Kingdom or Empire?

""This is an essential book for today. So many Christians have become confused about the gospel, and the resurging Christian nationalism is proof. The kingdom of God preached by Jesus was the antidote for power, coercion, and national pride. The gospel was the antidote for empire. This book reminds us that the good news is service, love of the stranger, and worship of Jesus alone as Lord. He alone is the one Word God has spoken, so we must trust and obey him, not nationalist visions to make any country great by Christian rule. And not the co-option of Christians with Christian symbols and language to give our loyalty to nationalist leaders as chosen by God."" --Tim Costello, Director, Ethical Voice Pty Ltd ""Kingdom or Empire? delivers a fast-moving theological analysis of issues often left to political scientists and commentators. In today's climate of polarization, Graham Joseph Hill challenges Christians to see the complexities of nationalism and populism through a biblical lens. His contrast between Christian nationalism and kingdom citizenship offers a compelling introductory framework for rethinking the role of faith in an age of upheaval."" --John A. Rees, Professor of Politics and International Relations, The University of Notre Dame Australia ""It feels like our world is teeming with little Caesars, each claiming sovereignty over their empires of dust, each appealing to the craven patriotism of their subjects. Their kind of populism bears no resemblance to the values of the reign of King Jesus. Thankfully, Graham Joseph Hill lays bare the stark differences between cheap nationalism and the good and beautiful kingdom of God. This is such a helpful book for our fraught times."" --Michael Frost, Director, Tinsley Institute, Morling College, Sydney ""In an age when the cross is so easily draped in the colors of the nation-state, Graham Hill offers a timely and prophetic call for the church to recover its primary allegiance to the kingdom of God. Kingdom or Empire? exposes the subtle ways Christian faith can be co-opted by projects of power, fear, and exclusion, and invites us back to the cruciform way of Jesus, marked by humility, justice, reconciliation, and love of enemy. Drawing wisely on Scripture, history, and contemporary global movements, Hill challenges believers to resist political idolatries without retreating from public life. This is a courageous, clear-eyed, and deeply pastoral book that equips Christians to live faithfully as kingdom citizens in a contested political age."" --Michael P. Jensen, Rector, St Mark's Anglican Church, Darling Point ""This is an essential book for today. So many Christians have become confused about the gospel, and the resurging Christian nationalism is proof. The kingdom of God preached by Jesus was the antidote for power, coercion, and national pride. The gospel was the antidote for empire. This book reminds us that the good news is service, love of the stranger, and worship of Jesus alone as Lord. He alone is the one Word God has spoken, so we must trust and obey him, not nationalist visions to make any country great by Christian rule. And not the co-option of Christians with Christian symbols and language to give our loyalty to nationalist leaders as chosen by God."" --Tim Costello, Director, Ethical Voice Pty Ltd ""Kingdom or Empire? delivers a fast-moving theological analysis of issues often left to political scientists and commentators. In today's climate of polarization, Graham Joseph Hill challenges Christians to see the complexities of nationalism and populism through a biblical lens. His contrast between Christian nationalism and kingdom citizenship offers a compelling introductory framework for rethinking the role of faith in an age of upheaval."" --John A. Rees, Professor of Politics and International Relations, The University of Notre Dame Australia ""It feels like our world is teeming with little Caesars, each claiming sovereignty over their empires of dust, each appealing to the craven patriotism of their subjects. Their kind of populism bears no resemblance to the values of the reign of King Jesus. Thankfully, Graham Joseph Hill lays bare the stark differences between cheap nationalism and the good and beautiful kingdom of God. This is such a helpful book for our fraught times."" --Michael Frost, Director, Tinsley Institute, Morling College, Sydney ""In an age when the cross is so easily draped in the colors of the nation-state, Graham Hill offers a timely and prophetic call for the church to recover its primary allegiance to the kingdom of God. Kingdom or Empire? exposes the subtle ways Christian faith can be co-opted by projects of power, fear, and exclusion, and invites us back to the cruciform way of Jesus, marked by humility, justice, reconciliation, and love of enemy. Drawing wisely on Scripture, history, and contemporary global movements, Hill challenges believers to resist political idolatries without retreating from public life. This is a courageous, clear-eyed, and deeply pastoral book that equips Christians to live faithfully as kingdom citizens in a contested political age."" --Michael P. Jensen, Rector, St Mark's Anglican Church, Darling Point