Overview

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.

Full Product Details

Author:   Tim Farron
Publisher:   Inter-Varsity Press
Imprint:   Inter-Varsity Press
ISBN:  

9781789744446

ISBN 10:   178974444
Pages:   208
Publication Date:   17 November 2022
Audience:   General/trade ,  College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  General ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

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

Reviews

Why should Christians engage in politics? Because Christ calls us to be salt of the earth, light of the world. Love of God and love of neighbour mean we are to get involved. Rooted in Scripture and prayer, this book brilliantly explains what that looks like in practice, how we can be compassionate without compromise in the fundamentals. It is part of a tradition that calls us to be 'the King's good servant, but God's first' (Thomas More). * Fr Mark Vickers, author of 'God in Number 10' * A frank, thought-provoking challenge to Christians to get involved with the world around them, whether through neighborhood projects or national politics. * Rob Hutton, Parliamentary Sketchwriter, Critic Magazine * This book offers a refreshingly honest, brave, insightful and reasoned account of Christian engagement in politics. It avoids being either naive or cynical. It draws on outstanding scholarship and provides practical wisdom. It not only argues that the gospel relates to all of life, including politics, but considers the challenges and opportunities of taking such a claim seriously. Politics is indeed a mucky business, and one in which we must play our part if we are serious about loving God and loving our neighbours as ourselves. * Paul Wooley, CEO, the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity * A fantastic read, A Mucky Business shows that social injustice should be on the heart of every Christian. Politics and the gospel are entwined in giving the world the good news of Jesus Christ. The different conversations in this book all speak the same language. Tim blends the text in such a way that the reader wants more. * Pastor Mick Fleming, leader of Church on the Street Ministries in Burnley, and author of Blown Away: From drug dealer to life bringer * Tim Farron is a hero of mine, and I'm so glad he's written this book that will help Christians pursue faithfulness in all of life, including politics! I trust this book will be a great encouragement to all who have grown weary of our politics, and I believe it will empower Christians to make a difference for good. * Michael Wear, author of Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America * Jesus didn't run away from the muck. He waded straight into it. But in the knowledge that he was doing what his Father was calling him to. If you've been trying to keep your feet clean by avoiding the muck of the public square (both online and offline), this is the book for you. It will help you get stuck in but also understand why and for whom you're suddenly knee-deep. * Andy Flannagan, Executive Director of Christians in Politics * Tim Farron's book is a timely antidote both to widespread apathy about involvement in social issues and frustration with the deceptions and intrigues of politicians. Here is an active politician who is honest about his Christian beliefs as well as his own failures and passions. Of course he is not the only one, as is clear from the many case studies. But in this book, he does more than simply offer models of people who have devoted themselves to the 'mucky business' of politics. He tackles common objections and concerns head on. He also provides practical paths for others to follow suit. In its quirky, self-deprecating way, this is a book to inspire and encourage, and if a large proportion of readers get involved as a result, that has to be a good thing! * Mark Meynell, former Whitehall chaplain, and author of A Wilderness of Mirrors: Trusting again in a Cynical World. * This book has its head in a theological vision for cultural engagement and its feet firmly planted in the mucky business of political life. Like Tim Farron himself, it is ebullient, principled, astute, and hopeful in all the right ways. * Glen Scrivener, Director and Evangelist at Speak Life, author of The Air We Breathe * There are few people better placed than Tim Farron to advise people of faith on the opportunities and perils of political engagement. Tim and his co-authors are realistic about what politics is, but also hopefully that there is good work to be done by Christians in the public square. This book doesn't offer political theory, but a biblically informed political practice. Any Christian who senses a call to the public life should read it. * Paul Bickley, Acting Head of Research, Theos *

Why should Christians engage in politics? Because Christ calls us to be salt of the earth, light of the world. Love of God and love of neighbour mean we are to get involved. Rooted in Scripture and prayer, this book brilliantly explains what that looks like in practice, how we can be compassionate without compromise in the fundamentals. It is part of a tradition that calls us to be 'the King's good servant, but God's first' (Thomas More). * Fr Mark Vickers, author of 'God in Number 10' * A frank, thought-provoking challenge to Christians to get involved with the world around them, whether through neighborhood projects or national politics. * Rob Hutton, Parliamentary Sketchwriter, Critic Magazine * This book offers a refreshingly honest, brave, insightful and reasoned account of Christian engagement in politics. It avoids being either naive or cynical. It draws on outstanding scholarship and provides practical wisdom. It not only argues that the gospel relates to all of life, including politics, but considers the challenges and opportunities of taking such a claim seriously. Politics is indeed a mucky business, and one in which we must play our part if we are serious about loving God and loving our neighbours as ourselves. * Paul Wooley, CEO, the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity * A fantastic read, A Mucky Business shows that social injustice should be on the heart of every Christian. Politics and the gospel are entwined in giving the world the good news of Jesus Christ. The different conversations in this book all speak the same language. Tim blends the text in such a way that the reader wants more. * Pastor Mick Fleming, leader of Church on the Street Ministries in Burnley, and author of Blown Away: From drug dealer to life bringer * Tim Farron is a hero of mine, and I'm so glad he's written this book that will help Christians pursue faithfulness in all of life, including politics! I trust this book will be a great encouragement to all who have grown weary of our politics, and I believe it will empower Christians to make a difference for good. * Michael Wear, author of Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America * Jesus didn't run away from the muck. He waded straight into it. But in the knowledge that he was doing what his Father was calling him to. If you've been trying to keep your feet clean by avoiding the muck of the public square (both online and offline), this is the book for you. It will help you get stuck in but also understand why and for whom you're suddenly knee-deep. * Andy Flannagan, Executive Director of Christians in Politics * Tim Farron's book is a timely antidote both to widespread apathy about involvement in social issues and frustration with the deceptions and intrigues of politicians. Here is an active politician who is honest about his Christian beliefs as well as his own failures and passions. Of course he is not the only one, as is clear from the many case studies. But in this book, he does more than simply offer models of people who have devoted themselves to the 'mucky business' of politics. He tackles common objections and concerns head on. He also provides practical paths for others to follow suit. In its quirky, self-deprecating way, this is a book to inspire and encourage, and if a large proportion of readers get involved as a result, that has to be a good thing! * Mark Meynell, former Whitehall chaplain, and author of A Wilderness of Mirrors: Trusting again in a Cynical World. * This book has its head in a theological vision for cultural engagement and its feet firmly planted in the mucky business of political life. Like Tim Farron himself, it is ebullient, principled, astute, and hopeful in all the right ways. * Glen Scrivener, Director and Evangelist at Speak Life, author of The Air We Breathe * There are few people better placed than Tim Farron to advise people of faith on the opportunities and perils of political engagement. Tim and his co-authors are realistic about what politics is, but also hopefully that there is good work to be done by Christians in the public square. This book doesn't offer political theory, but a biblically informed political practice. Any Christian who senses a call to the public life should read it. * Paul Bickley, Acting Head of Research, Theos * With charm, honesty and conviction, Tim Farron explores the tensions that are conventionally though to lie between Christian faith and the practice of politics, and demonstrates that there need be no tension at all. * Tom Holland, historian and author of Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind *

Author Information

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. Megan Hills started working for Tim after completing the CARE leadership programme in parliament. Having weathered the hectic Brexit votes, the madness of a general election and the seen in the start of a global pandemic, she finally hung up her hat and fled to Canterbury with her husband. She now works for Jersey Road PR, a PR agency who are seeking to reframe the perception of Christians in the media. She remains passionate about politics Tim-style - compassionate, committed and all about people!

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