Goverment is not reason, it is not eloquence. It is force. Like it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. George Washington

Should Christians be involved in political issues? This comprehensive and readable book presents a political philosophy from the perspective that the Gospel pertains to all of life, including politics. Politics—According to the Bible is an in-depth analysis of conservative and liberal plans to do good for the nation, evaluated in light of the Bible and common sense. Evangelical Bible professor, and author of the bestselling book Systematic Theology, Wayne Grudem unpacks and rejects five common views about Christian influence on politics: "compel religion," "exclude religion," "all government is demonic," "do evangelism, not politics," and "do politics, not evangelism." Instead, he defends a position of "significant Christian influence on government" and explains the Bible's teachings about the purpose of civil government and the characteristics of good or bad governments. Grudem provides a thoughtful analysis of over fifty specific and current political 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. Throughout this book, 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.

In the beginning, during the time of the Patriarchs, no government existed but the rule of God directly over man. After the flood, men like Nimrod began placing themselves between God and man as they built their kingdoms and established their own authority. Despite civil government's origin and history being rooted in rebellion and arrogance against the Creator of man, God has found a use for it. He has ordained civil government for a purpose - to punish evildoers and to protect the liberty and security of its people, so that we may be able to "lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" (1 Timothy 2:2). When government progresses beyond its limited, God-ordained role, both history and Scripture warn that such action eventually becomes a threat to God's people. This material focuses on what the Scriptures teach about the origin, history, nature, and role of civil government, so that we as God's people might heed the instructions and warnings contained in His word. The point of this is not to argue for or against any particular candidate or political party, but for Christians to remember to be loyal to God first, and to be reluctant to call for government to expand its powers beyond the role which God ordained for it.

How can the church move forward in unity amid such political strife and cultural contention? As Christians, we’ve felt pushed to the outskirts of national public life, yet even within our congregations we are divided about how to respond. Some want to strengthen the evangelical voting bloc. Others focus on social justice causes, and still others would abandon the public square altogether. What do we do when brothers and sisters in Christ sit next to each other in the pews but feel divided and angry? Is there a way forward? In How the Nations Rage, political theology scholar and pastor Jonathan Leeman challenges Christians from across the spectrum to hit the restart button by shifting our focus from redeeming the nation to living as a nation already redeemed rejecting the false allure of building heaven on earth while living faithfully as citizens of a heavenly kingdom letting Jesus’ teaching shape our public engagement as we love our neighbors and seek justice When we identify with Christ more than a political party or social grouping, we can return to the church’s unchanging political task: to become the salt and light Jesus calls us to be and offer the hope of his kingdom to the nations.