God and the Constitution: Christianity and American Politics
Paul Marshall (Rowman & Littlefield; 2002) $27.95

Released a decade ago, this book had its genesis in an even earlier book, Thine Is the Kingdom, released in England a decade earlier to great reviews. It is, perhaps, the single best introductory book offering a profound explication of a Biblical view of the state, a faithful vision of citizenship, and a non-partisan, Christian view of modern government. Marshall is renowned as a global human rights activist (his newest book is about Islamic religious intolerance is called Silenced: How Apostasy & Blasphemy Codes are Choking Freedom Worldwide, October 2011) and has specialized in how to build pluralistic democracies that create room for all faiths and are characterized by public justice.

With the Occupy Wall Street movement a topic of widespread media coverage and daily conversation, it is helpful to step back from the hot button issues and loud cries for reform to consider what our best faith traditions suggest about the role of the state. What is government tasked to do?  How might the unfolding drama of the Biblical narrative shape how we understand the calling and limits of statecraft?  What are the different sorts of justice that governments should rightly purse? What social problems are not best solved by government intervention? Marshall, significantly, is not a partisan ideologue nor is he a boring middle-of-the-roader. He calls for radical faith, by which he means that our perspectives should be rooted (the Latin word from which we get the word radical) in a Biblical worldview. Which is to say, neither stream of Western legal thought—conservative nor liberal ideologies—are adequate for a fully radical Christian view.

Marshall lays out the meaning and purpose of government, the process of how American politics works, and what we should hope for regarding a change in contemporary political discourse.  His overview is well written and very helpful as we consider, for instance, the relationship of the government and the market, the calls for action by the WSO and the calls for smaller government by the Tea Party. Marshall helps us see the valid concerns of both “camps” and yet helps us get beyond the typical, partisan and often inadequate rhetoric. As James Skillen, former Director of the Center for Public Justice has said about it, God and the Constitution is “informed, astute, critical, wise, and open about his own beliefs all at the same time.”

This book really does offer an excellent primer on what the Bible says about the task of the state, how the American Founders created legal space for an outworking of involved, principled citizenship, and how 21st century Christians should understand contemporary politics. It reminds us of God’s desire for political order, and the great adventure of radical Christian citizenship. I often tell people if they are going to buy one serious book reflecting on a faith-based view of politics, this expanded version of Marshall’s old classic is the one with which to start. Very, very good.

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Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit
Parker J. Palmer (Jossey-Bass; 2011) $24.95

If the older Paul Marshall book is a classic of thoughtful, readable, overtly Biblical and rigorous evangelical thought about the task of the state then this brand new book is a moving and spiritually nuanced call to gentle and generous enactment of the tasks of citizenship. Palmer is a renowned Quaker and profound writer. His efforts integrate the mysteries of our inner and outer lives and he has written widely about how a gracious understanding of God’s love can lead to a robust social vision of a just social order. Indeed, in this new book, he invites us to call on our deepest inner resources to take a stand for civility and grace in the public square. What should democracy look like?  How can all citizens be involved, making sure that those with the least power and privilege are honored?  Can we divert the hostilities of media pundits, energizing a more worthy sort of political discourse? Can we imagine a civic experience that is dignified and passionate, principled and yet flexible? Can we share our fears and anxieties about public life in local venues where new energy might emerge that has significant political implications?

Palmer has a history with social change organizations—from the historic civil rights movements onward—but is less a pragmatic political activist as he is a contemplative who hopes to encourage hope and invite generative actions that bringing healing to the very core of our own hearts and the hearts of our citizenship organizations, and the government itself. As social philanthropist Bill Shore (founder of Share Our Strengths) has said, Healing the Heart of Democracy is “the most important manifesto in generations for breaking through the divisiveness that has paralyzed our democracy.”  Lovely, inspiring, hopeful.

You can order both of these books at Hearts and Minds Books. Mention Q Ideas when you order and receive 20% off.

1. What informs your views on the role of the State?
2. As a follower of Jesus, what do you think the role of the State ought to be as opposed to what the state actually does?
   

Editor's Note: The image above is from Locace.

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