In a world still shaped by empire and ideology, Jesus and the Powers is a call to rediscover the radical edge of the gospel in our political engagement. The gospel declares that Jesus is Lord — and Caesar is not. Wright and Bird invite the Church to resist the temptation to either withdraw from public life or to baptise worldly power in the name of Christ.

Instead, they urge a faithful, cross-shaped presence in society — one that respects authority where possible, but is never silent in the face of injustice or the misuse of power. They relate these themes to up-to-date issues in our world. The Church, they argue, is called to live in the creative tension between submission and subversion, bearing witness to the kingdom through love, justice, and hope.

This summary distils their compelling vision and offers it in accessible form for those who want a taste, a refresher, or a digest of this important and timely book.