Empowered Witness: Politics, Culture, and the Spiritual Mission of the Church

“The psalmist’s question ‘How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land?’ (Ps. 137:4) continues to haunt many Christians today. But—both in content and emotional energy—the answers given vary widely. Where, then, is wisdom to be found? In Empowered Witness, Alan Strange offers us a much-needed combination of historical learning, biblical thinking, and deep love for the church. Rather than browbeat us into sharing prejudices, Empowered Witness serves us by helping us think. In expressing the ‘reasonableness’ Scripture enjoins (Phil. 4:5), Strange provides a model for us all.”

“Excellent history schools us in wisdom and truth, and Empowered Witness is no exception to this rule. Alan Strange skillfully examines the oft-misunderstood but biblical, true doctrine of the spirituality of the church. This book is required reading for anyone who wants to engage the world and at the same time preserve the church’s gospel mission.”

“The fruit of deep reflection over many years, this book by Alan Strange offers the wisdom we need now more than ever. Christ is building his church—his way—and Empowered Witness points us in the right direction.”

“If the church fails to clearly address the revolutionary cultural and social changes in today’s world, it will be a dereliction of duty, but if it identifies itself with any factions in that world, the piercing message of the gospel will be blunted. Alan Strange discusses these topics with great skill and insight, using his encyclopedic knowledge of Charles Hodge’s contribution to debates on slavery and the spirituality of the church. This is a book that should inform and shape our thinking; it is not to be missed.”

“As indispensable as Charles Hodge is for the history of American Presbyterianism, Alan Strange contends that Hodge is crucial for its future as well. Hodge steadfastly upheld the church’s spiritual vocation in his day—despite criticism from the South and the North in times of both peace and war. Strange, with dispassionate sense and impassioned urgency, calls us to follow Hodge’s example in our day and remain steadfast to the church’s divine calling, lest we deprive the world of consolation that the church alone can provide.”

“The spirituality of the church is a crucial doctrine and a rather simple idea, even if it is sometimes challenging to apply. Yet the church can so easily lose sight of this doctrine or simply reject it, especially in times of high political tension. Alan Strange’s clear and charitable appeal for the ‘mere spirituality of the church’ is thus timely and welcome. Contemporary readers would do well to ponder Charles Hodge’s wise reflections in the midst of his own politically charged context, and Strange is an excellent guide.”

“The debate over American slavery and the ensuing Civil War may not seem the best context for revisiting the doctrine of the spirituality of the church, but Alan Strange looks carefully at the teaching of Charles Hodge that was refined and nuanced in his debates with Southern Presbyterians and other competing versions of the doctrine. Though Hodge did not win the day, he points to how the church can speak into the pervasive politicization of our age. Strange’s commendation of a ‘mere spirituality’ is indeed no diminution of the church’s voice but rather the more excellent way of an ‘empowered witness’ to a divided and confused culture.”

“What should be the role of the church in the affairs of the state, particularly its political process? Alan Strange addresses this much-mooted question primarily through an in-depth treatment—largely sympathetic yet also critical—of Charles Hodge’s wrestling for the answer. Following Hodge, Strange offers his own balanced understanding of the spirituality of the church as an institution. His insights will be helpful for Christians today faced with the same difficult question. A valuable read.”