Christ and the Kingdoms of Men: Foundations of Political Life

“It has been two or three decades since anyone has written a fairly comprehensive treatment of the role of government from a Christian perspective, let alone a Reformed one. No matter what nuanced views one might have about this or that, this book is long overdue and much needed in Christian circles, including in the classrooms of Christian colleges and universities. The Lord of heaven desires that we serve him in the governmental-political-legal realm here on earth, and this book helps us know how to do that. In addition, it enables us to ask the important questions that might take us deeper into this most crucial subject. Dr. Innes has given all of us, of whatever theological stripe, a critical work at a critical time.”

“What happens when a former pastor with deep training in Reformed theology, a PhD in political science from one of the most prestigious graduate programs in the country, and decades of college classroom experience writes an introductory textbook on politics? Christ and the Kingdoms of Men! This volume is the most serious work of its kind and is must reading for young men and women in need of an orien- tation to the politics of this world drawn from a prudent teacher who knows the difference between God’s kingdom and the principalities of men.”

“In Christ and the Kingdoms of Men, Dr. Innes offers an excellent contri- bution to Christian political thought: an erudite and well-synthesized theology of politics that is steeped in Scripture and in the riches of tradition—all while attending carefully to the questions and problems that are central to political theory. If you are looking for vague virtues and gentle generalizations that will sit comfortably with all readers, look elsewhere. Instead, Innes offers a bracing, pithy, and Reformed account of the Bible’s teaching on politics that is both far-reaching and concise. Readers will be instructed, exhorted, and challenged to greater faithfulness and further inquiry by Innes’s fine work—both where they agree with him and where they wish to debate.”

“David C. Innes’s Christ and the Kingdoms of Men is a remarkable accomplishment. At once learned and lucid, sophisticated and accessi- ble, the book certainly serves its principal audience—students and the reading public—exceedingly well. But teachers and Christian intel- lectuals should not be misled by the word foundations in the subtitle. The book is a formidable synthesis of deep scriptural and theological learning, on the one hand, and a broad and rich understanding of the history of political philosophy, on the other. We will long be in Professor Innes’s debt.”

“David Innes’s new contribution to clear thinking about politics includes dramatic quotations that show our sinful nature, including one from serial killer Carl Panzram: ‘I wish the entire human race had one neck and I had my hands around it!’ Some on the right express a similar sentiment about federal officials, but Dr. Innes is far wiser than they, and also wiser than those on the left such as former Rep. Barney Frank, quoted within as saying, ‘Government is simply the name we give to the things we choose to do together.’ Christ and the Kingdoms of Men shows that we have many ways to do things together: all who read it will learn which activities should involve government, and which should not.”