JESUS, WHAT DO YOU WANT?

Jesus' Kingdom Values in Politics and Economics             Rev. Jamie Kaufman  M.Div.


In this book I start with the conviction that Jesus is my authority in scripture and life.  I start with the assertion that I cannot only embrace Jesus as Savior and ignore Him as Lord of my life if I want to be His follower.  I submit that we are commanded to live Agape Love in Jesus' Kingdom, and that we should take seriously any and all imperative statements of Jesus, parables of Jesus and examples of Jesus when considering how Jesus wants us to live within the Kingdom.  In order to live according to Kingdom values, we must repent of any attitudes, beliefs and behaviors that run contrary to Jesus' teachings and examples, at least if we want to be Jesus' followers.

The first chapter establishes AGAPE LOVE as the Standard for how Kingdom values are to be lived in THIS part of the Kingdom of God.  Agape Love is defined throughout the chapter through passages from the Gospels.  As the basis for all other forms of love and relationships, it is transformative when lived in the world.  It is at the center of what Jesus wants for all God's children.

The next chapter addresses the poor and vulnerable in the world and our society from the Gospel teachings of Jesus, especially regarding how the Kingdom Values in Agape Love direct us to live with the poor and vulnerable in loving ways.  Using Gospel passages on this topic, the reader gets from our best recorded record of Jesus' teachings and examples what Jesus wants regarding our attitudes and behavior with the poor and vulnerable.

The next chapter systematically addresses Jesus' teachings and examples in the Gospels regarding wealth/economic values in the Kingdom.  Rejecting the notion that matters of money are "nothing personal, just business", the application of Agape Love Kingdom values are brought to bear on how we look at wealth and live regarding it, according to Jesus' imperatives and parables.

The next chapter unpacks power/political issues from an Agape Love standard in Kingdom Values.  Power, prestige, authority and position are addressed by Jesus in the Gospels, and this chapter explores Jesus' teachings and example on how power is to be used and how it is not to be used according to Kingdom Values.

Humility/authentic Kingdom relationship values is the topic of the next chapter.  Jesus taught a great deal about Agape Love being shared in humility, and exemplified what it is to be great and still humble in the world, teaching those around Him to do the same and thereby live Kingdom values.  Hubris is not loving by nature, and from the Gospels we learn that Jesus wants humility to be our loving way.

Community Values in the Kingdom is the topic of the last chapter.  Jesus taught and healed individuals, but also built community in faith and Agape Love.  Considering the good of the whole community and not only one's own interests is a common theme throughout the Gospels in Jesus' teachings and examples, and was carried on as a central theme by Paul and others in the First Century Church.  We cannot follow Jesus AND only be concerned for self.  Jesus wants the building up of community in Agape Love.

The Conclusion summarizes the direction of the teachings and examples of Jesus in these areas, and compels the reader to go to the source of Jesus' teachings and example as we have them in order to answer the question of what Jesus wants from each of us and all of us today in how we look at issues in society, act on them and even engage in the democratic process with Agape Love and Jesus' teachings and example at the center of what we do in it.

Please pray that a publisher will choose to publish it, and that it will be a blessing to any who seek to follow Jesus' teachings and examples in their lives in THIS part of God's Kingdom.

Thanks!
Pastor Jamiepropheticvc@hotmail.com