The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life

The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renewal of Public Life Michael Wear

Weaving together memoir, theology, and social commentary, Michael Wear offers a challenging and hopeful vision for Christians seeking to live faithfully in a polarized world. Drawing on his own experiences as a White House staffer, faith leader, and political strategist, Wear argues that the key to renewing our democracy is not simply electing better leaders or passing better laws, but in forming better citizens—people whose hearts and minds are shaped by the love of God and neighbor.

Wear begins by exploring the spiritual roots of our political divisions. He argues that our current political climate is not simply the result of partisan gridlock or ideological differences, but of a deeper spiritual crisis. We have lost sight of the common good and have become increasingly divided into tribes that are more interested in winning than in finding common ground.

Wear then offers a vision for how we can overcome this crisis. He argues that we need to recover the spirit of our politics—the sense that we are all part of something larger than ourselves and that we have a responsibility to work together for the common good. This will require us to undergo a process of spiritual formation—a process of growing in our understanding of God's love and our call to love our neighbors.

Wear concludes by offering practical advice for how Christians can live out this vision in their own lives. He encourages us to engage in politics with humility, to listen to those who disagree with us, and to work for the common good. He also encourages us to pray for our leaders and for our nation.

The Spirit of Our Politics is a timely and important book that offers a challenging and hopeful vision for Christians seeking to live faithfully in a polarized world. Wear's insights are rooted in his own experiences and are offered with humility and grace. This book is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about the state of our politics and who is looking for ways to make a difference.