Kingdom Conversations is a series of book published by NavPress, in partnership with MissioAlliance, that seeks to bring together the best of evangelical scholarship to talk through some of the most pressing issues of public theology and living in the Kingdom while still living in the world. I was a huge fan of When the Universe Cracks, the first book in the series, which seemed to be most urgently focused on responding to the COVID epidemic and all of the associated crises that came with it. The book offered advice that was specific enough to feel relevant, but general enough that it holds value for any time of crisis.

The second book is Kingdom and Country: Following Jesus in the Land that You Love, and is a response to the rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States. Angie Ward returns as the series’ general editor and she leads contributors in a conversation about existing as citizens of two very different kingdoms. There are ten chapters in all, written by ten different contributors, each chapter at just about 15 pages. Rod Wilson helps us understand why these conversations are challenging and how we can have them in an appropriate fashion. It’s a solid foundational chapter to lead off the book. Karen Wilk offers a theology of God’s Kingdom; Ryan Tafilowski wades into the church’s history with the state and what we can learn from that history. As editor, Ward crafts a straightforward and compelling narrative that sets up the foundation of the discussion, then branches it off into substantive discussions of specifics.

It's a good book. But I also think it’s a safe book. The upside to this is that it might be read by many evangelicals who find themselves uncomfortable with the increasingly nationalistic tenor of their strain of faith=particularly as we move into the 2024 election cycle. Kingdom and Country is a critique from the inside, carefully questioning the paradigm in which it is set in a way that is clear and concise. The downside is that, at least to me who admittedly exists to the left of many of the book’s contributors, Kingdom and Country’s critique isn’t strong enough. It asks for a small movement away from danger when we should be running away.

And while that’s my critique, I also want to be clear that it is what I expected from the book. And don’t get me wrong: we need people on the inside fighting against the insidious slide toward nationalism. But I can’t help but think the voices need to be louder and little more panicked. Kingdom and Country is a start to the conversation, but it cannot be the end. This book is a gateway into better, more difficult, and more radical discussions.

The goal of Kingdom Conversations and this book in particular can be summarized by this quote from contributor Michelle Ami Reyes: “What we need instead is a national story born from a spirit of ecumenism, generosity, and civic friendship in which Brown, Black, and White, men, women, and children can flourish together.” That’s the goal of this book and I think it does the work of bringing us closer toward that realization.

Is there a difference between patriotism and nationalism? What about our allegiance to God and country? Are they the same? Thanks to social media, people are starting to be vocal about the state of politics, in the country. For Christians, it is about practicing their faith in an increasingly secular world. Some might even say that our world is increasingly becoming anti-Christian. Recognizing the deep splits and contentious divisions in the country, several authors, teachers, pastors, and theologians have come together to share about what it means to follow Jesus in the country. Kicking off the discussion is Rod Wilson who laments at how politics had affected a typical small group discussion. Just like how Donald Trump had become a contentious President, mere mention of his name in any group setting could spark a wave of arguments. Wilson challenges us to begin with the example of Jesus and then learn how to cultivate quality conversations with humble curiosity while managing our heart-felt convictions. Karen Wilk shows us a vision of the kingdom of God and how we ought not promote human agendas in its name but to join in God's will as He leads. That means when prompted inside, we need to manifest the kingdom of God outwardly, especially those outside of our comfort zones. Ryan Tafilowski takes us back to the early centuries and Old Testament times to remind us how our predecessors had fared under the threat of persecution and hardship. Christians need to live with integrity even when it means being bullied or tortured by the powers that be. Derek Vreeland shares how the people of God in the Old Testament lived under different authorities. From theocracy to living under autocratic governments, he cautions us against taking the law into our own hands and throwing away any trust in God. Instead, the main role for God's people is more subversive rather than combative. Sean Palmer looks at the meaning of allegiance and the difference between allegiance to God and to country. The best way forward is for Christians to hold the state accountable to God rather in the virtues of grace and love to one another. Michelle Ami Reyes looks at the narrative of what it means to be American and what it means to be Christian. She debunks the false narrative of seeing America as a "Christian nation" when it is clearly not. She then provides a new multilayered guide to understanding a new narrative. Tina Boesch reflects on the status of what it means to be a stranger in a foreign land. It takes first-hand experience of what it means to be treated like a foreigner before one appreciates the privileges of citizenship. Between dominion and disengagement from society, the overriding attitude to the land we are living is to practice discipleship within the local community we live in. Alejandro Mandes urges us to look beyond all kinds of multicultural differences to become citizen-disciples. Juliet Liu notes how many Christian leaders got carried away with politics, nationalism, and Trump, and urges pastors to preach the gospel instead. Mandy Smith implores believers to humble themselves and pray. She calls us all to pledge ourselves in a new creed that proclaims God above all human allegiances.

My Thoughts
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There is a reason why there is a popular maxim that advises groups in social setting never to discuss anything pertaining to politics or religion. Such topics often raise non-stop controversies that could lead to unpleasant conversations which might break relationships, even established ones. Well, popular belief is one thing. Christian belief is yet another. Christians cannot simply disengage from all things political. Neither should they become so involved that they compromise their gospel calling. This book shows us the two main ways to do just that.

The first way is to resist the temptation to use the Name of Christ to conquer political domains or to abuse the gospel for our own political ambitions. Several contributors help us see the reasons why we should not overextend the kingdom of God into the visible dominion of the world. Wilson shares a heartbreaking story of how politics divided a small community group that used to be closely knitted. Tafilowski, Vreeland, Palmer point to the futility of trying to take things into our own hands. This is another reason why we ought to keep a good distinction between Church and State. Echoing the late Martin Luther King Jr's words, the Church should not be a slave but the conscious of the state. If the first way is a warning about us getting distracted from our gospel priorities, the second way is a renewed call to discern the will of God once again to be disciples wherever we are. We are called to get back to the Bible's teachings and be faithful, humble disciples. Liu makes it clear that we must preach the gospel over and over again. Smith takes us back to recite and live out a new creed that states our allegiance to God. We need to hold both ways together: Resist the temptation toward dominion of worldly institutions, and to hold on to the commission of Jesus. Far too many believers have confused the two. We need clarity. We need guidance. We need wisdom. This book provides all these.

Angie Ward is a leadership teacher and writer with over 30 years of ministry experience in church, parachurch, nonprofit, and educational contexts. She is an award-winning contributor to Christianity Today leadership publications and a highly regarded teacher and speaker. A sportswriter in a previous life, Angie and her husband live in Denver, where she serves as Assistant Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Denver Seminary.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

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This book has been provided courtesy of NavPress, Tyndale House Publishers, and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.