Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals, by Shane Claiborne, Chris Haw and Friends is embarking on a virtual Blog Tour this spring! This summer we'll be embarking on a real tour of 22 cities, which you can learn more about below. In the meantime, we don't want to wait until the summer to spread the message of Jesus for President. So, we'd like to invite you to participate in our Blog Tour this spring.
What's a Blog Tour you ask? It's quite simple. Along with your own comments on your blog, you are invited to share portions of Jesus for President's message, videos, audio, visuals, widget, tours dates, and websites on your blog. We'll outline each of these below, and then give you more details on how your blog can participate in the Jesus for President Blog Tour at the bottom of this post. We will be watching all of the blogs participating in the Blog Tour. Shane, Chris and friends will occasionally pop in and visit blogs and leave a comment in the comments section of participating blogs.
Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals
by Shane Claiborne, Chris Haw And Friends
A different kind of campaign.
A different kind of party.
A different kind of Commander in Chief.
Amid all the buzz of politics and elections, Jesus for President is a refreshing reminder that our ultimate hope lies not in partisan political options but in the Jesus who gave his life for us. Politics for ordinary radicals who want to love the world into the kingdom of God.
Jesus for President is a radical manifesto to awaken the Christian political imagination, reminding us that our ultimate hope lies not in partisan political options but in Jesus and the incarnation of the peculiar politic of the church as a people “set apart” from this world. In what can be termed lyrical theology, Jesus for President poetically weaves together words and images to sing (rather than dictate) its message. It is a collaboration of Shane Claiborne’s writing and stories, Chris Haw’s reflections and research, and art and design.
Drawing upon the work of biblical theologians, the lessons of church history, and the examples of modern-day saints and ordinary radicals, Jesus for President stirs the imagination of what the Church could look like if it placed its faith in Jesus instead of Caesar.
A fresh look at Christianity and empire, Jesus for President transcends questions of “Should I vote or not?” and “Which candidate?” by thinking creatively about the fundamental issues of faith and allegiance. It’s written for those who seek to follow Jesus, rediscover the spirit of the early church, and incarnate the kingdom of God.
Three Degrees of Separation from Speaking of Faith on Vimeo.
Khakis, blue jeans, and dungarees graced the stage at this public event in San Diego. The generational differences between these three Evangelical leaders seemed obvious. But this lively conversation revealed a shared theology that guides these three men — Chuck Colson, Greg Boyd, and Shane Claiborne — as they interpret and live out their values in varying ways.
Here, as part of a Speaking of Faith production, Krista Tippett moderates this panel seminar at the 2008 National Pastors Convention.
Produced and edited by Trent Gilliss, Mitch Hanley, and Colleen Scheck.
What is your reaction to the discussion Chuck Colson, Greg Boyd, and Shane Claiborne have in this video? Please post up in the "Comments" section below.



Coming soon to cities across the empire…
JUNE 23 - GRAND RAPIDS
JUNE 24 - INDIANAPOLIS
JUNE 25 - CINCINNATI
JUNE 26 - PITTSBURGH
JUNE 27 - WASHINGTON DC
JUNE 28 - NEW YORK CITY
JUNE 29 - HARTFORD
JUNE 30 - TORONTO, CANADA
JULY 4 - CORNERSTONE FESTIVAL
JULY 7 - DENVER
JULY 11 - SAN FRANCISCO
JULY 12 - FRESNO
JULY 13 - LOS ANGELES
JULY 15 - ALBUQUERQUE
JULY 16 - LUBBOCK
JULY 17 - DALLAS
JULY 19 - ATLANTA
JULY 20 - ORLANDO
JULY 22 - RALEIGH/DURHAM
JULY 23 - RICHMOND
JULY 26 - PHILADELPHIA
All events begin at 7pm. Venues are posted here.
To participate in the Jesus for President Blog Tour, here are the steps:
1. Post up the subject "Jesus for President Blog Tour" and type away your comments about Jesus for President: Politics for Ordinary Radicals. If you've read the book or are reading it, please post up your review of the book.
2. In your blog posting you're encouraged to share the message, the videos, the audio, the visuals, the widget, the tours dates, and the websites on your blog - all of these can be found above. Need the embed code for the videos? You can get the codes here, here, and here.
3. In your blog posting, please do send link people to this blog posting, so that others can participate in the blog tour as well. Our permalink URL to send folks back to is: http://zondervan.typepad.com/zondervan/2008/03/jesus-for-pre-1.html
4. Come back to this page and leave the permalink URL to your Jesus for President Blog Tour posting in our Comments. This is how Shane, Chris, and friends will be able to visit your blog.
5. We can't promise this for every blog, but on occasion Shane, Chris, or friends will leave a comment in the comments section of your blog posting on the Jesus for President Blog Tour.
6. Any questions on this blog tour? Please post them up in the comments section below, and we'll answer them there. We figure others may have the same question you do, so we'll answer it for everyone.
7. Thank you for participating in the Jesus for President Blog Tour! Let the tour begin!
All the presenters had some good points and it was a relatively peaceful discussion (much needed in the evangelical arena!)
I feel like Greg Boyd and Shane Clairborne don't know Mr. Colson's story close enough to fully comprehend his position. He was doing this Christian in the public arena thing when they were still in diapers, and he was the closest aide to a head of state.
Mr. Colson seems to understand the sovereignty of God where Boyd and Clairborne seem to believe in limited sovereignty and feel the need to manipulate the culture on God's behalf. If God's sovereignty is limited, we're all toast!
Posted by: Teri | October 27, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Amen, count me in to vote for JESUS CHRIST of NAZERATH for PRESIDENT on NOVEMBER 4th 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!For desperate times takes desperate measures!!!
Posted by: tina | October 28, 2008 at 06:22 PM
let me see if i got this right your not for Obama or McCain ,,,is it just a coincidence that all the citys u toured but 2 voted for Obama seems unlikley . if it looks like a dove smells like a dove its proble a snake im sure u can read between the lines o if ya cant maybe this will help ya i dont buy it ,your meassge is a lie .prove me wrong . u might wont to stop by the focus on the family website and see how true Christians relate to politics.God bless p.s. Zondervan are things that bad that ur stooping to this much lost respect Gods mercy to us all....
Posted by: SCOTT | November 10, 2008 at 06:38 PM
let me see if i got this right your not for Obama or McCain ,,,is it just a coincidence that all the citys u toured but 2 voted for Obama seems unlikley . if it looks like a dove smells like a dove its proble a snake im sure u can read between the lines o if ya cant maybe this will help ya i dont buy it ,your meassge is a lie .prove me wrong . u might wont to stop by the focus on the family website and see how true Christians relate to politics.God bless p.s. Zondervan are things that bad that ur stooping to this much lost respect Gods mercy to us all....
Posted by: SCOTT | November 10, 2008 at 06:41 PM
The book was wonderfully done in both layout and message. The challenge is daunting, but with God nothing is impossible. Thank you!
In an effort to call out our soon to be president as a "man of peace," I wrote a letter the night before the election. I mentioned the possibility of setting up a website with this letter to a friend and he encouraged me to go for it. So, with a lot of help from some people more talented than myself here it is.
This is my way of trying to gain a new "prophetic imagination" for our generation and start to walk out a political alternative to the politics of the world. I must admit that I am pretty scared about what this might look like, but I think the reward is a way out this fear. Let's energize the Church and regain our visibility as the only real alternative! Let's take others on this journey.
Posted by: Andrew Schill | December 05, 2008 at 12:22 PM
http://www.dearpresidentelectobama.com
Posted by: Andrew Schill | December 05, 2008 at 12:23 PM
I am reading the book now and I have a couple questions.
1. Does Claiborne and Haw hold the same theological view of the resurrection of Christ as Dominic Crossan?
2. Does Claiborne and Haw fully answer the question about Hitler raised on pg.202 somewhere else other than the book?
Posted by: David A Hampton | December 09, 2008 at 10:08 AM
i hope this book is a joke, i really hope it is, its filled with blasphemy about political propaganda using christianity to sugar coat it.
Posted by: Craig Lustens | December 15, 2008 at 09:02 AM
I'm from Alberta Canada, over the last 5 years the Lord has taken over. Things are happening.... FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!! I dont know how I can help, Im not sure what Im lead to do but I'm totally drawn to this movement. I'm 25 years old and excited to see this generations revival, it's in the making and we're all a part. SOMEONE CONTACT ME IF THE LORD LEADS! jamiezago@hotmail.com what can I do?
Posted by: jamie zago | December 26, 2008 at 01:00 PM
My wife and I went to a christian community to seek God and a spiritual family ..we learned alot...but cohabiting in small quarters lead to difficulties for me and my wife...actual physical problems with hygene and Spiritual problems. We left the community and when you leave this community they quit talking with you .we still love the so many people at the community but they now hurting my wife so much with their......not talking to us.....my wife would love to hear from Good Christian women...her email is bethanygrieves@gmail.com
Posted by: phil grieves | February 22, 2009 at 05:57 AM
I loved Jesus For President! Shane said so much better than I ever could thing I've been trying to say for years!! I recently befriended an American soldier who served in Iraq. He became an alcoholic trying to deal with the devastating effect of war. He is now serving the Lord, staying sober and slowly healing. He said it was okay if I shared his poem and I thought everyone hear would appreciate his honesty as well as pray for him.
Decision
Fri 5:42am
Could it be that little girl or little boy
is it real or just a toy
Everyday is never the same
so our heads have to be in the game
the kids look like their having fun
Truth is their about to shoot and run
In Iraq its the kids that pull the trigger
who ever would have figured
we can’t look at the enemies age
even the young are sage
In your arms watching them die
Leaves you breathless, with not even a sigh
It’s all part of war
That’s why you have to be hardcore
They have the choice but made a mistake
Because it was our life or his to take
This road has been hard and long
But He is the one that did the wrong
This war has made my life a living Hell
Look into my life and you will be able to tell.
Tim Bragg
www.livingthecall.com
www.kellytyler.wordpress.com
Posted by: Kelly | March 23, 2009 at 09:09 AM
Hi, I've read your book, (ordinary radicals and Jesus for president) I really hope Jesus will change me so I can be a part of His way. Some things were a bit unclear in your books. But most of the time it was really opening my eyes. I wonder if you guys still believe in wonders like blind people that can see again and more like that.
Inspiring stuff!
Greetings from Daniel,the netherlands
Posted by: Daniel Beeke | June 04, 2009 at 06:31 PM
Hi, I just finished reading the book.
I was just wondering, why do you copyright? Obviously I understand Zondervan copyrighting stuff but why does The Simple Way do so as you mention in the Contributor Credits section? The exact wording:
"All other photos, textures, illustrations, and whatnots are either copyright (c) 2008 by SharpSeven Design or copyright (c) 2008 by The Simple Way."
Thanks. I look forward to greater understanding.
Posted by: Michael | June 13, 2009 at 06:43 AM
You seem to be evoking both very positive and negative comments in this section - it's very thought-provoking to read.
I wanted to thank you for writing the book and publishing it, despite your doubts about that. It's given me a lot of good ideas, ones that still need working out but that I'll definitely be using. One of the things I wrestle with at the moment was how a Christian community might look if it had to recast itself in a new mold. The book's given me some starting points, and motivated me to go read the New Testament again for more.
On violence, America and the empire, these things kept coming into my mind as I read the book:
1. It was always very funny, and slightly eerie, to sit as a foreigner in an American church and hear how tightly entwined nationalism and faith could be.
2. During our youth's RBY (Read the Bible in a Year), not Jesus' miracles struck me, because I'd already heard about them so often, but the many times he skipped meals or sleep because he truly cared about people. It put a whole new cast on his Passion at the end.
3. The lifestyle you propose is that of a missionary. During my parents' prep for being sent out, this is what they got to hear. In their American church, I should add. Only this book is for us Christians who remain at home, but desire to be salty anyway. Thanks for that!
Posted by: Arike | July 08, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Jesus for President?
I'll play that game...
...Where's his birth certificate?
Posted by: Aulvin | September 22, 2009 at 04:13 AM
Buildings are expensive and not every person is able to buy it. However, personal loans was invented to support people in such situations.
Posted by: MauraCain | March 10, 2010 at 10:56 PM
Greetings in Jesus! Real good read, research well done! Should have a longer list of resources/contact addresses...None of the things/issues talked about are new to us, but it is exciting to see that we are not the only crazy Jesus followers around! We have been doing many of the suggested practices for years: Making things, growing much of our own food,living on a very low income so we have never paid any taxes (and still don't feel "poor"!! Always manage to give to the really needy)etc. Also, we never considered the land (and house we built with our own hands)we "hold title to" as ours but as God's possession. We practice hospitality in Jesus' name, have finally finished a little guest cabin in the woods (our 1100 sq.ft.house was already tight with 5 people living here!), so if you know of anyone who needs to get away from it all for a time or someone who needs a simple shelter, you know where to send them...We could even go and get someone(relative to upstate New York)- less than 300 lbs,please, as our Geo Metro might otherwise break in half!---Only thing missing here is the fellowship, folks in this rural area are blinded by tradition of church and state.Will eventually move, but for the time being we are committed to taking care of some elderly ladies until they get promoted. All things done in His perfect time! His servants, hardy & katrine
Posted by: Hardy & Katrine Loeffler | June 04, 2010 at 09:19 AM
I've been waiting to hear someone say what Shane has said--and in the way he has said it--for a really long time.
(I'm posting the link to the blogtour on my blog.)
Thank you!!
Posted by: christian book publishers | August 30, 2010 at 02:10 PM
I have just finished reading this book which someone gave me last August. WOW! Up until I was 30, I was a Marxist. Then, at age 30, I became a follower of Jesus Christ. About four years after I became a Christian (until about 5 years ago) I was a Fundamentalist, and believe me, there wasn't much fun in it. Thankfully, I have a book that describes my faith as it is now. Thanks, man, et al.
Posted by: Thomas Corbett | May 13, 2011 at 12:48 PM