The Liturgy of Politics

Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor

By: Kaitlyn Schiess

Narrated by: Lisa Larsen

Length: 7 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

A generation of young Christians are weary of the political legacy they've inherited and are hungry for a better approach. They're tired of seeing their faith tied to political battles they didn't start, and they're frustrated with leaders they thought they could trust. Kaitlyn Schiess grew up in this landscape and understands it from the inside.

In The Liturgy of Politics, Schiess shows that the church's politics are shaped by its habits and practices, even when it's unaware of them. Spiritual formation, and particularly a focus on formative practices, are experiencing a renaissance in Christian thinking - but these ideas are not often applied to the political sphere. Schiess insists that the way out of our political morass is first to recognize the formative power of the political forces all around us and then to recover historic Christian practices that shape us according to the truth of the gospel.

©2020 Kaitlyn Schiess (P)2020 eChristian

Politics and spiritual formation

My favorite definition of spiritual formation is from M. Robert Mulholland Jr, “Spiritual formation is a process of being formed in the image of Christ for the sake of others.” Kaitlyn Scheiss’ subtitle orients this book to think about spiritual formation in politics similarly. One of the most common complaints about “Evangelical” is that it has become a political descriptor instead of a theological one. Scheiss is also concerned about how Evangelical as a term has become oriented around politics, but her approach in this book is contrary to some who are also concerned about the overtaking of the church with politics. She believes that our problem is not overthinking about politics in the church but too little about politics.

Cornel West’s well-known quote, “Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public,” is related to how Scheiss is connecting politics to Christianity,

“In one way or another, almost any political or moral issue is about the honor and protection of human beings. In reality, every piece of legislation is trying to legislate morality. Every policy issue is based on moral principles and has moral implications.”

There is much in The Liturgy of Politics that references other books I have read on spiritual formation. James KA Smith’s work on cultural liturgies is hinted at in the title. Alexander Schmemann’s “For the Life of the World,” a phrase which has also been used widely by Miroslav Volf and others, is a chapter title. NT Wright’s thinking on eschatology is also crucial in LItergy of Politics in orienting the reader away from inappropriate rejection of the importance of our work in this world. There is much here that I recognized from previous reading. Still, Kaitlyn Scheiss is rooting her work in political thought for the church in theological and spiritual formation thinking, not altering her theology based on her politics.

The two aspects of the book that I most appreciate are its orientation toward thinking about how spiritual practices, which we may do for other reasons, can, when we think of them in regard to politics, also help form us to love others well politically. And I appreciate how she has worked through our theological and historical blindspots within evangelicalism that has made us susceptible to the abuse of power and politics.

The Liturgy of Politics is not a book about specific political policy but about how to broadly think about and act on our politics in an appropriately Christian way. She does not assume that everyone will come to a single political position but that we can still trace through our political thinking even as we come to different policy positions while having similar theological convictions. This book would make an excellent small group discussion book and likely will be made better by discussion because we all have political and theological blindspots. Reading a book like this by ourselves can sometimes allow us to confirm our biases assuming that Scheiss would naturally agree with our preconceived positions. But the discussion with others can allow us to see other positions that we may not have readily seen for ourselves.

A must read for the church today

Highly recommend this book to people who consider themselves followers of Christ and are seeking to better understand their role in society and politics today. It can be a cop out to use faith as a reason not to engage in politics at all. On the other hand some evangelical Christians have fallen into the easy trap of idolizing a particular party because of one or two issues deemed the most despicable. Both common pitfalls are dangerous and damaging to the church. They can also result in policies and beliefs completely contrary to Christ’s admonitions for the church. This book eloquently addresses these issues and many more. It is a deep read and requires time and thought to process through the ideas expressed. A warning for some who hold very strong ties to a particular party, read this book with an open mind and be humble in recognizing that your view may not be 100% correct. And pray that God will convict you of ways you can further love him and love others and bring him glory.

Revealing, timely & convicting - a must-read for all thoughtful Christians in America today!

So grateful for this book, it’s timeliness and Kaitlyn Schiess’ insights. I hope every thoughtful evangelical in America will read this.

A message to the believer

In this book, Kaitlyn did an amazing job at helping me to understand other Christians around me. After listening to this book, I realize the origin of why some believers act and think the way they do. I very much appreciate her book and I look forward to future works by her.

This book is a must for every believer!

Western Christian’s- worth your time

A bit hard to follow at times because it jumps around in its many faceted approach to this timely issue. I am a huge fan of the author as I have heard her speak off the cuff many times. this should have been put into about 3 books to sharpen the points. Narrator is dull. All western Christian’s should read or listen though.

a convicting and beautiful vision

I'm going to recommend this book to several of my family members, hoping it will start conversations. it also made me pause to think a lot about where I have been in my spiritual journey the past few years. I haven't wanted to go back to church at all because I've been so disillusioned. but this made me realize how important it could be to be part of a spiritual community again, and how it just might be one of the most political decisions I can make.

Completely non partisan guidance

This book offers a fresh perspective on how we, as. Christians, should think about our role in the world. It has some convicting words for everyone; don’t read this if you want to reinforce your favorite preconceptions about your tribe being right.

Attention Evangelicals

This is a must-read for all self-proclaiming evangelicals. This will show you some blind spots, educate you, and encourage you to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called.” Schiess is on par with Nancy Pearcy on this one.

Very interesting, and convicting, bland narration

I couldn't tell if the voice was human or AI.
I'll have to listen again, as my mind would wander and miss parts.

A Profound Book for Our Time

Kaitlyn gives voices to many the hopes, fears, and convictions I have had in the midst of this political awakening. It took the church and Christianity far too long to ask these much needed questions and recognize the reality that everything is political. I highly recommend this book for anything who wrestles with the relationship between church and state and the role of faith in politics.