Lid lifted on God's political agenda -Jun 19, 2003

God has a political agenda - and it’s a subversive one. This is the message of a new book written by Ekklesia’s director, Jonathan Bartley.

Published by the Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF) “The Subversive Manifesto” is a call on Christians to rediscover the political dimension of their faith, and a challenge that Christianity should be more about subverting the social order than defending it.

Subtitled; “Lifting the lid on God’s political agenda” the book draws on the author’s own experiences in Parliament, as part of the Rt Hon John Major’s campaign team in the 1995 Conservative party leadership election, and work for several Christian campaigning organisations.

In so doing, the political approaches of Christians working both inside and outside the corridors of power are questioned. The author also challenges the way that current debates within the church have taken place, in particular the ‘tribalism’ that divides Christians into factions over issues such as homosexuality.

Tackling subjects such as sexual ethics, family policy, disestablishment, war and the arms trade, the book argues that Christians must reject the quest for power and influence that so often characterises their political involvement.

The author calls on the church, instead, to embrace a new politics based upon the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The book concludes by calling for the church to return to her roots as a subversive political movement that accepts Jesus’ radical call to embrace the values of the Kingdom of God

Speaking about “The Subversive Manifesto”, Steve Chalke, founder of Oasis Media and Faithworks said; “The early church recognised that their mission was political as much as it was spiritual. The challenge to us is whether we are prepared to make the same bold and subversive statement that they made.”

Review copies of “The Subversive Manifesto - Lifting the lid on God’s political agenda” can be obtained from The Bible Reading Fellowship. www.brf.org.uk tel: 01865 319700

Copies can be ordered online from amazon by clicking here

or from the Bible Reading Fellowship by clicking here