This book presents a clear picture of what it means for Christians to be involved in the political process. The author provides an understanding of how Christians should interact between church life and political life. He examines a number of scriptural passages with the understanding that one cannot make direct connections between modern life and the Bible. He then takes this interpretation and creates principles for political life. He uses these principles to make suggestions for movement in the political sphere. The Athol doesn’t make specific policy proposals but rather gives an impression about what our common political life should look like.
I have heard the phrase that one does not take the Bible literally but rather seriously. This book is a great example of what that would look like especially in the political sphere. ( )

Dr. Gutenson was one of my seminary professors, and I confess, he was one of my favorites. His biblical exegesis was always good and he challenged us to move beyond simply proof texting passages to hear their context and history and then draw conclusions for our modern culture based on the outcome that God desired for us as his people. This book continues that tradition and expands on it to discuss the role of Christian faith in modern public policy. Gutenson argues that it is not necessarily in shaping specific policies but in helping us as a community to achieve the outcome that God has in mind for us. He begins with biblical passages that define God's vision of how His people should live together and the kind of culture they should strive to build. Then he brings those outcomes forward to discuss them in the modern context concluding the book with a look at specific issues before us today and how the outcomes we have just described need to shape the discussion. The book is an excellent read and I would rate it with more stars than are available. For a fuller review, please see my blog, Preacher on a Soapbox at http://preacheronasoapbox.blogspot.com/ ( )