Jesus' politics

In his book The Politics of Jesus, Obery Hendricks refuses to downplay the social consequences of the gospel. He starts with the Hebrew Testament stating that the primary goal of prophecy is "to effect social and political change in society. Prophets (he claims) never uncritically support the status quo. Rather their role is to challenge it." Tracing this theme into the New Testament, Obery compellingly interprets the crucifixion as a result of Christ's mission to replace the sovereignty of Caesar in the life of the Jewish people with the rule of God’s kingdom. Although I would agree with the general emphasis on the kingdom of God defining itself in contrast to societies in which oppressive status quos are upheld, I am not convinced in the sufficiency of this understanding or the methodology that Obery advances in expanding the divine kingdom. The primary aim of the gospel has never been solely about lifting people out of social slavery or economic poverty. The good news that Jesus came to preach to the poor [Is 61:1, Lk 4:18] was not merely that they would have financial stability. The poor are blessed because theirs is the kingdom of heaven and the sovereign of this heavenly domain offers us much more than physical comfort, economic freedom and social equality.

Of course I would be the last person to advocate a kingdom that was limited to the afterlife or one which did not profoundly influence an individual’s social status. I merely contest any depiction of a kingdom that is limited to the social arena and advanced primarily by political strategy. Though clearly this is an overstated generalization probably not directly intended by Obery, I get the impression that if we could elect democrats whose policy decisions better the lives of the least of these, then my politics would be in line with the revolution Jesus came to bring. This is where I become so conflicted in wanting to advance a society whose policies oppose oppression, while waiting for this kingdom that is not a matter of talk but of power [1 Cor 4:20], to break out of changed hearts and transform society. I guess part of the answer is to work and not wait for the first Tuesday of November next year.