Episode 59: The Blessing and Burden of Citizenship
Esteemed author Dr. David Koyzis discusses the nature of idolatry, why conservatives are really liberals, and his new book on citizenship.
Shownotes
Political Visions and Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies by David Koyzis
Citizenship without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement by David Koyzis
Christian Civics Foundations online course by the Center for Christian Civics
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Introduction
Dr. David Koyzis has been called, “the most significant evangelical political theorist of our day.” His seminal 2003 book, Political Visions & Illusions, has influenced a generation of pastors, academics and political professionals, and helped change the way thoughtful evangelicals of every stripe think about their political commitments.
As he retired from teaching at Redeemer University in Canada, he published a new book, Citizenship Without Illusions, aimed at a more general audience. His approach to citizenship should resonate with anyone who has gone through Christian Civics Foundations.
A member of the Christian Civics Advisory Council, Dr. Koyzis joined the podcast to talk about his work, the state of politics today and how to interrogate our own ideologies.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You are the creator of heaven and earth. Of man and woman, jew and greek, free and slave, liberal and socialist, conservative and nationalist and democratist.
We are not immune to the ideologies of our culture. But you have promised a coming kingdom where people from every tribe will sing together in every tongue. So, teach us to praise your image wherever we see it. Teach us to test everything, cling to what is good, and flee from what is not.
Give use brothers in sisters in Christ now who can help us do this. And as we grow into the likeness of your Son, let us pour out our blessings together on the broken political culture around us. Let the relationships we build in the church empower us to be better at the work of citizenship, the work of collaborative government.
And in a time and place where the temptation to fight is strong, where the powers and principalities of this world are trying to get us to view other humans as monsters, and to treat monstrous acts as just and humane, teach us to approach our neighbors not as problems to be solved, but as image-bearers sharing in your world.
Because this world is yours, God.
We pray these things in Jesus’ name,
Amen.