There are two things we're not supposed to talk about at the dinner table: religion and politics. Nothing makes people argue faster than presenting opposing views on these topics. But Kaitlyn Schiess argues that our faith should inform our politics, and that the structure of our churches is shaped by politics (even if we refrain from talking about the president at the church potluck). While liturgy may be an unfamiliar concept to some people, the idea is that we are shaped by what we repeat--whether that is watching our favorite pundit on the news or attending church. This book directs readers to ask themselves, "what am I being formed to love?"

Scheiss began writing this book while she was studying at a seminary during and following the 2016 election. While she and her fellow soon-to-be pastors did not want to tell people how to vote, they recognized that our faith shapes our politics and our politics shape our faith. She believes that if Christians keep their allegiance to God above allegiance to any party or politician, the ways we should act (and vote) can become clearer. This book may make readers uncomfortable, and that's a good thing. While the ideas may challenge readers, the writing is not overly academic. The Liturgy of Politics just might make people re-evaluate what is forming them and how their beliefs and actions impact the people in their communities.


The Liturgy of Politics:
Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor
By Kaitlyn Schiess
InterVarsity Press September 2020
220 pages
Read via Netgalley

This was an amazing book! Particularly in today's political climate, this book is beautifully written, honest and refreshing. Kaitlyn Schiess expresses wisdom in a mature voice, but is also in tune with Milennials and the younger generation - and communicates many of their qualms with the current political climate in a convicting but compassionate way. This book stresses the importance of thinking about politics in a Christlike way, and Kaitlyn's linking of spiritual disciplines - both personal and corporate - is excellent! Highly, highly recommend.

Kaitlyn Schiess is a welcome voice for a young generation of Christians who are dismayed at the divisive political battles playing out year after year in our communities and in our churches. She presents an intersection of liturgical practices and political formation that is attainable for all Christians, regardless of our denomination or affiliation. She does this without championing either side of the current political spectrum we find ourselves in. She states that our Christian practices and traditions are good. That these "good practices lead us in the direction of seeking justice and defending the oppressed, goals with unavoidable political dimensions." If then Christian beliefs and practices are unavoidably political, how can the church encourage and train believers to apply their theological convictions to public life for the good of their neighbor, when so long we have been applying them for the good of ourselves - our prosperity, our security, our supremacy, our power? Kaitlyn employs in-depth research with timely explanations of current and historic liturgical practices and spiritual disciplines to show a new, yet ancient, way of building something better. If we are to be positive and caring agents of change in the communities we live in, then our spiritual disciplines are essential. After all, "spiritual disciplines are means by which the Holy Spirit works in the life of the community of God." Kaitlyn offers today's Christians a contemplative look at politics unlike any other in the Christian market today. I hope she continues to use her writing and her voice to inspire us to become more loving neighbors and more informed citizens.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to InterVarsity Press and NetGalley for this ARC of The Liturgy of Politics by Katherine Schiess. Like many of my fellow Christians I’m saddened and disturbed by the current political situation. I want to be a good citizen, but political rhetoric seems so contrary to Christ’s teaching that I’m tempted to wash my hands of it all. Enter The Liturgy of Politics. In Liturgy, Katherine Schiess makes the case for Christian involvement in government and politics. Schiess describes herself as an ex-evangelical, and there were portions of the book that were somewhat biased, but I felt that these sections were respectful of the opposing viewpoint. All of Scheiss’ arguments are well-researched and backed by scripture. I would recommend this to Christians who are wondering where we fit with regards to politics, and non-Christians seeking to understand the Christian perspective.

In The Liturgy of Politics, Schiess speaks to a generation of young Christians who “are weary of the political legacy they’ve inherited and are hungry for a better approach. They’re tired of seeing their faith tied to political battles they didn’t start, and they’re frustrated with leaders they thought they could trust.” She shows that the church’s politics are shaped by its habits and practices, even when it’s unaware of them. Spiritual formation, and particularly a focus on formative practices, are experiencing a renaissance in Christian thinking―but these ideas are not often applied to the political sphere. Schiess insists that the way out of our political morass is first to recognize the formative power of the political forces all around us, and then to recover historic Christian practices that shape us according to the truth of the gospel.

This book is written for our time. It is challenging, but also a mirror. It is a book written for such a time as this. We live in a divided world and politics is at the heart of that. This book looks at how politics can change going forward and how Christians can influence that, as the author looks back at key times in history and key ideals that we have lost in politics today

I received a free copy of this book by the publisher via  Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
All opinions are my own

I highly enjoyed this book and it was very timely to read. It is well researched and thought through.
I loved being able to see the biblical purpose of politics laid out plainly and the criticism of our party system and what we need to change it to be more christ like.

Our politics have become dangerous and each side needs to come together and face hard facts side by side with scripture and learn to navigate the hard stuff in pursuit of the kingdom of God.

Beautifully written and extremely convicting. Loved it.

If you want a light and easy read, keep looking. If you want a book that clearly seeks to anger and divide within the political space, this isn't it. But if you care about faith and politics, this is one to pick up. And if you would say that you're a Christian but haven't spent much time thinking about politics (or think that Christians shouldn't be involved in/share about politics), I would encourage you to take time to read this book.

Although the author does quote one particular person several times, leaving me as the reader wishing Schiess quoted a larger variety of sources/books/people (etc), it's an extremely timely book with a viewpoint I haven't seen laid out in the same way elsewhere.

“How can we have a pessimistic account of human political institutions — knowing that they are passing away and corrupted by sin — and yet still faithfully participate in politics?”

In this phenomenal book, Kaitlyn Schiess lays out the case for political engagement from Christians who have traditionally wanted to “keep politics out of it.” She makes a passionate, well-reasoned argument in favor of political involvement for the sake of our neighbors as embodiment of our faith. More than once I thought: ‘Rachel Held Evans would have loved this book.’

I learned so much from Schiess’s scholarship. A particularly interesting part is when she talks about how we are formed by the delivery (tone, emotion, etc.) of information along with the actual content and the implications that has in the midst our media-heavy, politically-charged culture. She argues that politics in the U.S. verge on a idolatry, stoked by fear and demands of loyalty.

Ultimately, Schiess says: “The line between our political beliefs, our moral beliefs, and our theological beliefs is blurry, if not entirely invented.” Her book outlines the ways that churches can be a training ground for responsible political engagement and that it is indeed our biblical duty to do so. With supporting research and clear-eyed analysis, Schiess covers the ways churches need to reconsider their programming in order to be faithful political participants and similarly how spiritual disciples can be used both positively and negatively for this formation. In a very powerful closing she says, “A theology born out of resistance to political authorities from an oppressed position cannot result in private piety and political quietism unless it is read and practiced by the privileged.”

Disclaimer: I was paid by the author to edit a few pre-order bonuses for this book.

Since my review would likely be considered biased, I'm going to simply share one of my favorite quotes from the book, which I believe speaks for itself.

"This is what will keep pessimism from leading to inaction: creative, imaginative thinking with an eschatological orientation. Augustine's theology, particularly the narrative of the two cities, properly understood in relationship to CONFESSIONS, helps pilgrim citizens of the city of God seek policy change and social transformation that is neither entirely hampered by theologically informed pessimism nor constrained by the competing stories of the earthly city."

I've been eagerly anticipating Kaitlyn's book since I first found out she was going to be writing it. It did not disappoint. With her customary insight and wisdom, she examines the ways that Christians have been malformed by the ways we have been taught to engage in or completely disengage from political involvement. She then offers time-tested, biblically based correctives that, if we let them, could truly form us into a Church that embraces the political sphere as one of the chief ways given to us to truly love our neighbours as ourselves. She draws on the work of scholars and theologians, past and present, from a variety of traditions to present a truer, more Christ-like path forward. That she does this while avoiding the trap of prescribing a 10-step, one size fits all program is no mean feat. I'll be widely recommending this book.

I am so impressed by Schiess and how well this book speaks on such a difficult subject! The Liturgy of Politics provides a challenging and inspiring call to all Christians to engage our politics and faith together, not separately. Recognizing the political implications of Christianity and stewarding that influence towards justice for our neighbors is SO important.
The discussion on liturgy and how our loves are shaping us towards a certain vision of the good life borrows heavily from James K.A. Smith's You Are What You Love (which I think is fantastic!). Realizing that we are being formed by what we do repeatedly (liturgy), whether consciously or not, is a necessary step towards more thoughtful spiritual formation and political activism.

The chapter on the different gospels we believe that conflict with the Christian gospel (prosperity, patriotic, security, and supremacy) is fire. It is bold and unapologetic and so, so necessary. Schiess manages to write a book about the church and politics and faithful involvement in both while not elevating any one political party or stance. She is constantly reminding us of how our practices (and politics) are ultimately meant to bring justice, love our neighbor well, and create communities that offer glimpses into God's ultimate redemption and plan for flourishing.

This book has tons of biblical support, is well written, and is especially timely during an election year. I'd encourage every Christian to read this!

The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor by Kaitlyn Schiess confronts the dualism of Christians who shunt their faith and politics into different arenas of their lives and offers a robust framework for embracing the ways our faith should inform our politics and recognizing the dangerous ways our politics forms our faith. She boldly critiques both conservative Christians who have trusted the Republican Party to the detriment of their witness and progressive Christians whose over correction has swung the pendulum into dangerous territory, challenging the Church instead to be a training ground for political engagement that transcends partisanship.

While little of Schiess’s observations and challenges for Christians are brand new, I believe they have been packaged for the first time in a way that is accessible to a wide variety of lay Christians without downplaying the true complexity of engaging in politics in a theologically robust way. This is a book I think every Christian needs to read, and it’s release in a presidential election year is especially timely.

This book felt so timely, a gracious correction to a church culture that vacillates between no political engagement and problematic obsession. This is definitely an academic read, and even as a seminary student, I had to pause a few times to make sure I understood Schiess’s point. For those already familiar with political and theological language and looking for a book that will guide them towards reflection and deep consideration— I cannot think of a better read. For those seeking an elementary explanation of how to engage in politics as a believer, this may be best read after doing some basic study.

I found The Liturgy of Politics to be a very worthwhile read, particularly in these days of global pandemic that are also leading up to a presidential election in the United States. It is sufficiently academic without being dry or trite, but does not lose its tenderness for people's day-to-day lives. If you're interested at all in why Christians should become or remain involved in politics - or if you're convinced that they shouldn't! - definitely pick this up.

My review is from reading a pre-launch version of this book that I received from NetGalley.

The author, Kaitlyn Schiess, gives us a very good snapshot of how some evangelicals have, "solidified a particular approach to political engagement largely based in a partnership with the Republican party." Her argument is backed up by other authors who have written on this subject many of which I have read. As a result of this alliance she writes, "The idol demanded more and more of us until we abdicated our true identities for a false one."

Through her book Kaitlyn Schiess establishes the important connection between spiritual formation and politics. She does this by using James K. A. Smith's thinking regarding liturgies that form us. Until the invention of the printing press and the reduction in the cost of books much of the education of Church congregations occurred through the liturgies they developed.

She looks at ways liturgies can be used to inform us about our political lives in dangerous or biblically motivated ways. I personally was informed, moved, and validated in reading this book. The chapters that were particularly moving and informative to me were where the subject matter informed us about the need to be a part of a community of believers, the Church as a political training ground, spiritual disciplines as political formation, reading politics with Augustine, and eschatology and political formation. All of her chapters were well thought out and written, but these exposed areas in my life that are in need of growth.

I am 71 years old, attended Bible College and Seminary, and love to read, learn and grow and I am glad that she listened to her professor that told her if she waited until she was 100 percent ready, she would never write it, and to all the other people who have had an influence in her growth. To use a phrase from her Acknowledgments, "I am thankful beyond words" that she used her gifts to write this book. I will be reading it again and highly recommend it as addition to your library.

As a final note: This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.