Politics According to the Bible

Author: Wayne Grudem

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.

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Introduction

PART 1: BASIC PRINCIPLES

1. Five Wrong Views about Christians and Government
2. A Better Solution: Significant Christian Influence on Government
3. Biblical Principles Concerning Government
4. A Biblical Worldview
5. The Courts and the Question of Ultimate Power in a Nation

PART 2: SPECIFIC ISSUES

6. The Protection of Life
7. Marriage
8. The Family
9. Economics
10. The Environment
11. National Defense
12. Foreign Policy
13. Freedom of Speech
14. Freedom of Religion
15. Special Groups

PART 3: CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS

16. The Problem of Media Bias: When the Watchdogs Fall Asleep
17. Application to Democratic and Republican Policies Today
18. Faith and Works, and Trusting God While Working in Politics and Government