The final chapters in the book, Jesus and the Powers, are a struggle for me. Chapter 7 is the struggle. Chapter 8 is the summary.

The fact of the matter, for Wright and Bird, is that government of some form is necessary. I can’t disagree. For all the shouting people do about corrupt government (on the “right” or the “left”), there is still an underlying need for social order and government is a system that is deeply flawed and usable, all at the same time.

They will go on to argue for the best form of government in their view. Even though that best form is flawed, it is hopeful for the Church to be in that government. There are still warnings:

Without a shared story, we cease caring about the common good and allow our minds to be dulled by endless entertainment, we cease to have the ability to discern truth from lies, or we demand that all opposition is destroyed even if this overthrows our own freedoms. (p. 155)

This sums up the American context perfectly. We have lost sight of the common good. We are easily entertained, have lost our ability to discern, and the extremes of the “right” and the “left” really wish the other side didn’t exist.

What I don’t like about the chapter is their desire to lift up any form of government. Yes, I like their form of government explained and it’s a good idea. However, that’s not what many believers in the world have as their own governments. We can argue “best government” from comfortable positions of power in England, Australia, and the U.S. The Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia… not so much.

I’m not nearly as interested as arguing “best practices” for a government in the comforts of Western Christianity as I am focusing on the Kingdom of God and our needed allegiance to the King in the face of any government that will, with all honesty, come up against the allegiances of the Kingdom at some point in some way.

So, some conclusions:

First, we live in a world where our moment is in turmoil. We need to recognize there are these moments in history as well, but we are living in a time, as Western Christians, where the systems we have known for generations and centuries are now being torn apart. It is not a stable time.

Second, empires have come and gone throughout history so what can we learn from those moments? We need to learn from early Christian history that while gaining favor from Rome was a nice reprieve from persecution, the resulting Christendom was fraught with problems and the Church and State intermingled and the Church became the dominant power in the West. That place of “church and state” has been bothersome ever since.

Third, Christianity has always had a public witness, and our conception of the kingdom shapes how we relate to the political and social challenges of the day. (p. 175) Ultimately, we need to realization that Christ is indeed building his Kingdom and we are anticipating a new creation. Our testimony in this world has implications and we need to live in this world bearing witness to our King. It is a walk of discernment so we don’t mix too closely with political power, nor do we run and hide from political influence. We need our prophetic voice.

Fourth, God grants authority to governments. Jesus, however, is the ultimate authority for how divine design works best for humanity and creation. Human authority gets corrupted by the pursuit of power. Christ has put all powers under his feet. The Church is to walk in that authority and when governments step outside the God-given authority, the Church uses its prophetic voice to call the powers back to accountability.

Fifth, all active believers have a duty to public witness. Only God can build his kingdom on earth. We are here to bear witness to his work in the world. We are to build FOR the kingdom. We are preparing for his reign. We are called to public service, not to wield ultimate power. We seek to serve, not to dominate.

Sixth, we will always need wisdom and discernment when it comes to our relationship to governments on earth. We walk in tension in every form of government in every age of human history. We have to face tyranny and act with boldness. We do not always “win.”

Seventh, we face many types of tyranny and we must rise up to resist. What that looks like in each instance requires wisdom and discernment. “Christian faith is an allegiance to King Jesus, and that allegiance often requires the Church to engage in active defiance of tyranny, cruelty, corruption, and despotism.” (p. 177)

Finally, there was the examination of the nature of state authority. While there is a need for government, there is the reality that state power must be limited. Their argument for liberal democracy is nice, but we have to face the truth that state authority isn’t always a liberal democracy and believers have to walk with discernment and wisdom to know how to navigate stormy times in their own lives.

I would add my own FINALLY: This is a battle and we’re not prepared as Western Christians. We are comfortable. For white Christians, we have a place of privilege where we can shout “CRT” or “WOKE” or “MARXIST” and go back to sleep because we are obviously “right.” That is not “strength” or “courage.” It is lazy privilege and it does not prepare us to take on the powers Jesus took on in his day.

We need to jolt awake in our spiritual lives, be restored to the beautiful reality of the Kingdom of God, and not wring our hands over any culture wars raging around us. We have to learn to walk in humility, not fear. We live in peace with our King and work to bring kingdom flourishing to those around us. We need more depth in our spiritual walk and more depth in our walk among those not like us.

Our culture is moving us to a new “Balkanization” of our country. We want to live around those like us. Then, we throw ideological grenades at those NOT like us. I would call us to not surrender to these comfortable, cultural temptations. Live in kingdom blessing and reach out without fear.

Jesus took on the powers. He will always be taking on those powers in this age. The battle is his. We are to walk in his victory and JOY.

Love God. Love others.

It’s time to get back to our call and vocation.

PART ONE
PART TWO
PART THREE
PART FOUR
PART FIVE
PART SIX
PART SEVEN