God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It

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God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It

3.62 of 5 stars 3.62 · rating details · 2,194 ratings · 234 reviews

New York Times bestseller God's Politics struck a chord with Americans disenchanted with how the Right had co-opted all talk about integrating religious values into our politics, and with the Left, who were mute on the subject. Jim Wallis argues that America's separation of church and state does not require banishing moral and religious values from the public square. God's...more

Paperback, 432 pages

Published August 29th 2006 by HarperOne (first published 2005)

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Aug 02, 2007 Katey rated it 1 of 5 stars

Will the real progressive religious left please stand up? I cannot consider Jim Wallis a true religious progressive when he won't stand up for women's rights and lgbtq people. He wants to say that abortion and gay marriage are "moral issues" and that responding to poverty is the "real" heart of the gospel. What he fails to recognize is that abortion is an economic justice issue. Poor women are 3 times as likely to have an abortion, and because of the Hyde amendment and lack of federal funding, t...more

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Dec 04, 2007 Stephanie "Jedigal" rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Christian ministers

Not a Christian myself, I was nevertheless attracted by the title. Having long been fed up by my perception over the years of the increased failure by politicians to make moral decisions when legislating, my "to be read" shelves are becoming populated with political commentary. This is one of the first I chose to read.

The main thrust of the book is that
-- Christ advocated the use of government to address social issues, such as poverty;
-- the Religious Right has allied itself with the party le...more Not a Christian myself, I was nevertheless attracted by the title. Having long been fed up by my perception over the years of the increased failure by politicians to make moral decisions when legislating, my "to be read" shelves are becoming populated with political commentary. This is one of the first I chose to read.

The main thrust of the book is that
-- Christ advocated the use of government to address social issues, such as poverty;
-- the Religious Right has allied itself with the party least likely to offer serious relief of either the symptoms or causes of poverty;
-- both Democrats and Republicans are coalitions of certain groups, and neither party exhibits a consistent moral philosophy;
-- Christian ministers should discuss and promote political actions consistent with Jesus' ministry, as they have been a primary source for change in the past (witness the civil rights movement, and other church-based activity in our history).

Unfortunately, there was little to offer a non-Christian. The author acknowledges that Christians do not have a monopoly on morality, however the basis of each of his arguments is in Christian scripture, and he fails to discuss any other moral or spiritual justifications for those arguments. My biggest problem with the book is that it offers no solutions the average citizen can take to bring God or morality into politics. This lengthy sermon seems aimed at other Christian ministers. Even for them, it is weak on concrete action points.

Additional failures are:
1) The author does come off as too prideful. This book is a great testament to all he has done to further his causes.

2) Much of the power of what the author offers is diluted by the repetition throughout. Wallis states and restates many points time and time again. This book could have been much more concise and to the point (something that could be said about much of my own writing... hehe), maybe 1/3 or 1/4 the length.

3) He makes some seriously startling accusations about the balance of political power in this country. I think many of his accusations are plausible, but he fails to provide good evidence for them. He then proceeds directly to what is wrong with the behavior of those he has mentally tried and found guilty, and what the moral choice would have been. (less)

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Jan 03, 2008 Gilee rated it 1 of 5 stars Recommends it for: gluttons for punishment

Recommended to Gilee by: Josh Reid

This was one of the great disappointments of my late 20's. This book.
The beginning was intriguing...what? you mean to tell me that there's others out there like me? who believe that Jesus was a radical and we Christians should be helping the poor? and that these fringe issues the Religious Right gets into are really vehicles to control the masses and rarely actually advocate for Biblically-based directives? that, in fact, if you get down to the main platforms of Christianity, no one in our poli...more

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Dec 27, 2007 Corrielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

While I am very glad that I read this book, God’s Politics isn’t perfect by any means. It is sometimes repetitive, and I think that there are areas in which Mr. Wallis glosses over incredibly complicated and thorny issues with too much ease for my liking. However, it did what I needed it to. I think I was already in a place where I was ready to hear a lot of what the author had to say, though.

First of all, this book suggests that people of faith should in no way feel obligated to give their unco...more While I am very glad that I read this book, God’s Politics isn’t perfect by any means. It is sometimes repetitive, and I think that there are areas in which Mr. Wallis glosses over incredibly complicated and thorny issues with too much ease for my liking. However, it did what I needed it to. I think I was already in a place where I was ready to hear a lot of what the author had to say, though.

First of all, this book suggests that people of faith should in no way feel obligated to give their unconditional support to either of the major political parties. That makes sense, especially since the number of independent voters is rising across the country. I think that many people are realizing that neither party really encompasses the whole of their political concerns, and I think that realization is important for Christians as well. The author instead proposes that religious people need to hold both Republicans and Democrats up to a higher moral standard and work and speak up for change where either of them falls short.

Second, this book suggests that a re-ordering of priorities is in order. It suggests that “social justice” is not just a secular issue, but a spiritual one as well. Mr. Wallis speaks again and again of the necessity for reforms that will raise the standard of living for those most in need in both the United States and the rest of the world, and he supports his arguments with an almost overwhelming list of Biblical references that speak of God and Christ’s concern for the poor. This may seem trite, and I may seem like I’m coming a little late to the game, but the idea that a church’s benevolence mission should involve both providing food and basic necessities for those who truly need it AND working to change conditions so that the need is less seemed to make a lot of sense to me.

This book certainly gave me a lot to think about. My teaching experiences and the fact that I’ve been paying more attention to the news in recent months had both had me thinking a lot about the state of the world, and I fluctuate back and forth between optimism and feeling too small to make a difference, which I suppose is normal. Another thing that God’s Politics did for me is give me an idea of positive things that are happening because people are working for change. It also made me remember and be grateful for some of the positive things I know are going on. I suppose the old, “Do all you can, and let God take care of the rest” is applicable in this situation. I didn’t used to like that sentiment... I thought it passed responsibility, but now I tend to see it as, “Work as hard as you can, and trust that your efforts are serving a higher purpose, even if you can’t see it.” I needed that perspective shift.(less)

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Jun 19, 2007 Bernie added it

Shelves: leadershippolitics

Focused on the 2004 presidential election, God’s Politics is a sweeping commentary on the two-party American political system. Jim Wallis believes that American leaders have a vision problem: a basic lack of vision. Therefore, Wallis recommends adopting a vision of justice borrowed from the pages of the Old Testament prophets. He believes, as I do, that our political system spends too much time, energy, and money on partisan bickering, acknowledging that every important social movement in Americ...more Focused on the 2004 presidential election, God’s Politics is a sweeping commentary on the two-party American political system. Jim Wallis believes that American leaders have a vision problem: a basic lack of vision. Therefore, Wallis recommends adopting a vision of justice borrowed from the pages of the Old Testament prophets. He believes, as I do, that our political system spends too much time, energy, and money on partisan bickering, acknowledging that every important social movement in American history (abolition, suffrage, civil rights) has started with a cause and vision capable of unifying diverse community and political leaders. Moreover, these movements were led by godly men and women who sought to live out the biblical mandate for justice in all areas of life. Wallis calls for “a new vision for the common good that could inspire us all to live lives of service and to a whole new set of public…priorities” (pg. 28).
In answering the question of how our faith should influence our political activities, Wallis writes that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans, the left or the right, have embraced a holistic vision for domestic or international justice and morality. While often focusing justly on social issues, too many Democrats have espoused a faith that is separate from their private lives and shy away from using moral or spiritual terminology. On the other side of the aisle, Republicans have often attempted to co-opt religious issues for political gain. This was particularly evident in George W. Bush’s campaigns, during which the religious right was heavily courted through appeals to a very narrow spectrum of morality issues (abortion and gay rights). Christians on the Right have many healthy things to say about personal morality, but their social decisions show a lack of commitment to the common good in terms of economics and international diplomacy. Wallis calls for a new option that would combine the more conservative moral values of the Right with the social concerns of the Left. (I would like to see this as well.)
Recently, I have been thinking about the continued disenfranchisement of America’s poor, so I am particularly interested in Wallis’ discussion of poverty and the “Burger King Mom” (pg.. 221), who is working hard and still struggling to pay rent each month. I must admit that I had never considered the context of Mark 14.7 in the way he describes it – the disciples have the poor precisely because they are followers of Christ. Concern for the poor must be a plank (or several planks) in the platform of each Christian politician, for true religion is to help the needy and powerless (James 1.27). Wallis challenges both conservatives and liberals to stop placing blame, start developing creative solutions, and take leadership responsibility for the poverty-perpetuating policies they create. Similar to Paul Marshall in Thine Is the Kingdom, Wallis calls on large corporations to move away from simple profit toward the idea of common good and highlights the connection between racial prejudice and poverty. I agree that our country has a very long way to go toward economic righteousness and that we have a great deal to learn from the legacy of leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. about how we can unite our diverse politic under a common banner of integrity and justice.
While I found God’s Politics to be a bit self-indulgent at times, I basically resonated with much of Wallis’ critique of the American political system. Many of my peers share my sense of disillusionment with our current two-party system, which seems to so often present a choice between the lesser of two evils instead of a choice for the common good. I am a bit uncomfortable with the way in which Wallis sometimes places the ideals of democracy side-by-side with God’s mandates, but I do believe that we have a useful system by which we can affect a great deal of positive change through a vision of holistic justice.(less)

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Jan 18, 2013 David Sarkies rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: politics

I first heard about this book when I was sitting in the lounge very late one night with one of my lady friends and watching late night television (the sort that you don't actually watch, but rather have on in the background while you talk about absolutely nothing in particular, and are drinking some form of alcoholic beverage). Anyway, this friend of mine was particularly anti-christian (with the exception of me, because she thought that I actually gave Christianity a good name, or at least unt...more I first heard about this book when I was sitting in the lounge very late one night with one of my lady friends and watching late night television (the sort that you don't actually watch, but rather have on in the background while you talk about absolutely nothing in particular, and are drinking some form of alcoholic beverage). Anyway, this friend of mine was particularly anti-christian (with the exception of me, because she thought that I actually gave Christianity a good name, or at least until we have a falling out, and then I became like all the other Christians out there) and as we listened to Jim Wallis advertise his book, she simply thought that he was simply reciting tired old dogma, where as to me he was beginning to take a new position on Christianity.
Anyway, when I did read the book what struck me the most was not so much about which political party is the most Christian, or which party Christians should vote for, but how God's politics is actually above and separated from the politics of both parties. As the subtitle of his book says, 'why the Republicans got it wrong, and why the Democrats don't get it'. This is what I think is essential when we understand how we as Christians should interact with the political world, and that is to understand that God is not Republican or Democrat, nor is he Labour or Liberal, but he is God and his politics are not that which concern either side, but rather what concern him and how we are living our lives as representatives of his church.
It is a shame that in many cases we have Christians drifting towards either party, and playing the political game of brinkmanship, and even using politics as a way to put down and harass their brother's in Christ. We must remember that when the Emperor Theodosius attempted to muscle his way into the communion during the later Roman Empire that the priest pretty much drew a line and made it clear that the political sphere was not to trespass into the spiritual realm, meaning that politicians were not to use the church or Christianity to forward their own political ambitions.
Mind you I don't necessarily agree with everything that Wallis says, particularly with his position on homosexuality. Now, that does not mean that we should be locking homosexuals up, or even persecuting them, but also we should not be compromising ourselves in relation to rewriting the bible in relation to that practice. While it is not my position to judge homosexuals (that is God's position and I am not God) if a church has made a stance where they will not allow homosexual priests, or refuse to participate in homosexual marriages, then we should not force them otherwise. It is the same with regards to homosexual members of the congregation that are going out of their way to promote their agenda within a particular church. In a way, if somebody can get sacked for actively and aggressively promoting their religion in the workplace, then the same goes for homosexuals in a church that is determined to maintain their heterosexual identity.
The other hot potato involves abortion, and while I am a big supporter of the rights of the unborn, I am also a big supporter of the rights of women. This is an issue that I have canvased before, and I feel that I should canvas this again in relation to this book, and that is that in a promiscuous society, the victim always turns out to be the woman. It is not that abortion is being used as a form of contraception, it is because the system is preventing other forms of contraception from being available and thus exposing women to that risk. The idea is that if we ban contraception, then people will not have sex. Well, that is not true, and in fact we find that in many African countries where aids is spreading out of control, the simple solution of allowing contraception to be available is being denied on the grounds that it only encourages sex.
Look, teenagers will have sex, and even if you spend countless hours telling them why they shouldn't have sex, they will still go and have sex. In fact, by telling people that they shouldn't have sex because it is a beautiful thing that is left only until marriage, it will only encourage them more and more. In fact it also goes to create marriages that are not based upon the biblical concept of marriage, which is the sharing of a life with both parties work together for the common good of humanity, but rather it is simply an excuse to have sex, and a lot of it (which is not a bad thing). However the actual basis of the marriage does not exist and is not stable, and this leads to adulterous affairs and even divorce.
Then there is the aspect of the single mother, who is victimised in more way than one. First of all, without the supportive husband, the woman and the child are both thrust into poverty, and once there it is impossible (or very difficult) to get out of. Okay, that is not necessarily grounds for divorce, but once again the woman (and the child) are punished while the male gets away scott free. This can be solved by making contraception more readily available, but then with the slogan, if it is not on, then it is not on. Remember this though, just because abortion is banned, an unwanted pregnancy is not going to magically become a wanted pregnancy.(less)

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Feb 16, 2009 Lainie rated it 5 of 5 stars

I wish I'd read this book years ago. It says so well some of the things that have bounced around my brain for years.

Let me start with a little background on the reader (me) because of course I can only see the book through my own particular lenses. I grew up in a very politically conservative and fairly religiously conservative Christian home. By college (if not before) I knew I didn't quite agree with all I'd been taught. I was very involved with a Southern Baptist group on campus, but also tal...more I wish I'd read this book years ago. It says so well some of the things that have bounced around my brain for years.

Let me start with a little background on the reader (me) because of course I can only see the book through my own particular lenses. I grew up in a very politically conservative and fairly religiously conservative Christian home. By college (if not before) I knew I didn't quite agree with all I'd been taught. I was very involved with a Southern Baptist group on campus, but also talked secretly with a few friends about what we didn't like about the typical ideas of our fellow believers. We laughingly called ourselves "heretics" but didn't let anyone else know how we felt. We still felt strongly attracted to the message of Jesus, but not to the way it was used and abused to promote narrow viewpoints and unloving judgmental attitudes. We also were put off by some very unscientific literalist interpretations of scriptures. But most of all (at least in my case) we did not feel so dedicated to the right-wing politics of our families. It just didn't jibe with the words of Christ. Still, we didn't know what to do. We didn't feel we could just jump ship. We were still Christians and we'd grown up in our conservative churches--should we just leave or should we find more open-minded but still related churches or should we try to foster revolution from within. I think we've all tried different routes. Personally I have chosen to slowly move into a mainline church that matches my own belief system more closely so that I feel more at home and not like a secret heretic.

Now I'm wondering what's the point of all that...oh yeah, the book. Reading this book was like an affirmation of how we were feeling in college (and afterward). God is neither right nor left and neither side can really claim to be God's politics. The right side often exploits the God card and the left is generally just uncomfortable with religion, even though they have much to offer believers. Many believers agree with typically liberal ideas--helping the poor, conserving the environment, promoting peace, granting equal rights, etc. but of course the more strident right-wing religious side gets all the press.

This book is definitely a keeper and one I'll read again and again. I'm tempted to send it to family members but I doubt they'd even crack it open.(less)

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Feb 09, 2009 Jon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wallis makes a fantastic argument, though the book could be a bit more concise. I agree with his basic premise, that God isn't interested in selective morality, in choosing left or right in politics, that He's interested instead in all moral choices, from war and poverty to sexuality and abortion.

His stance is fresh and appealing, but I have just one complaint. He too frequently lampoons Republicans for being greedy money grubbers. Again, I agree with his words on how much God is concerned with...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Aurora65 rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Aurora65 by: My pastor

To understand the book, you have to understand his audience. If you are already a left-leaning liberal anything, you are not really the target. So please don't pan the book.

If you are an evangelical Christian, trying to understand the place of politics in your faith, then this book will challenge you into the type of action the Bible intended.

It takes a while, but in the end Wallis puts an emphasis on moving Christians to act for global justice and stewardship. For some Christians this is a ne...more

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May 25, 2012 Bart Breen rated it 4 of 5 stars

A must read Book for people of Conscience and Intelligence

Wallis brings an important and much needed message to the religious and political arena. Most of what he has to say is articulate, well thought out and presents the important message that Christians must beware of the dangers of "Group-Think."

My primary criticism and the reason I give the book 4 stars rather than what would have otherwise surely been a 5, is that the title is somewhat misleading. Reading this book I was under the impressi...more A must read Book for people of Conscience and Intelligence

Wallis brings an important and much needed message to the religious and political arena. Most of what he has to say is articulate, well thought out and presents the important message that Christians must beware of the dangers of "Group-Think."

My primary criticism and the reason I give the book 4 stars rather than what would have otherwise surely been a 5, is that the title is somewhat misleading. Reading this book I was under the impression that it would seek to point out issues on both the Democrats and Republicans and indeed there are places where that seems to happen.

Far more, however, this is aimed primarily at the "Right-Wing Conservative" faction of the Republican party who have embraced religious values. What little criticism the Democrats receive is more along the line of "They don't communicate their message, well." The title would lead you to believe there is criticism all the the way around. It just isn't so. -1 Star for misleading this reader in that regard.

Granted, the Republicans are the party of power and as such are worthy of more scrutiny. Even factoring this in, I don't believe an objective reader could look at this and conclude it is a balanced and equally critical look at both parties.

That having been said it is still an important and riveting book.

Wallis is nothing if not passionate and his lifestyle and actions as reported by him, are in line with what he is saying which I respected immensely and chose to accept at face value. Of particular note, and resonating with this reader were these important points:

1. No reading of the Bible can miss the prevelent theme of how Christians respond to the poor as a primary tenet of Christians and their role in society.

2. Any Christian response to terrorism that is based on fear and focuses on external threats without addressing the legitimate needs of the poor, misses several primary teachings of Christianity and may, in fact, be planting the seeds of our own internal demise by what the response will be from those so neglected.

3. There is no one party that espouses all legitimate values of the thinking Christian, therefore, decisions must be made based on a preponderance of issues and not just a few packaged for public consumption.

4. Christians must come forward into the political process and bring with them their Faith-based values. Society needs them. Our faith demands it. To do otherwise is to leave the field to packaged populism which unfortunately, far too often allows itself to be drawn into the mold that the major parties prepare and the media conveys.

Very much worth the read. Just be aware that the bias of the author is not particularly veiled and certainly not hard to see.(less)

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Aug 10, 2010 Amanda Mastran rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction

I truly enjoyed this book when I read it. Although I agree with other reviewer's that Wallis has a tendency to oversimplify complex social and political issues, I also feel that politicians and media like to over-complicate those some issues, so perhaps some simplification is in order.

What stuck with me most from this book were Wallis' many examples of how a shared vision could create common ground for Dems and Reps to truly work together to create workable solutions to real problems, even on so...more

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Apr 16, 2010 Terri L rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-books

Most people say they want to vote their values. The problem is that few of us can vote all our values. The Religious Right claims to be the values people emphasizing sexual morality, anti-abortion (not really pro-life considering their positions on gun control, war, deadly toxins in the environment, etc), public expressions of state sponsored faith. Meanwhile the "secular" left has taken control of concern for the poor, health care, environmental issues, social justice, etc.

The problem is that...more Most people say they want to vote their values. The problem is that few of us can vote all our values. The Religious Right claims to be the values people emphasizing sexual morality, anti-abortion (not really pro-life considering their positions on gun control, war, deadly toxins in the environment, etc), public expressions of state sponsored faith. Meanwhile the "secular" left has taken control of concern for the poor, health care, environmental issues, social justice, etc.

The problem is that many, if not most, of the population do not fall into such neat categories. One can be opposed to abortion and believe global warming presents a catastrophic economic and physical threat to people. One can believe that some have gotten overly picky about the wall of separation but still believe that poverty is a moral issue.

In Wallis' book, the founder of Sojourners takes both the Religious Right and the Secular Left to the woodshed. He points out that most of the great progressive movements in American society from Abolition to Civil Rights were founded on strong moral and even Biblical principles. When the left abandons or is fearful of letting their personal faith inform their public policy, they leave out the moral force that propelled the likes of William Jennings Bryant, Martin Luther King, Fredrick Douglas and countless others.

However, the Religious Right is not off the hook. By ignoring social justice issues such as poverty, racism, bigotry, they under cut their own moral standing. Saying one is pro-life, but opposing programs which provide health care or basic necessities to the poor is not only hypocritical, but unBiblical.

Wallis proposes a politic that goes beyond the simplistic democrat/republican and conservative/liberal dichtomies. He proposes reaching across such divides to accomplish common goals. Take for instance abortion. While both sides have their knee jerk responses, nobody believes abortion to be essentially good. So, instead of fighting over it's legality, they can work together to provide birth control information, prenatal care, child care for working parents and reforming the adoption system. These are activities that discourage and reduce the number of abortions, while society grapples with the issues regarding it's legality.

I personally like the way Wallis takes on both sides. Although, one could definitely see Wallis as a 'progressive' in most political issues, he actually spends more time in this book chastising the left for their departure from matters of faith informing their politics.

You might not agree with it. I doubt anyone could agree with all, but it is certainly a worthwhile read and a different perspective on faith and politics than you will find on the news channels.(less)

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Jan 09, 2010 Robin rated it 4 of 5 stars

I had had my eye on this book since it came out, but finally read it in my ethics class in 2008. Like Traveling Mercies, this book was a revelation.

For many years, I knew that I had certain gut feelings and instincts about how God works, but wasn't really sure on the biblical support for those feelings. Things like erring on the side of love, not hating people, supporting the poor, being anti-war. It feels stupid now to write those things, and I'm not expressing exactly what my inclinations were...more

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May 27, 2012 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: People who are serious about applying Scripture to their lives

Recommended to Amanda by: Jack Cole

For content, this book would have gotten five stars, but it loses a star for its writing quality. This book is so very repetitive that it becomes an annoyance. The author has a few favorite phrases he likes to use over and over again (such as describing Martin Luther King, Jr. with "a Bible in one hand and the Constitution in the other"), as well as statistics he likes to constantly remind the reader about (such as thirteen million homeless children in this country). These statements, while init...more For content, this book would have gotten five stars, but it loses a star for its writing quality. This book is so very repetitive that it becomes an annoyance. The author has a few favorite phrases he likes to use over and over again (such as describing Martin Luther King, Jr. with "a Bible in one hand and the Constitution in the other"), as well as statistics he likes to constantly remind the reader about (such as thirteen million homeless children in this country). These statements, while initially impressive, lose their impact after being used over and over again. Additionally, he has a habit of repeating almost whole paragraphs from chapter to chapter. This becomes a distraction as well as a source of frustration, and at times detracts from the message.

As for its content, this book is a welcome voice for moderate independents in the political arena. Christians who feel strongly about moral consistency in politics often do not have a party to relate to, since both the Republican and Democrat parties are fraught with glaring inconsistencies. For example, a Christian who is committed to non-violence and believes that all lives are sacred in the eyes of God (Job 31:15) takes a firm stance against both abortion and capital punishment. Such a Christian is not welcome in either party, as Democrats are pro-abortion (under the guise of women's rights) and Republicans are pro-death penalty (under the eyes of doing justice and/or protecting the innocent). The answer to some of the most difficult and painful questions in our culture appears to be death -- death by human hands. But what if there is another way? Jim Wallis suggests some real solutions and compelling arguments for adoption reform, support of single mothers, and criminal justice that would lower and potentially eliminate the need to do violence against other human beings.

Mr. Wallis also addresses issues such as war (particularly pre-emptive war), lowering the poverty rate worldwide, improving educational opportunities across all economic classes, and fairness to homosexual couples. All of these social issues go much, much deeper than a simple "yes" or "no" on either side and require real and continuing action. In the epilogue, Mr. Wallis addresses the need for emerging leadership, and declares, "We are the ones we've been waiting for."

If you are a Christian independent voter in this country seeking for a strong voice to put real words to your concerns, this is the book you've been waiting for.(less)

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Nov 29, 2008 Shaun rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Shaun by: Jennifer Williams

Shelves: christian

This book presents a great array of topics centered around American politics from foreign policy to historical topics such as slavery. Foreign policy includes a discussion of Israel and acknowledging that they are not a perfect country, just like we are not a perfect country. Jim Wallis is very experienced in the political world and makes his best effort to be pro-God rather than pro-Right or pro-left. The research in the book is well laid out. Rather than just present differences he has with pa...more

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Jul 25, 2010 Johnny Brooks rated it 2 of 5 stars

I appreciate Jim Wallis and what he is doing in American politics. I'm not necessarily a big fan of giving religion a bigger voice in the political scene, but I do think we need more voices of faith. I hope Wallis is motivated by his faith and not just his religion.

I liked what he had to say in the book about poverty. Good stuff that we all need to be thinking about and acting on.

I found the book to be somewhat repetitive and full of press statements, group statements, charters, and other such...more

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Feb 05, 2009 Bookmarks Magazine added it · review of another edition

God's Politics has struck a chord with contemporary Americans who, according to bestseller lists, are buying Wallis's book in droves. Regardless of how critics feel about the author's religious beliefs (evangelical Christian) and political leanings (traditional on family values; progressive on issues like poverty and social justice), they are hard-pressed to argue with his central tenets: God belongs to no single political party and true faith transcends political categorization. Wallis writes t

...more

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Nov 12, 2012 Estelle Richardson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: christianity, politics

In a politically informed, irenic yet serious tone, Wallis urges American Christians to question the monopoly that the Republican Party has held on evangelicals' voting patterns for the last 30 years. With the rise of the powerful "Moral Majority" and the election of Reagan and the Bushes, evangelical voting has become virtually synonymous with support for the political Right. Wallis argues that political conservatives do not in fact have an entirely moral platform: that they encourage favoring...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Jason Lilly rated it 2 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Republicans (I'm only kidding)

Shelves: christian, politics, history, nonfiction

I really like Jim Wallis, believe that he has a good heart, and truly wants to end poverty all over the world. His blog and magazine are also excellent reads. Regardless, this book was a bit too preachy in parts for my taste, but I did learn quite a bit about some of the most pressing "political" issues. There was also too much about George W. Bush and how many poor choices he and the Republican party made during his presidency. Not what I expected. I am going to read The Great Awakening: Revivi ...more

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Nov 19, 2011 Mike Edwards rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: current-events, religion, usa

Wallis reexamines the culture wars through the eyes of someone who believes that The Bible teaches that we, as a society (and not just as individuals), have a mandate to take care of the poor and needy among us. While Wallis is certainly critical of those on the left who would dismiss religion or religious thought, he reserves his strongest judgments for conservative Christians who would like to dismantle the modern welfare state. As a Baptist and a liberal, I found his arguments comforting, eve...more

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Sep 22, 2010 Rob rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Wallis urges Christians and political leaders to address poverty, stressing Jesus' emphasis on helping the poor, the afflicted, and the needy. Criticizing both the left and the right for their moral failures, he writes against war spending, single-issue voting, and the violation of the sacredness of human life (abortion, in particular) and writes in favor of funding for education and assistance programs, civil rights of all Americans (including gay domestic partnerships, though it's unclear whet...more

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Mar 22, 2010 Jeff rated it 5 of 5 stars

I give this a perfect rating for its importance, but would give it 4-stars for its need of an editor (it is very repetitive). This is the one book that I wish everyone would read on the topic of Christianity and politics in the U.S. today. So, if you are someone whose religious perspective, whether atheist or Christian or whatever, plays a major role in their political thinking, you should read this book. For all of you who love sentiments like...
"There was only one real Christian in history, a...more

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Aug 25, 2009 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really like the balanced approach that Wallis takes to discussing a Christian's role in politics. Though it's a bit too dependent on his experiences alone, he does an excellent job of dispelling the myth that God is a Republican.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was his description of the most successful Christian political movements--they didn't start at the top but at the very bottom, serving those who were disenfranchised, forgotten, and marginalized (the civil rights moveme...more

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Jul 21, 2009 Berryblndgirl rated it 3 of 5 stars

I think Jim Wallis is right on about a lot of the political arguments he presents in this book. However, I think he is amazingly unrealistic about how much of his agenda could realistically be accomplished. Maybe I am just too cynical from my time in Washington, but I don't think there is as much support for the ideas he presents as he seems to think.

The thing I really disliked about this book, though, is that much of it seems to be aimed at puffing up Jim Wallis and Sojourners. It's great that...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Erica rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was published in 2005, so some parts of it seem dated. But, his main premise is still relevant today: God does not care only about the few issues that energize the Religious Right; He also cares about war, poverty, and policies that promote family (not the Right's definition of family values). Since I am not religious, some of the book was challenging for me to identify with, but it was refreshing to read Wallis's view. I usually read every word in books, and I did not do so for this one. I...more

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Dec 13, 2009 Jon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jesus called us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and be of service in other simple ways to 'the least of these'. This was the essence of the greater part of his message to us and is central to us learning and showing that we love God as He loves us.

This book, published after the 2004 election, throws cold water in the face of the meanness of the political right and the vacuousness of the political left with regard to how they treat religion in their campaigns.

I think thi...more

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Feb 05, 2009 Chris Comis rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: polite-polity, theology

Evangelical Leftism on steroids. The liberal plea for a generic set of "moral principles" ends up being as much a farce as the Religious Right's plea for "traditional moral values." Wallis rightly sees many of the problems with Evangelical Rightism's insistence on personal salvation, pro-life, etc., at the expense of other important social issues like poverty and third-world debt relief. But his solutions to these problems end up being as utopian statist as are those of his "rivals" from the Rel...more

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Apr 10, 2013 Andrew rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I've read many short articles by Jim Wallis but this is the first extended book of his that I have read. Overall I think that Wallis has a prophetic voice that the American Church needs to hear. After reading this book, I'm not convinced that the book format provides the best platform for him. I felt he was at times repetitive and some of the chapters read like a compilation of shorter articles. But I may have felt this way because I was already familiar with some of his writing.

Despite my rese...more

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Jul 27, 2011 Jtrynosky added it

Very interesting book, as a Catholic Conservative it gave me a lot to think about. It's a little dated, I purchased this after the '04 election cycle when it was first published, but it's sat in my book queue for some time. I found myself alternately nodding in agreement with the author, and shaking my head in disapproval on some of his statements. But we have a lot more common ground than I had expected. One thing is for sure, if the Democratic Party could ever figure out the Religion thing, an...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Brandon Haan rated it 3 of 5 stars

I like Jim Wallis, and I like his main points regarding faith and politics in this book. He articulates well his central argument--that faithfulness in politics and religion shouldn't be determined by party lines-- and he draws on his long many experiences as a Christian social and political reformer to provide a practical edge to what he writes. Additionally, he sounds a firm charge to idealistic people of faith to be the change they want to see in their religious traditions and societies. All...more

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About Jim Wallis

Jim Wallis is president and CEO of Sojourners and editor in chief 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 ten books, including the New York Times bestsellers God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It and The Great Awakening, and

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Books by Jim Wallis

The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith and Politics in a Post-Religious Right America

Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street

The Soul of Politics: Beyond "Religious Right" and "Secular Left"

The Call to Conversion: Why Faith Is Always Personal but Never Private

Faith Works: How to Live Your Beliefs and Ignite Positive Social Change

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“It just doesn’t make spiritual sense to suggest that the evil all lies “out there” with our adversaries and enemies, and none of it is “in here” with us—embedded in our own attitudes, behaviors, and policies.” — 2 people liked it

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