Vote Jesus Christ

“The problem with Scott Spencer’s book is that it is too perceptive to be listed among the political theology books. There is a pastoral theology in abundance, institutional critique cropping up, and personal discipleship challenges on every page. Plus, it’s clever and fun and satirical all at once. I hope churches preach this book in the run-up to elections because it offers a bold Jesus- and cross- and kingdom-shaped vision of Christianity, the church, and Christian leaders. This book shows that we have failed to realize this vision more than we care to admit.”


—Scot McKnight, visiting professor, Houston Theological Seminary





“F. Scott Spencer has written a fun and fascinating book describing the Jesus of the Gospel of Luke as if he were running for public office. Strange as it sounds, it is in fact a genius way to show how Jesus was campaigning for God, God’s kingdom, and God’s people to live a new kind of story—not according to the cut-throat politics of the world, but based on the theme of love for God and love for neighbor. The book also puts into sharp relief the difference between Jesus and many other political campaigners of our day. An enlightening volume!”


—Michael F. Bird, deputy principal, Ridley College





“F. Scott Spencer masterfully walks his readers through Jesus’s life and ministry according to Luke’s Gospel. Along the way, Spencer distinguishes Jesus’s aims, approaches, and values from those of politicians in antiquity. The real genius of this book, however, lies in Spencer’s contrast between Jesus and contemporary politicians, who are commonly characterized by self-aggrandizement and grandiose promises. He exhorts Christians to assess whether their devotion to Jesus guides their participation in the American electoral process.”


—Andrew E. Arterbury, professor of Christian Scriptures, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University





“This book is for people who have committed to basing their ethical decisions (including voting) upon the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth as presented in Christian Scripture. Read this book by seasoned New Testament scholar Scott Spencer alongside the Gospel of Luke. By doing so, you will gain insight (and warning) about the dangers of submitting to authoritarian rulers who idolatrously divinize themselves, demand total allegiance, and crucify their opponents, whether Roman Emperors in the first century or tyranny-driven politicians of the twenty-first century.”


—Jaime Clark-Soles, professor of New Testament, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University





“Quite a few scholars have tried to turn the Bible against the wave of right-wing Christian authoritarianism. They don’t change anyone’s mind. But Scott Spencer has the imagination to do something different: to re-read the Jesus story as a campaign. Jesus’s story is kryptonite to Christian authoritarianism if we’ll just listen.”


—Greg Carey, professor of New Testament, Lancaster Theological Seminary





“F. Scott Spencer brings together an analysis of the American political landscape with an astute reading of the third gospel. Given his long history as a renowned biblical scholar and his significant publications, especially his Two Horizons commentary on Luke, Spencer is uniquely positioned to offer hope for today. The Easter story of the gospels finds its basis in hope, and despite frightening possibilities, this excellent book puts forth an insightful story of hope. Every Christ-follower should read it before voting.”


—Matthew Tennant, senior minister, University Baptist Church, Charlottesville, VA





“This is an amazing, insightful, and prophetic book, at once a commentary on the Gospel of Luke and a political manifesto on the continuing struggle for the freedom of democracy in the face of autocratic control. Through it all, Jesus becomes the Lukan guide, then and now.”


—Bill J. Leonard, founding dean and professor emeritus of divinity, Wake Forest University