John Howard Yoder was at least twenty-five years ahead of his time when he first wrote this rich piece. While many, including himself, may regard it as a apologetic toward Christian pacifism, I really think it lays a thesis of taking all the teachings of Jesus seriously and living them out. My favorite chapter is his working through Romans 13, and looking at it through the larger context of Romans 12-14. A must for every critically thinking Christian. ( )

Given the subject of the book--Christian pacifism--I really want to like it. But there are just a few things that keep me from enjoying it.

I know this sounds superficial, but first there is the writing style. Yoder writes as a scholar for scholars. He uses big technical words, lots of footnotes, and references to philosophy and theology. I don't think of myself as a dummy (I used to read Albert Camus and St. Augustine for fun), but I prefer simple, conversational style of writing. I don't like being dumbed down, though; I love books that challenge my way of thinking. But I prefer language that I'm used to.

But the main reason I'm iffy about Yoder is his theology. There are passages where he hints that Jesus was just a man anointed by God, rather than the Son of God. Second, he focuses only on the Gospel of Luke, and hints that Matthew and Mark might not have gotten it right. Traditional Christians believe that, while all the details in all four gospels don't totally agree, that they are all true accounts of Jesus' ministry. Third, Yoder argues that Jesus' ministry was primarily a political one. I don't believe that the gospel is completely apolitical, though. To me, the gospel of Jesus is for every part of life, from politics to relationships to work
to personal salvation. To limit Jesus to just one thing would be the limit the power of the gospel.

So I will have to give the Politics of Jesus two and a half stars out of five. While I agree with the nonviolence theory, the theology just doesn't add up. ( )

This is one of the best books I've read this year! ( )

from back cover: "The teachings and ministry of Jesus, the author of this new study of Christian social ethics believes, represent a coherent and relevant approach to the fundamental issues of Christian behavior in the world. Yoder begins with a careful--though not technical--reading of the gospel text, especially as recorded by Luke; and he pursues the application of the stance of Jesus in the life of the Apostolic community, giving particular attention to the thought of the Apostle Paul. The effect of the study is to support a specific kind of Christian pacifism and a theologically coherent radical attitude toward society; but its primary concern is to proclaim the full relevance of the incarnation for the social faithfulness of Jesus' disciples--today as well as during New Testament times."

CONTENTS:
1. The Possibility of a Messianic Ethic
2. The Kingdom Coming
3. The Implications of the Jubilee
4. God Will Fight for Us
5. The Possibility of Nonviolent Resistance
6. Trial Balance
7. The Disciple of Christ and the Way of Jesus
8. Christ and Power
9. Revolutionary Subordination
10. Let Every Soul Be Subject: Romans 13 and the Authority of the State
11. Justification by Grace Through Faith
12. The War of the Lamb

Yoder, a Mennonite and a pacifist, engages the academic New Testament crowd with this overview of Jesus' stance on non-violence. (For Yoder that is the majority of Jesus' politics.) Yoder uses the academic work on Jesus very well, and makes a very compelling case. He focuses mostly on Luke. This is not neccessariy an overview of the topic--more a focused study on one aspect of the "politics of Jesus." ( )