Navigating Power and Leadership: A Christian Perspective on Today’s Challenges
Reflecting on Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies by N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird[1] feels especially relevant today, given the global challenges we face. Wright and Bird’s exploration of how Christians should navigate the political and social upheaval of our time is both sobering and inspiring. They remind us that, in a world where empires rise and fall, our true allegiance is to the Kingdom of God—a kingdom that stands in stark contrast to the powers that dominate our world.
The book’s central message—that Jesus is King and His kingdom is the Church’s guiding light—resonates deeply, especially when we consider the complexities of leadership today. J.R. Woodward’s The Scandal of Leadership[2] challenges us to rethink how we approach leadership within the Church and society at large. Woodward argues that true leadership often conflicts with worldly systems of power, a theme Wright and Bird echo. They suggest that Christians are not called to withdraw from the world or to dominate it through force but to engage it with the transformative power of the Gospel. In this, leadership becomes less about wielding power and more about serving others, reflecting the servant leadership that Jesus Himself modeled.
This idea of leadership and power takes on additional weight when we consider the moral dilemmas surrounding war and violence, as discussed in Marc LiVecche’s The Good Kill[3]. LiVecche wrestles with the ethics of taking life in the pursuit of justice and peace, a tension Wright and Bird also touch on when they discuss the Christian’s role in confronting evil. They challenge us to consider how we can be agents of God’s justice in a world that often seems to demand forceful intervention. Yet, they remind us that any exercise of power must be tempered with humility and a deep commitment to the values of God’s kingdom.
Moreover, as we engage with the political and social issues of our time, it’s crucial to recognize the unconscious biases that shape our perspectives. Pragya Agarwal’s Sway: Unraveling Unconscious Bias[4] provides a compelling examination of how our biases influence decision-making and interactions. Wright and Bird’s call to a nuanced and faithful Christian witness in the public sphere requires us to be aware of these biases, particularly in how we engage with those who are different from us. The Kingdom of God, as they describe it, is a place where all are welcomed and valued, regardless of their background or identity.
Malik K.’s Not So Black and White: A History of Race from White Supremacy to Identity Politics[5] offers a historical perspective on how race and identity have been constructed and weaponized in the pursuit of power. Wright and Bird’s discussion of how the Church should respond to contemporary issues of race and identity politics is informed by a similar understanding that the Gospel transcends these divisions. They challenge us to seek justice and reconciliation in ways that reflect the inclusive and restorative nature of God’s kingdom.
Finally, Joseph Bentley and Michael Toth’s Exploring Wicked Problems: What They Are and Why They Are Important[6] provides a framework for understanding the complex and interconnected challenges we face today. The problems Wright and Bird address—totalitarianism, dysfunctional democracies, and the Church’s role in such a world—are indeed wicked problems, resistant to easy solutions and demanding thoughtful, prayerful engagement. The authors of Jesus and the Powers offer us a vision of how the Church can navigate these challenges, not by retreating into isolation or capitulating to the powers of the age but by faithfully embodying the values of God’s kingdom in every sphere of life.
In reflecting on Jesus and the Powers alongside these other works, it becomes clear that the call to Christian political witness is both demanding and deeply hopeful. It asks us to engage with the world’s most pressing issues with a heart attuned to God’s justice and mercy, recognizing that our ultimate hope lies not in the shifting sands of political power but in the unshakeable foundation of Christ’s kingdom. This book, along with the insights from Woodward, LiVecche, Agarwal, Malik, Bentley, and Toth, offers a guide for navigating the tumultuous waters of our time with courage, wisdom, and grace.
[1] Wright, N.T., and Michael F. Bird. Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2024
[2] Woodward, J.R. The Scandal of Leadership: Unmasking the Powers of Domination in the Church. Gailand A Woodward Jr, 2023
[3] LiVecche, Marc. The Good Kill: Just War and Moral Injury. Washington, DC: Oxford University Press, 2021
[4] Agarwal, Pragya. Sway: Unraveling Unconscious Bias. London: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020
[5] Malik, Kehinde. Not So Black and White: A History of Race from White Supremacy to Identity Politics. London: Hurst Publishers, 2021
[6] Bentley, Joseph, and Michael Toth. Exploring Wicked Problems: What They Are and Why They Are Important. New York: Routledge, 2021
About the Author
Mathieu Yuill
While raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens may be a few of Julia Andrews' favourite things, here are a few of mine: Talking to strangers, Learning about what you do for fun, Conversation over coffee. I own a marketing and communications company in Toronto, Canada called Leading With Nice. There are a lot of names I could have given the company but a trusted friend encouraged me to name it that because I really value the humanness in us all. Bah - this is starting to sound like a horrible LinkedIn post. So whatever, let's have coffee. I'd love to hear about what you do for fun!7 responses to “Navigating Power and Leadership: A Christian Perspective on Today’s Challenges”
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Mathieu, great syntopical post!
I read Scott Dickie’s post right before I read yours. Like you, Scott mentioned Woodward’s work. Scott believes Woodward “would likely have some interesting pushback or tweaks” to what Wright and Bird actually wrote about concerning the powers. Woodward said that the Powers “manifest through social realities that actively warp God’s intentions for the world.” (Woodward, The Scandal of Leadership, Kindle Version, 38 of 608) I do wonder if more could be said from a practical standpoint when it comes to how Christians can address these Powers (Woodward refers to them with a capital “P”) in the public sphere, if Wright and Bird were to rewrite their book. One author/book you did not mention in your syntopical post was Petrusek’s Evangelization and Ideology. I would be curious to hear how you think Wright and Bird compared and contrasted to Petrusek’s tone.
Well done!
Hi Matthew,
I really enjoyed how you brought in the other relevant authors. I enjoyed seeing Dr. LiVecche’s name in there. He recently stayed at my house with his son and they climbed a 14,000 footer.
Anyway, I was looking at the Providence Magazine (where he is the Executive Editor). They write about themselves…Founded in 2015, Providence examines global statecraft with Christian Realism. We are inspired by Christianity & Crisis, the journal Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr founded in 1941 to argue for the moral and geopolitical imperative of American leadership against totalitarian aggression. We believe American Christians have a special duty to interpret America’s vocation in the world today. We seek to uplift the best of historic Christian political theology, to foster wider conversation about spirituality in politics, and to create a community of serious Christian public thinkers serving America and the world.
I sense a commonality here with Wright/Bird and LiVecche.
Thanks for a great post.
Shalom…
Great job weaving this book in with so many others we’ve read. The one I wish we all had more time to explore together as a cohort is Malik’s and how Wright and Bird might interact with his ideas.
Man you syntopicaled the heck out of this post.
Great, insightful analysis.
Thanks for making my brain hurt (in a good way)
Hey Sir Mathieu, thank you for your insightful post. I have one question. You wrote, “They suggest that Christians are not called to withdraw from the world or to dominate it through force but to engage it with the transformative power of the Gospel.” Can you tell me one example how your business is transforming your “community” with the power of the gospel?
Great post Mathieu! I have a feeling that I will want to connect Wicked Problems to a lot of the readings from this semester.
You said “the call to Christian political witness is both demanding and deeply hopeful”. Can you tell me what is hopeful for you?
Matthiu, I am so dang impressed with your synopticism (is that a word?). I certainly did not make all those connections to our readings. Thank you for helping me remember what books we’ve read and how they connect to this important topic!