On God’s Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn’t Learned about Serving the Common Good
Overview
Abraham Lincoln once said, “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side.” Lincoln led the United States through one of the most tumultuous times in our nation’s history. Reading his words today, it is clear we still have much to learn concerning what it means to be on God’s side. Bestselling author, public theologian, and leading Christian activist Jim Wallis speaks directly into our current context, revealing the spiritual compass we need to effect lasting change in our society. He explains how the good news of Jesus transforms not only our individual lives but also our public lives. This book seeks to move beyond the current media and political warfare and bring together a divided country. Wallis explores how Jesus’ agenda can serve the common good, what it takes to sustain a lifelong commitment to social justice, and how reading the Bible as well as the culture can shape our lives for genuine transformation.
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Praise for the Print Edition
I love the work and books and existence of Jim Wallis. His is a profound and always-entertaining voice of reason, reconciliation, and passion for social justice and peace. Each of his books makes me wish I could get it into the hands of more politicians, right-wing Christians, left-wing Christians, secular humanists, economists, and regular people—everyone—so we could see how much we have in common and how much is at stake. Jim Wallis and I do not share many of the same political views, but we share the same heart and soul and love for God and all of God’s children. Plus, he’s a marvelous storyteller.
—Anne Lamott, author
I have read all of Jim Wallis’s books, books that call evangelicals to full conversion and an ecclesial faith that works. On God’s Side is Jim’s best book; it is personal, pastoral, and prophetic—a summons to a deeper conversion, to bridge-building commitments to the common good, and to a family life that grounds active faith in a common, caring community.
—Scot McKnight, professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary
This is the finest of all Jim Wallis’s writings. It reminded me that my actions as a citizen are a natural extension of my life as a Christian. Jim’s comprehension of how Scripture and political issues relate to each other is surpassed only by the number of bridges he builds so that we can all solve problems together. Reading this book will help you be more like Jesus, especially in the public square.
—Joel C. Hunter, senior pastor, Northland–A Church Distributed
Product Details
- Title: On God’s Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn’t Learned about Serving the Common Good
- Author: Jim Wallis
- Publisher: Brazos
- Publication Date: 2013
- Pages: 320
About the Author
Jim Wallis is president and CEO of Sojourners and editor of Sojourners magazine. He is a bestselling author, public theologian, national preacher, social activist, and international commentator on ethics and public life. Wallis has written 10 books, including bestsellers God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It and The Great Awakening, and is a frequent speaker in the United States and abroad. He has written for major newspapers and appears frequently on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and NPR. Wallis also teaches at Georgetown University and has taught at Harvard University.