Jesus and the Powers

'The world is awash in terror, tyranny, and trauma, divisions and despair, not just in the west, but in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Our world seems dangerously combustible, due to financial crises, pandemics, increasing injustices and inequalities, democratic chaos, geo-political upheaval, wars and rumours of more wars to come.’In Jesus and the Powers Tom Wright and Michael F. Bird join forces to address the pressing question: How can Christians engage with the turbulent politics of our times while remaining true to the teaching and example of Jesus? With wisdom and clarity, Wright and Bird present a compelling case for Christians to embody a counter-cultural witness that upholds the biblical ideals of justice, mercy and truth while vigorously opposing oppressive political schemes based on autocracy and nationalism. Grounded in the transformative message of Jesus and the apostles, Jesus and the Powers challenges believers to embrace their role as agents of God's Kingdom by courageously standing against tyrannical forces wherever they may appear, and by helping to cultivate flourishing liberal democracies that promote the freedom, dignity and well-being of all people.

Tom Wright is Research Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Early Christianity at the University of St Andrews and Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford. He is the author of more than 80 influential books, including The New Testament for Everyone, Simply Christian, Surprised by Hope, The Day the Revolution Began, Paul: A biography, The New Testament in its World, On Earth as in Heaven and Into the Heart of Romans (all published by SPCK). Michael F. Bird is Academic Dean and Lecturer in New Testament at Ridley College, Australia. He is the author of numerous scholarly and popular books on the New Testament and theology, including, with Tom Wright, The New Testament in its World (SPCK, 2019).