God and Empire: Jesus Against Rome, Then and Now

The bestselling author and prominent New Testament scholar draws parallels between 1st–century Roman Empire and 21st–century United States, showing how the radical messages of Jesus and Paul can lead us to peace today

Using the tools of expert biblical scholarship and a keen eye for current events, bestselling author John Dominic Crossan deftly presents the tensions exhibited in the Bible between political power and God’s justice. Through the revolutionary messages of Jesus and Paul, Crossan reveals what the Bible has to say about land and economy, violence and retribution, justice and peace, and ultimately, redemption. He examines the meaning of “kingdom of God” prophesized by Jesus, and the equality recommended to Paul by his churches, contrasting these messages of peace against the misinterpreted apocalyptic vision from the book of Revelations, that has been co-opted by modern right-wing theologians and televangelists to justify the United State’s military actions in the Middle East.

At the heart of the Bible is a moral and ethical call to fight unjust superpowers, whether they are Babylon, Rome, or even America.

From the divine punishment and promise found in Genesis through the revolutionary messages of Jesus and Paul, John Dominic Crossan reveals what the Bible has to say about land and economy, violence and retribution, justice and peace, and, ultimately, redemption. In contrast to the oppressive Roman military occupation of the first century, he examines the meaning of the non-violent Kingdom of God prophesized by Jesus and the equality advocated by Paul to the early Christian churches. Crossan contrasts these messages of peace with the misinterpreted apocalyptic vision from the Book of Revelation, which has been misrepresented by modern right-wing theologians and televangelists to justify U.S. military actions in the Middle East.

In God and Empire Crossan surveys the Bible from Genesis to Apocalypse, or the Book of Revelation, and discovers a hopeful message that cannot be ignored in these turbulent times. The first-century Pax Romana, Crossan points out, was in fact a "peace" won through violent military action. Jesus preached a different kind of peace—a peace that surpasses all understanding—and a kingdom not of Caesar but of God.

The Romans executed Jesus because he preached this Kingdom of God, a kingdom based on peace and justice, over the empire of Rome, which ruled by violence and force. For Jesus and Paul, Crossan explains, peace cannot be won the Roman way, through military victory, but only through justice and fair and equal treatment of all people.

“John Dominic Crossan has achieved the status of a pivotal theological scholar of the rank of Augustine, Agnias, Luther, Calvin, Barth and Tillich. This book is incisive, original, and fascinating.” - John Shelby Spong, author of Jesus for the Non-Religious

“Whether one agrees or disagrees with John Dominic Crossan’s argument in ‘God and Empire,’ there is no disputing that he has raised essential questions provocatively and clearly. This is an important book, for it touches on themes that are, as St. Augustine said, ‘ever ancient, ever new’: the connection between religion and politics, between spiritual faith and temporal power, between our best and our worst instincts.” - Jon Meacham, author of American Gospel: God, the Founding Fathers and the Making of a Nation

“A wonderfully written and organized treatise... Thoroughly enjoyable and incredibly informative.” - Library Journal

“This book makes the best reading for the most readers of any that Crossan has written.” - Booklist (starred review)

“A dual tribute to intelligent faith and responsible citizenship, this book is as illuminating as it is timely.” - James Carroll, author of House of War: The Pentagon and the Disastrous Rise of American Power

“In this fine study of civilization, culture and transformation, Crossan asks important questions: have those who resort to violence as a means of change succeeded in their quest for empire? Or has nonviolence been more effective in bringing about lasting change? Crossan’s latest work presents a complex subject in a clear and powerful way, and it merits a wide readership.” - Publishers Weekly

“This fine study of civilization, culture and transformation presents a complex subject in a clear and powerful way.” - Publishers Weekly