FA I T H A N D T H E A C A D E M Y: E N G A G I N G T H E C U LT U R E W I T H G R A C E A N D T R U T H
Book Reviews Hunter Brown Student Fellow, Center for Apologetics & Cultural Engagement, Liberty University
The Political Disciple: A Theology of Public Life is Dr. Vincent E. Bacote’s addition to Zondervan’s Ordinary Theology Series in which he offers an answer for Christians seeking to understand their role and responsibility in society and public engagement. Writing for everyone from pastors to college students — including those skeptical of Christian political engagement — Bacote urges Christians to develop an active, public faith, embrace a biblical identity, and approach public engagement in Spirit-led holiness with an expectation of suffering. In four concise chapters, Bacote answers the questions, “Should Christians even participate in the public sphere?” “How should Christians understand their identity?” “What kind of people should Christians be in public?” and primarily, “What difference do my beliefs make for the world around me?” He writes that passages like Genesis 1:26 and 1:28 show that Christians have a responsibility to cultivate creation and to lead it to flourishing, and that every area of our lives — including the public domain — is for glorifying God through our participation and transformative presence. When we enter the public sphere, our biblical identity, built from labels like “Image of God” and “Follower of Jesus,” should remind us that we belong to God and that loyalty to country should not be confused with our primary allegiance to Him (52). Bacote explains that public engagement should be shaped by holiness and love for others, as this will nurture greater change than a passion for political positions. His final primary point is that we should persevere in humble service to the flourishing of society, as we must obey our first commandment even when our efforts are frustrated by humanity’s fallen nature. At some point, every Christian has wondered how their faith should be shared publicly, if at all. Bacote’s The Political Disciple presents well-researched positions addressing the most important concerns Christians are struggling with regarding their responsibility to the societies in which they live. Not only is this work an invaluable resource for those struggling with these questions, but all Christians should take advantage of his research to learn why and how our faith should be communicated to the world. Bacote shows that we have good reason to believe that our beliefs are for public expression, and their expression should be shaped by our biblical identity, holiness, and selflessness.
Bacote, Vincent, The Political Disciple: A Theology of Public Life, Zondervan, 2015. 96 pages.
68
