Using the text of the New Testament, this engaging study criticallyexamines the traditional portrait of Jesus as an apolitical figure and clarifies...
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Jul 17, 2009
Aeisele
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I think I've been close to considering becoming a pacificist for a while, but Yoder moves me that much closer. And the reasons for this have very little to do with philosophical argumentation, i.e. I would not become a pacificist as an "intellectual" position. They have much more do to with my Christian convictions that our behavior ought to be modelled on the form of Jesus' life and ministry. Yoder, first of all, convinces completely that this form of life was political in character (
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Jan 24, 2011
Nick
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I got interested in Yoder through Stanley Hauerwas and decided to read this book. For some reason, probably at least partly bias because of the Amish last name, I had assumed that this book would be simple and folksy. It is far, far from that--even if its message is reasonably simple, Yoder's style is heavily-footnoted, erudite academic (which I don't mind). In fact, I learned six new words from this book, which may be a record:
-parousia
-elenchtic
-docetic
-ebionitic
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-parousia
-elenchtic
-docetic
-ebionitic
- More...
Jan 29, 2011
marcus
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I tried reading this when I was in college. I remember bogging down somewhere in the middle and never finishing the book. Reading it 30 years later I found the book much more understandable which says much more about me and where I was at in college than it does about John Howard Yoder and his writing. If I understand him correctly, Yoder states that we should read the New Testament through the person of Jesus and that we should pay attention to the political dimensions of his message. Some of
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Mar 22, 2010
Larry
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This is, in many ways, a foundational book for Christians, and has been influential among those who might be called new evangelicals. Yoder does a good job in pointing out the many ways in which the ministry of Jesus involved a confrontation with the political principalities and powers present in 1st Century Judea.
In my opinion the latter chapters are stronger than the earlier. The book is polemical in nature against those who claim that Jesus was apolitical or that his ethic pre More...
In my opinion the latter chapters are stronger than the earlier. The book is polemical in nature against those who claim that Jesus was apolitical or that his ethic pre More...
Feb 02, 2012
Jonathan
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In The Politics of Jesus, John Howard Yoder wrote a controversial book that covers many ideas worth discussing. I understand why some Christians have attacked the book, but the actual contents weren't at all what I was expecting based on their attacks. Instead, I saw a surprising theme develop, the idea that "God is in control", from which all of our actions proceed accordingly. I was challenged by Yoder's call to see nonviolent actions and other Christ-dictated responses not as the
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Dec 16, 2009
Joel
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Possibly the most influential book in my spiritual development thus far... its value lies its cunning exposure of some very fundamental assumptions that we make when approaching God and determining what he wants from us.
Do not get side-tracked by his seemingly simplistic agenda towards non-violence. It is more nuanced than it appears at first look.
Do not get side-tracked by his seemingly simplistic agenda towards non-violence. It is more nuanced than it appears at first look.
Apr 03, 2010
Gregory
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Yoder is famous for being a pacifist (at least that's all I really heard about him until reading this book). But, there's tons of helpful material here besides his pacifist conclusions. Each point he makes is thoroughly documented, with scholarly interaction from the major theologians of the time (late 60s & 70s).
I found Yoder almost as exciting to read as N.T. Wright. His footnotes were often little rabbit-trails of gold.
Refreshing to read as Christians fret about More...
I found Yoder almost as exciting to read as N.T. Wright. His footnotes were often little rabbit-trails of gold.
Refreshing to read as Christians fret about More...
Nov 05, 2010
Lynne
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The two problems with this book are (1) its very dated in its language and audience (it was published in 1972, and the later updates haven't changed much), and (2) its language is very "scholarly", which means overblown and less-than-useful to people who don't enjoy the convoluted.
That being said, if you will bother wading through it, it's a good discussion of what Jesus did and did not do or mean regarding oppression, politics, and the like.
There are also several More...
That being said, if you will bother wading through it, it's a good discussion of what Jesus did and did not do or mean regarding oppression, politics, and the like.
There are also several More...
Feb 07, 2010
David
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After reading Christian Witness to the State I felt like re-reading this book. The re-read confirmed that this as one of my all time favorite books. Yoder's thesis is rather simple: Jesus Christ is the norm for Christian ethics. He is responding to the argument, made by many Christians, that Jesus' ethic, his way of life, is just not practical or was never intended to be the way that Christians live. Yoder makes no claim at this being a full systematic study, but the ground he does cover in
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Apr 20, 2010
J.D.
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This was a book I've been wanting to read for quite a while so I definitely went in with high expectations. As I read through the introduction, I was extremely happy to find out that this would not be a book that simply perpetuated(or supported those who perpetuate) the social justice Jesus. In my opinion this does what many who support this do in providing for a narrow Jesus who has a very one dimensional agenda. Yoder makes it very clear that it will be a thorough study and will not settle for
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Jul 24, 2010
Sarah
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Yoder's arguments are very compelling and now I understand why many Christians believe the church cannot support war at all in any circumstances. Yoder first argues that Jesus is socially relevant and that the way we are called to be like him is in the realm of social ethics. He concludes by explaining that we are called to the way of the cross, which means giving up any attempt to take control of history and instead obey in a radical way by submitting to suffering.
May 22, 2010
John
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This book has gotten great press, but undeservedly in my opinion. Much of it is not original thinking; Yoder is prone to simply setting aside arguments that are too difficult to refute, and much of it is simply quotations from other sources. If this is great theological scholarship, that says something about the quality of theological scholarship these days. THE Mennonite theologian with original thinking these days is Gordon Kauffman at Harvard.
May 10, 2009
Jackson
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This is a compelling argument for pacifism from the life and teachings of Jesus. Though it is clearly written from a Mennonite perspective, and though I cannot agree with all of Yoder's interpretations (one of my professors calls it "The Politics of John Howard Yoder"), it is still a worthwhile read, particularly if one wants to understand the viewpoint of pacifists or if one has inclinations that way.
Nov 28, 2011
Matthew
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Through The Politics of Jesus, Yoder taught me the relevance of Jesus' nonviolent witness for my life today. I owe Yoder plenty of gratitude for shaping my ministry around nonviolence and radical hospitality. Thank goodness this book made the syllabus in Hauerwas' ethics class! I could not ask for better mentors in ministry than Hauerwas and Yoder. A must read for those considering Christian pacifism.
Jun 13, 2011
Trevor
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I moved between liking this book and not liking it. On the one hand, Yoder is an able thinker and writer who has great faith in the power of God to change people/places by the alternative witness of the church in society. On the other hand, I don't see how forming what amounts to convents and monateries affects the public at-large. I know he insists that it's not sectarianims that he's talking about, but I'm not clear on how his vision works out in the world of laws, law enforcement, and war.
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Sep 30, 2008
David
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This is a tough book to judge.
Two stars might be too much, depending on the reader.
It is basically the start of the postchristian movement, which is a horrible name. (pacifism is a HUGE push for them, with my limited knowledge I still think that they are within the family of God)
This was the first book about the bible that I read that wasn't the bible or a devotional. (12 yrs ago) So why ain't I smarter?
They do give some great examples of not resorti More...
Two stars might be too much, depending on the reader.
It is basically the start of the postchristian movement, which is a horrible name. (pacifism is a HUGE push for them, with my limited knowledge I still think that they are within the family of God)
This was the first book about the bible that I read that wasn't the bible or a devotional. (12 yrs ago) So why ain't I smarter?
They do give some great examples of not resorti More...
Aug 03, 2011
Kudos. A 'must-read' that I read many years ago...If you are not to speak about politics or religion without giving offense then this book is doubly-offensive. OR, do the two negatives cancel themselves out so that this book avoids the negativity and actually offers a third way...an untried way...I would suggest that it is the later and was way before it's time.
Feb 09, 2012
Brian
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I thought it was really good. I'm interested to see what else he has to say in his other books.
Basically what I took away from it is that following Christ is about following His example. We are called to be obedient, not to seek what we think is the most effective way to change the world. The world's standards and God's standards are completely different, power is not found in ruling though violence, force, manipulation or coercion, but through sacrifice and serving, though carrying More...
Basically what I took away from it is that following Christ is about following His example. We are called to be obedient, not to seek what we think is the most effective way to change the world. The world's standards and God's standards are completely different, power is not found in ruling though violence, force, manipulation or coercion, but through sacrifice and serving, though carrying More...
Jul 23, 2011
Matt
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This is a very powerful book that should be read by all Theological students. It is a challenging read and will make you think a lot. It will challenge your perceptions of Christ as well. Yoder was way ahead of his time with this one. It is very applicable for today with the discussion of the pacifist views that are going about with the current situation in Iraq.
Nov 11, 2011
Dm
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So did Jesus really mean turn the other cheek and love your enemy? It might mean radical obedience to what Jesus taught if it is really true. If you are the follower of a great king, what business do you have in the affairs of another state? Good questions for the Christian who unhesitatingly follows where the state leads.
Aug 06, 2011
Yoder writes concerning the kind of political challenge Jesus was to 1st century Roman and Jewish culture. The politics of Jesus presents a real contrast to the way we align ourselves today. Jesus' politics are of a radically different nature than the left or the right.
Aug 08, 2011
DJ
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Examines the social implications of those who would call themselves disciples of Christ.
A bit dry in some places, relying heavily on opinion and personal interpretation of New Testament Text, but worth a read.
A bit dry in some places, relying heavily on opinion and personal interpretation of New Testament Text, but worth a read.
Jan 12, 2009
Jenn
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This is one of my favorite books about pacifism and a life lived seeking change from the bottom-up instead of seeking power from the top. Short review, sorry! It's been awhile since I read it.
Feb 24, 2009
Cole
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Yoder's most famous book is challenging, and inspirational, but the effect of this books comes about a month after you read it. Oddly enough this book never left me.
Aug 13, 2010
Libby
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My summer reading assignment from Mark, this book is basically an extended literature review of theology/New Testament studies that point to the ethics of Jesus and the early church being relevant to today's real-world social issues. Yoder's thesis is that the great temptation that Jesus rejected was the temptation to take rule by force and that Christians are therefore similarly called to reject using power to effect social change. I didn't love Yoder's writing style, but found his assertions b
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Jan 30, 2010
Chris
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A classic Mennonite Christian work on Jesus and what he means for living simply and standing up for peace and justice today. Need to read this again.
Sep 11, 2011
Andrew
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Really quite stunning. I have read a lot of books about the non-violence and meanings of Jesus' politics, but this book brought quite a number of fresh ideas to light.
Jan 02, 2009
I was supposed to read this for a class, but I dropped it... I've been wanting to go back and read it ever since.
Dec 08, 2008
Christ
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This book is amazing. If you want to get some sort of grounding in the ethics of Jesus, this should be your first stop. This book is especially relevant in today's America that is ruled by a group of Evangelicals that believe direct involvement in the government is going to change society for the better without looking at themselves to change.
Jul 03, 2009
Nick
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Though I don't buy into all of Yoder's arguments for pacifism, I found this to be a very thought provocing book.
