Review (PDF) Politics - According To The Bible: A Comprehensive Resource For Understanding Modern Political Issues In Light Of Scripture
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.
Hardcover: 624 pages
Publisher: Zondervan; 8.4.2010 edition (September 3, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0310330297
ISBN-13: 978-0310330295
Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 1.8 x 9.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #34,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #48 in Books > History > World > Religious > Religion, Politics & State #49 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Church & State #584 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Theology
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.
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