The Political Teachings of Jesus

The Political Teachings of Jesus

Since the beginning of the Christian era, people have used the words and ideas of Jesus to justify all manner of political action. Despite these repeated attempts, few have been able to move past the rhetoric and understand the true nature of Jesus's political views. Now, in The Political Teachings of Jesus , longtime political analyst and commentator Tod Lindberg goes beyond political punditry to address how Jesus's words and teachings—once a radical set of ideas—have come to define our concept of government and our vision for society. With nuanced prose, Lindberg draws a crucial distinction between Christ's religious and political teachings, presenting a detailed discussion of the world transformation that Jesus sought through his words, stories, and sayings. Guiding readers through the social and political dialogue of the Gospels, Lindberg expertly analyzes how Jesus's principles of universal freedom and equality have combined in our social order to become the unacknowledged bedrock of the modern world. In addition, he offers a provocative look at the role that Jesus's words have played in the formation of the modern democratic ideal, demonstrating how the basic principles of both liberal and conservative thought find common roots in the Christian messiah's words. Through close reading of the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus's parables, Lindberg offers a sophisticated portrait of Jesus as a teacher of unique insight and perception, one whose political views have transcended time and become essential to the way everyone lives in our society. In an era when people on both sides of the aisle are prone to using Jesus's beliefs for their own ends, The Political Teachings of Jesus is a refreshingly clear-eyed take on our shared concepts of government and society—and their common roots between the covers of the New Testament. “Jesusian politics dare to propose an ideal to be striven for: a world without enemies―a vision that Europe is at last, after centuries of turmoil, struggling to construct on its own territory. This book makes one think again, and more deeply.” - ―Michael Novak, author of Washington's God “Jesusian politics dare to propose a world without enemies...This book makes one think again, and more deeply.” - ―Michael Novak, author of Washington's God “Tod Lindberg has performed something of a miracle: At a moment when the role of faith in politics is a hugely divisive matter, he offers a clear, careful and exciting analysis of Jesus’ political teachings that will earn this book respect and attention across all our political boundaries. And Lindberg reminds us that so many of the moral commitments we take to be ‘modern’ and ‘advanced’ owe far more than we realize to the power of the ideas offered by a man of humble origins from Nazareth.” - E.J. Dionne, author of Why American's Hate Politics “Lindberg offers a clear, careful, and exciting analysis of Jesus’s political teachings.” - E.J. Dionne, author of Why American's Hate Politics “You will never read the Bible or hear a sermon the same way after reading The Political Teachings of Jesus.” - --Anne-Marie Slaughter, author of The Idea That Is America “A fascinating analysis...” - ―Norman Podhoretz, author of The Prophets “Whether you’re a Republican, Democrat, independent, or even an agnostic, you will appreciate this book for its fairness and thoughtfulness.” - ―Paul Kengor, author of God and Ronald Reagan “Tod Lindberg has given us a plausible, this-worldly Jesus...It’s a significant achievement--bold, thoughtful, and beautifully written.” - ―Andrew Ferguson, author of Land of Lincoln Since the beginning of the Christian era, people have used the words and ideas of Jesus to justify all manner of political action. Despite these repeated attempts, few have been able to move past the rhetoric and understand the true nature of Jesus's political views. Now, in The Political Teachings of Jesus , longtime political analyst and commentator Tod Lindberg goes beyond political punditry to address how Jesus's words and teachings—once a radical set of ideas—have come to define our concept of government and our vision for society. With nuanced prose, Lindberg draws a crucial distinction between Christ's religious and political teachings, presenting a detailed discussion of the world transformation that Jesus sought through his words, stories, and sayings. Guiding readers through the social and political dialogue of the Gospels, Lindberg expertly analyzes how Jesus's principles of universal freedom and equality have combined in our social order to become the unacknowledged bedrock of the modern world. In addition, he offers a provocative look at the role that Jesus's words have played in the formation of the modern democratic ideal, demonstrating how the basic principles of both liberal and conservative thought find common roots in the Christian messiah's words. Through close reading of the Sermon on the Mount and Jesus's parables, Lindber