The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life

Michael Wear offers a new paradigm of political involvement rooted in the teachings of Jesus and drawing insights from Dallas Willard's approach to spiritual formation. He argues that by focusing on having the right politics, we lose sight of the kind of people we are becoming, to destructive results. The book reveals why we need to reframe how we view our political involvement as Christians, how to reorient our politics for the good of others, and the crucial connection between discipleship to Jesus and political involvement. It also offers a different way of talking about politics that is edifying, not stomach-turning, and how to navigate political strife in churches and small groups.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2024
Publisher: Zondervan

For those who are disheartened and weary of the bitterness and rage permeating our political landscape, Michael Wear presents a fresh perspective on political engagement, drawing inspiration from the teachings of Jesus and the approach to spiritual formation outlined by Dallas Willard. In the face of political division that extends beyond the campaign trail and into our daily lives, we ponder: Can we be part of a more positive and constructive way forward?

The Spirit of Our Politics offers a resounding answer, presenting a distinctly Christian approach to politics that leads to healing, kindness, and hope rather than division, hatred, and despair. In this profound and uplifting book, Michael Wear, a renowned thinker and practitioner at the intersection of faith and politics, applies insights from Dallas Willard's work to argue that by prioritizing the right politics, we inadvertently neglect the essential aspect of our character development, leading to detrimental outcomes. This paradigm-shifting work unveils:

The need to reexamine our perspective on Christian political involvement and how we can reorient our political endeavors for the benefit of others.

The crucial connection between discipleship to Jesus and political engagement.

A different way of discussing politics that is edifying and uplifting, rather than causing discomfort or nausea.

Strategies for navigating political strife within churches and small groups.

The realization that our political life is not separate from our authentic selves and that gentleness is entirely possible in our political discourse.

The Spirit of Our Politics is a valuable resource for readers from all political perspectives who yearn for a new way to think about and engage in politics. It begins with a simple yet profound question: What kind of person would I like to be? By embracing this approach, we can cultivate a political landscape that reflects the values of compassion, empathy, and unity, paving the way for a more harmonious and prosperous society.

Weight: 212g
Dimension: 139 x 213 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780310367192