The Politics of Jesus

In One.Life: Jesus Calls, We Follow I am making a case for an alternative politics. The book is now available in bookstores and online, and I hope you can read it and get a group to study it — and being to live out the One.Life challenge.

Instead of American and Western Christians anchoring their hope in the political process, instead of waging war in the public forum for platform issues, and instead of the ups and downs of hope and despair that arise in the election process, I contend the Politics of Jesus is the Church and, in particular, your local church.

Jesus’ politics is a body of people living an alternative life. Jesus’ politics is kingdom living in the here and now. Jesus’ politics are not concerned with power, but the revolutionary power of love and service and justice and peace and wisdom. Jesus’ politics is nothing short of the power of kingdom holiness.

In the Politics of Jesus, we find an imagination fired by parabolic visions of a different order. We find an eschatology anchored in the act of God through his people. We find a power that emerges from the Holy Spirit. We find a community with a mission to serve its community instead of being served by that community.

Instead of exploitation, we find extension. Instead of violence, we find peace. Instead of acquisition, we find giving.