altogether, often in the name of the “spiritual” nature of the church’s mission. Koyzis rejects both these approaches and proposes a uniquely Christian way of engaging the public sphere, avoiding the pitfalls of the various secular ideologies. His goal is not to offer yet another path to redemption through human effort, but rather to show how Christians, who live in light of the unique redemptive work of Christ, ought to think and act differently in political life.

Koyzis makes the claim that all ideologies are essentially forms of idolatry, elevating some aspect of creation to the level of ultimate significance. This generally entails the demonization of some other aspect of creation, leading Koyzis to conclude that political ideologies are really just modern versions of the ancient heresy of gnosticism. Christians have traditionally affirmed that sin is an alien intruder in God’s good creation, but Christ has entered into creation to redeem it. By contrast, gnostics find the source of both evil and salvation within the structure of creation itself.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsA must read fior Christians in Politics
By Bill Rusin on February 21, 2010
Format: Paperback
There are too many Politicians who are Christians who seem to have a simplistic view of politics whose default position seems to be philsophically liberal democratically inclined based on the autonomy of the individual except in issues of personal morality. In modern pluralist societies, imposition of these values, though understandable, do not serve the Christian community well in its witness to the wider community.
He provides a critique of the dominant political theorists/movements and shows both their strengths and weaknesses and how each one ultimately does not and cannot stand up to the scrutiny of Scripture.
I only wish that Christians would encourage those in politics to read this book, even though they might disagree with what Koyzis has to say.
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5.0 out of 5 starsGreat Introduction
By Robert M. Lindsey on February 5, 2004
Format: Paperback
This is a terrific book for anyone with a Judeo-Christian outlook that is interested in political theory. This would make a great textbook for classes as well. Although he sets up some straw men, Koyzis has plenty of original insights into the issues and what makes for true govenment, authority, and justice.
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