Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies

'The world is awash in terror, tyranny, and trauma, divisions and despair, not just in the west, but in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Our world seems dangerously combustible, due to financial crises, pandemics, increasing injustices and inequalities, democratic chaos, geo-political upheaval, wars and rumours of more wars to come.’ In Jesus and the Powers Tom Wright and Michael F. Bird join forces to address the pressing question: How can Christians engage with the turbulent politics of our times while remaining true to the teaching and example of Jesus? With wisdom and clarity, Wright and Bird present a compelling case for Christians to embody a counter-cultural witness that upholds the biblical ideals of justice, mercy and truth while vigorously opposing oppressive political schemes based on autocracy and nationalism. Grounded in the transformative message of Jesus and the apostles, Jesus and the Powers challenges believers to embrace their role as agents of God's Kingdom by courageously standing against tyrannical forces wherever they may appear, and by helping to cultivate flourishing liberal democracies that promote the freedom, dignity and well-being of all people. 'I know of no other book that comes even close to locating, so insightfully and in such rich detail, Christian political activity within the context of the coming of the kingdom.' Nicholas Wolterstorff, Professor Emeritus of Philosophical Theology, Yale University