Exiles

The Church in the Shadow of Empire

De: Preston Sprinkle

Narrado por: Preston Sprinkle

A thoughtful exploration of the intersection of faith and politics, Exiles asks: What if we considered ourselves “exiles in Babylon” and turned to Scripture, not political parties, to shape our most passionate values?

Politics are dividing our churches like never before. New York Times-bestselling author Dr. Preston M. Sprinkle reminds us that the first-century church was not an apolitical gathering, where Christians left their Roman politics at the door. It also wasn’t a place where Christians mounted a Roman flag next to—or above—a Christian one. Church was a place where God’s plan for governing the world was revealed, where one could witness what it means to follow the Creator’s design for human flourishing.

In this timely book, Preston explores why:

• Israel’s exile to Babylon profoundly shaped the political identity of God’s people—and still does today.
• Christians should see themselves as foreigners in the country where they live.
• The gospel of Jesus’ kingdom was politically subversive.
• The church today should view its political identity as fundamentally separate from the empire.

Total allegiance to a political party dilutes the church’s witness. Discover a more biblical, powerful way to live in a secular world. Discover what it means to live in exile.

©2024 Preston Sprinkle (P)2024 One Audiobooks

Really made me think

Not matter were your stand as a Christian this book will make you stop and think. Definitely gave me a new perspective I haven’t considered when it comes to engaging with the secular world

Strong Finish; Biblical

I wasn’t sure where this would land, but it was refreshingly neutral. Great work, PS!

A clear, much needed, and challenging look at what it means to be a Christian within the walls of the empire.

Preston did a fantastic job clearly giving us an overview of a Christian’s perspective in the shadow of Babylon. He took us through scripture and history to paint a beautiful picture of what Jesus’ view of the world around us should be. This book was brief but powerful and I would highly recommend it to any believer trying to navigate their Christian faith journey. It is thought provoking, challenging at times, and always pushes a person to look at their identity in Christ first and foremost. Great read/listen.

Exactly what the church needs to hear!

This was an excellent explanation of what it means to follow Jesus in the midst of political idols who are vying for affection and allegiance. Preston explains well how we should love our nation without giving it our loyalty.

Are you living as an Exile?

This book was very thought-provoking. Especially in this election year it is good to hear someone put the pets preeminence of God and his written scripture above all else. The current political rhetoric that goes around that is swaying so many Christians to do things that Jesus would never do Astonishing.

Timely and succinct.

Sprinkle does a great job of contrasting the upside down kingdom shown in the Book of Deuteronomy to the Babylons throughout history and today. We may live in the kindest, gentlest Babylon in history; but it is Babylon, nonetheless.

Great applicable teaching!

I've been listening to Preston's podcast Theology in the Raw for over a year, so I've been interested in this book for some time. Many of his ideas in this book are expressed in some degree on his show, so there wasn't anything surprising in terms of views or content with that context. I was very grateful for the concise scriptural teaching to focus on our role as believers to be the hands of feet of Christ as a 'polis' in the church, rather than as agents of a government foreign to Christ's kingship. Much to think about in this political season in the US, and my prayeris that believers from every point in the political spectrum will remember their first allegiance is to Christ, and their first identity is as His body when engaging in politics.

excellent

did a good job keeping Jesus first and giving us perspective of the language of biblical times.

Here’s the biblical perspective on politics for Christians laid out in a simple way

This book really made me think about how I, as a follower of Jesus Christ, as well as the Church should live in today’s society and its politics of empire. Purely based on scripture and history, the author lays out a simple and biblically documented path to following Jesus well, being the light of the world, and serving in the place where God has placed us, rather than letting the politics of the empire of the enemy, infiltrate and divide us as a body of Christ.

Pertinent topic to American Christianity today

This is a pertinent topic to issues surrounding American Christianity today, but the book could’ve been served by a much better narrator, not the author. And I felt that some of the research could have been deeper and the biblical references more comprehensive with the gravity of this type of topic.as an overall brief survey, it’s OK.