Many Christians are nervous about politics – isn’t the political world murky and sleazy, a den of deceit and backstairs deals? At the same time, the image of Christians in politics isn’t great either – often seen as judgemental hypocrites, intolerant and hateful control freaks… shouldn’t this mean that faith and politics should be kept firmly apart?
In A Mucky Business, Tim Farron, former Leader of the Liberal Democrats Party and friends, explore and defend why Christianity and politics should and must work together. If Christians are to love their neighbours, they need to engage with the issues that affect everyone. Why should Christians leave their beliefs at the door when they enter public life? No one else does!
Tim Farron shares his experience as the UK’s best known Christian MP and draws on case studies from across the political spectrum. Many of these case studies come from his successful A Mucky Business podcast. Demonstrating that it’s possible to be both a Christian and to step into the political world with confidence.
A Mucky Business will both inspired and better equip christians to care about politics, pray knowledgeably, and engage with politics effectively.
Tabela de Conteúdo
About the authors ix
Acknowledgments xi
Introduction: Tim Farron MP xiii
Part 1 WHY CHRISTIANS STEER CLEAR OF POLITICS
1 Because we are scared 3
2 Because we believe things aren’t what they used to be 17
3 Because we don’t speak the language 26
Part 2 WHY CHRISTIANS SHOULD ENGAGE WITH POLITICS
4 Because the Bible is bigger than politics 43
5 Because we are more radical than we think 54
6 Because we need to show up and sit at the table 65
7 Because God’s kingdom is physical as well as spiritual 76
8 Because Jesus didn’t turn away but broke his heart for us 88
9 Because faith is not private and Christians have always engaged 98
Part 3 HOW CHRISTIANS COULD ENGAGE WITH POLITICS
10 By paying attention and praying 115
11 By being the one who shows up 133
12 By daring to pick a side 145
13 By loving our neighbour and standing firm 158
14 By keeping the eternal perspective in mind 167
Conclusion: Don’t panic but don’t duck out 176
Appendix A Why ‘liberalism’ should not be a dirty word 180
Appendix B Who’s who: the nuts and bolts of the people serving in politics 189
Abbreviations 192
Sobre o autor
Born in Preston, Lancashire in 1970, Tim Farron was elected Member of Parliament for Westmorland and Lonsdale in 2005. He rose to become President of the Liberal Democrats during the Party’s time in coalition government. Succeeding Nick Clegg as Party Leader in 2015 he led the Party through the 2016 EU referendum and the 2017 snap general election. He lives on the edge of the Lake District with his wife Rosie and his children Izzie, Gracie, Jude and Laurie. He is a fourth rate fell-runner, a long-suffering Blackburn Rovers supporter and a pop music anorak.