This
book fulfills the author's purpose of explaining the political values
of Jesus and first century Jews, and demonstrating how today's
Christians emulate these same values in the politics of our society.
Franklin identifies four groups of Jews in the gospels, outlining the
connection between their spiritual and political points of view. He
then uses Scripture to show how Jesus interacted with each of those
four types, challenging them to a higher standard. In the final
chapter of Jesus Politics
he draws parallels between the four groups of Jews and four types of
Christians in our own time, while challenging us to respond to
Jesus's calling to that higher standard.
There
was another great take-away for me personally. We all know that God's
Word is alive, but I doubt that we ponder how that actually impacts
our study. We've all experienced getting a new meaning from a passage
as we read it when in the midst of different life circumstances, but
as I read this book I was keenly aware of how I was reading
well-known Bible stories and viewing them in radically new ways
without changing any core values that were previously revealed. The
new insights were enlightening and inspiring. God's Word truly felt
alive and energizing as I engaged with the familiar from a very
unfamiliar view point.
Hearing
the author's voice as I read (a writing skill I always worked to
instill in the young writers I taught) also served to remind me of
the importance of being actively engaged in a Christian community,
and, while worshiping and serving together, truly listening to one
another and learning from one another. If you are in or wish to join
a small group within your Christian community, Jesus
Politics would be a great book
to initiate discussion as we proceed into the next political cycle.
I
am grateful to have received a copy of this book from the author. He
had not requested that I write or share a review, but I find it a
privilege to do so.
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