Greatest Failure: Christian Passivity

Dr. Wayne Grudem is a theologian and prolific writer perhaps best known for his book Systematic Theology and his work on Christian ethics. But he also wrote Politics According to the Bible, a more than 600-page comprehensive resource on the application of faith in public life. I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Grudem about Christian citizenship and the future of the American republic in 2022 before he retired from his public speaking ministry, and recent events brought this interview back to mind. I have noticed a scarcity of Biblical resources for discipleship in the area of citizenship, and this book and discussion are an important and comprehensive guide to the political arena according to a Biblical worldview.

Dr. Wayne Grudem is Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies at Phoenix Seminary in Arizona. He is a graduate of Harvard (BA), Westminster Seminary-Philadelphia (MDiv, DD), and the University of Cambridge (PhD). He has served as the president of the Evangelical Theological Society (1999). He has written more than 20 books, including Systematic Theology, The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today, Business for the Glory of God, Politics According to the Bible, and (with Barry Asmus) The Poverty of Nations: A Sustainable Solution. He also co-edited (with John Piper) Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Dr. Grudem wrote Politics According to the Bible and the importance of preaching the whole counsel of God.
• Why the “Do evangelism, not politics” approach and the “Do politics, not evangelism” approach both fall short of the Biblical vision for citizenship.
• Why Christians should seek to have significant influence on government.
• His thoughts on the greatest success of Christian political engagement over the last 40 years.
• His response to this question: “What purpose do you think God has for the United States in this century?”
• A remarkable list of reasons why American Christians should work to renew and steward the American republic in this century.
• How he has written a remarkable body of work in his life and continues to do so.
• His encouragement to the American church in quickly changing times.