Sider, The Scandal of Evangelical Politics

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Ronald J. Sider, The Scandal of Evangelical Politics: Why are Christians Missing the Chance to Really Change the World? Baker Books, 2008.

Prequel: Sider, The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience

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LifeandLeadership.com Summary

In this sequel to The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience, (link) which laments the disconnect between evangelicals’ espoused faith and lived practice, Sider shifts his audience to the emerging evangelical political power-block for their failure to capitalize on the opportunity their influence affords them to shape public policy toward social justice and moral renewal. He offers a philosophy of political policy-making, ethical discernment, and ministry intervention on a variety of issues ranging from war, abortion, same-sex marriage, and environmentalism. He strongly supports democracy and capitalism, but warns against the tendency of materialism to blind Christians to their own greed and desensitize their concern for the “least of these.” It is clear from both the level of scholarship and the reasonable tone of the book that Sider intends to be as balanced and nonpartisan as his convictions will allow.

From the Publisher

“Christian political activity today is a disaster.”

So begins Ron Sider’s analysis of contemporary evangelical political engagement. Christians have failed along all points of the political spectrum to subject their inherited political perspectives to the lordship of Christ via thoughtful, biblical critique. The result is infighting, lack of effective political influence, and worst of all, harm to our gospel witness.

Evangelicals have the opportunity to promote the well-being of all through a uniquely Christian political vision. Combining biblical principles with societal analysis, Sider helps develop an irenic approach for doing politics in a wise, biblically grounded way that honors Christ and acknowledges his lordship over all areas of life.

“Sider is one of our most important public theologians.”—Jim Wallis, president, Sojourners; author, God’s Politics

“Sider serves up his most compelling statement ever on how Christians can and should influence American government.”—John J. DiIulio Jr., first director, White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives; author, Godly Republic

“This book should be a guidebook for Christians who want to be a voice for Jesus in shaping social policy.”—Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor, Northland, A Church Distributed; executive committee member, National Association of Evangelicals

“A mature, balanced, well-informed, richly biblical Christian political ethic for a broad audience.”—David P. Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer University; president, Evangelicals for Human Rights; author, The Future of Faith in American Politics

“Sider’s work has undoubtedly helped usher in an era in which fewer believers rush to embrace the secular ideologies of either Left or Right—and even less the rancorous behavior associated with them—and instead embrace a deeper biblical ethic as a guide to political positions as well as public conduct.”—Don Eberly, author; White House aide to presidents Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush

“American evangelicals should read and discuss this book and think hard about the kind of organizing that will be needed to fulfill genuine political responsibility.”—James W. Skillen, president, Center for Public Justice

“Sider provides a road map, a guide to help Christians of all political persuasions to develop a relevant and just political philosophy.”—Tony Hall, United States ambassador, United Nations, Rome

About the Author

Ronald J. Sider is the president of Evangelicals for Social Action and professor of theology, holistic ministry, and public policy at Palmer Theological Seminary. He is the author of more than twenty-five books, including the well-received The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience, Just Generosity, and the bestselling Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger.

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