Instead of a clinical list, the bibliography consists of a stunning visual bookshelf. For this and many other reasons, Jesus for President is just plain cool. It's also an impactful work. The authors, Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw, are convinced that the American church has found itself in an unfortunate and unbiblical situation. The American church has found itself seduced by political power and compromised by its relationship to this new empire. Rather than a partisan plea for the church to embrace a specific political agenda (or candidate), Jesus for President urges an enlarging of the political imagination of the church, which exists as part of the kingdom of Jesus--her (true) king. The book is rooted in the Scriptures and the early church. In fact, the book presents a Biblical theology of politics, which demands that the people of God depend and rely upon God rather than on any political system.

First, the authors show how Israel was designed to be different than the other nations by having God as their head and living differently (the Law). Unfortunately, Israel wanted a king like everyone else. Thus, most of the Hebrew Scriptures are a narrative of the good and bad kings of Israel. Eventually, the narratives turn towards the collision of Israel with the great empires of the Ancient World: Egypt, Assyria, Persia, and Babylon. These narratives emphasize that empires are anti-God.

Second, the authors move into the world of the Gospels and remind us that Jesus was not born into a political vacuum. Jesus was born into a land ruled by the Roman Empire (the empire of empires) mediated by a Jewish client king (Herod the Great) amidst a climate ripe for uprising and violence. Jesus for President successfully shows how Jesus submitted to and subverted the empire. The authors are quick to constantly point out Jesus’ stance of non-violence. They note that though result of this non-violence was the crucified Christ at the hands of the empire, Jesus turned that defeat into victory. Likewise, his followers and the early church continued to be pacifists and were often persecuted for their stance.

Third, once the Biblical and theological foundations of the work have been laid, the authors begin applying these truths to the contemporary American political landscape. They point out that America operates as an empire and note the many parallels with ancient Rome. Constructively, the authors ask Christians to rethink what it means to live in community, to reduce debt, to promote peace, and to pledge allegiance to the kingdom of God rather than to America. Their interpretations and applications are extreme, leaving no room for middle ground. Should Christians withdrawal from government and military life? (C.f. Luke 3:10-14 where John the Baptists exhorts soldiers and tax collectors to work ethically; we also Christ interact with government officials and military officers, calling them to live ethical and generous lives without calling them to leave their line of work.) Are all Christians who are involved in politics as extreme as Claibourne and Haw paint them? While some of their conclusions may be extreme and debatable, it challenges our assumptions of what it means to be Christ-followers and American.

The Biblical and theological backbone of Jesus for President is excellent. It explains how terms were used culturally and incited specific reactions that we don't readily understand in our culture or in the translations of the Bible. The authors do a wonderful job translating truths currently dominating the academy. In fact, whether the reader agrees or disagrees with how the authors apply their work to contemporary politics, the early chapters are a must-read to begin understanding the political dimensions of the Scriptures. The contemporary applications are interesting and, of course, controversial. Like the prophets of old, Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw speak harsh truths to the people of God for their syncretism and the idolatry that always accompanies empire. Usually, their critique is accurate, but it will undoubtedly shock and infuriate many American Christians who find nothing wrong with “God and Country.” For those, this is still an important book to read in order to begin thinking critically about how their faith and politics interact. This is a beautifully written and creative critique of the American church that must be taken seriously and read critically.

Review by Daniel Adkinson and Heather A. Goodman