A book review by Dr John Hayward

Dr John Hayward

Claiming to be 'A Comprehensive Resource for Understanding Modern Political Issues in Light of Scripture', Wayne Grudem's indispensable guide to Politics: According To The Bible explains why the gospel calls believers to political engagement, what biblical principles should inform our engagement and then systematically applies these to about 60 contemporary political challenges.

Helpfully, the author regularly lists and responds to objections to his positions and includes arguments from reason and experience apart from the Bible. Occasionally, evidence cited falls short of his usual high standard of critical engagement - e.g. that on capital punishment is less than comprehensive - but on most points his analysis presents a strong case.

The book will leave readers with a better grasp of why so much Christian political thought in America emphasises abortion and same sex issues. Such concerns - which are increasingly widespread in Britain and could appear quaint if they weren't so irrelevant to the majority of the population - are evident, for instance, in the section on specific issues, which begins with chapters on the protection of life, marriage, and the family before getting to more mainstream concerns such as the economy and the environment. Yet, while it is right that we make the case for 'what is helpful or harmful to individuals and to society', we 'must also remember that inwardly transformed people are needed if we are ever going to see a transformed society. Merely passing good laws and having good government will never be enough to change a society.'

That said, clearly the 'equality' lobby have brought such attention upon themselves as homosexuals have sought special rights and protections under the law over and above those that they have enjoyed in law equally with all citizens. Grudem eloquently demonstrates this in his section on how the nine unelected members of the US Supreme Court have lately appropriated the power not only to interpret and judge according to the nation's laws and Constitution, but also to make new laws - a section that has worrying parallels with what is reportedly happening with Britain's Law Lords and Supreme Court. Here he persuasively argues that the question of who rules the US and appoints its judges is the most important issue facing the nation.

While he acknowledges that 'the laws that God gave to Israel can still provide useful information for understanding the purposes of government and the nature of good and bad government', at times it feels that since 'we cannot do this directly, and we can only do it with much difficulty,' he too easily looks to the key texts of Genesis 9:5-6, Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-14 for an answer. So, he could have engaged more with the Bible's rich social legislation, particularly on the economy, but instead misses an opportunity when he concludes his section on the recent recession without exploring the Bible's many warnings against debt and the charging of interest or the possible modern significance of Old Testament legislation on periodic forgiveness of debts. On the other hand, others might feel he too often refers to the economic impact of policies, whereas a more Biblical perspective might have more often analysed their relational impact and the extent to which they promote love of God and neighbour.

On taxation, he makes the case well that so-called 'progressive' taxes are neither fair nor Biblical. He also observes that 'redistribution of income (which is different from basic support of the very poor) is not part of punishing evil and rewarding good, and it is not part of impartially enforcing justice; rather, it is carrying out an additional social agenda that the Bible does not support.' Yet, given that history teaches that charitable giving alone cannot ensure living standards adequate for the health and wellbeing of all, some will doubtless recall Jim Wallis' assertion, 'the question "whatever became of the common good?" must be a constant religious refrain to political partisans.' Others may find Grudem guilty of the same mistake of which Wallis accuses the Left - that is, disconnecting personal faith from public politics - and wonder what significance Biblical teaching on justice, mercy and righteousness (and all they mean for right relationships) might hold for the vocation of those called to be our public representatives.

Overall, Grudem has given believers an invaluable resource to encourage greater engagement in the church's mission to be salt and light in the world. He could have identified the wider variety of Biblical ideas drawn upon by believers across the political and faith spectrum, even where he judges these not to be relevant to the purposes of civil government as defined by the Bible. After all, as he rightly quotes, 'God is not a Republican or a Democrat' - that is, no political party has a monopoly on God and religion. Exploring to what extent the Bible offers a 'third way' to both free market capitalism and socialism, rather than just critiquing the latter, would also have been good. As it is, 'Politics - According to the Bible' at times appears quite partisan, although Grudem addresses even this concern in a concluding chapter, in which he encourages readers to read Wallis' 'God's Politics' for a contrasting worldview, to read the Bible, and then to decide 'which arguments are the most persuasive.'

Even those who disagree with his conclusions will be forced to think hard about why they believe what they do. Ultimately, he seeks to show how we should live our entire lives continually trusting in God, obeying him and living lives filled with 'good works'.

This is an abridged version of a review that first appeared on the Jubilee Centre website.

You can buy Politics: According To The Bible from Cross Rhythms Direct for £24.69