Citizenship Without Illusions, David T. Koyzis. IVP Academic (ISBN: 9781514008621) 2024.

Summary: How Christians may engage politically without giving idolatrous devotion to parties or ideologies.

For years I’ve found myself in this place. I recognize that we need good governance from the officials we elect. But I cannot fully endorse what either of our parties propound nor give unquestioning allegiance to person or party. What is difficult is that I have friends on both sides of the partisan divide who seem to give unflinching allegiance to their party and the people they have elected or want to elect. Often, I find conversations with such individuals futile. There is no questioning allowed and only one side is right on everything. It is particularly disconcerting when my friends resort to lies and character assassination to buttress their political allegiance. I grope for a different kind of political engagement or want to just withdraw.

Citizenship Without Illusions is written for people like me. In his introductory chapter, David T. Koyzis identifies the illusion of political idolatries yet refuses the route of disengagement. He believes we are called to active citizenship as Christians in society. But first, he focuses on the nature of citizenship. Koyzis argues that political rule has always existed but not citizenship. Citizenship arises with the idea of “the state as a public legal community of people led by a government.”

Koyzis then turns in Chapter 3 to a delineation of the responsibilities of citizenship. He maintains that citizens are part of a community whose first task is to do justice in all areas of public life. This includes obedience to the rule of law, including the payment of taxes, staying informed, thinking locally, where all politics begins, and answering the call of service, including both jury and military service. Koyzis explores the challenges of living out the call to citizenship when the opportunities for participation are limited. But sometimes the requirements of citizenship and Christian faithfulness may collide. Chapter 4 explores these conflicts, including the possibility of civil disobedience and what principles ought inform us should we choose this route.

Voting is an expression of our citizenship but what does one do when none of the alternatives are good? Koyzis talks about different systems and shows a preference for proportional representation rather than single member plurality, where only the winning votes are represented. But sometimes the only way to pursue change is through political mobilization. Chapter 6 introduces political mobilization and points to models like Voice of Calvary Ministries.

But what about our political divides? Chapter 7 analyzes our political divides and advocates for a kind of principled pluralism. Then Chapter 8 turns to our global context and explores the tension between our citizenship and love for our global neighbors and God’s world. Finally, Chapter 9 concludes with a focus on the importance of prayer and the place of the church in shaping us. He advocates for the church to be the church, and not aligned to any particular political ideology.

Koyzis offers a model of political engagement that is an alternative to becoming a devotee of a political cult. He articulates for churches being the church. His analysis of voting raises a question many struggle with–why vote in situations where a vote doesn’t matter? Proportional representation would require constitutional changes. This is not an easy fix. I particularly appreciate his focus on the local as well as his recommendations for political mobilization. There are some things we can’t change alone. I did wonder whether the author might have written any of this differently after January 2025. His section on citizenship under less than ideal circumstances may be more relevant than ever.

In all, Koyzis offers a clear-eyed guide for redemptive political engagement rooted in a commitment for public justice for all. It’s not the route to power but the long road of service. It’s just being a citizen.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.