Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk

Pastor’s Bookshelf - Welcome to my bookshelf! Each month I will discuss a recent book that I’ve finished. *disclaimer; I don’t always have time to sit and read physical books, but I do quite a bit of my reading through audiobooks these days.*

This month I’d like to talk about Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk

By: Eugene Cho

This book was a quick read that I picked up in the aftermath of the 2020 election. For many folks, on every side of the aisle, politics is possibly the most contentious and aggressive part of their life. Never do we fight more passionately and more often than when the topic of politics comes up. And so, in response – a lot of people have written off the topic completely. Just don’t talk about politics. Avoid the issue completely. I’ll admit – this was my policy more often than not. But if we don’t talk about politics, we find ourselves unprepared when an election season forces the issue upon us. But how do we engage with politics as Christians in a broken world where both political parties give us significant reasons for disappointment?

Eugene Cho was pastor of Quest Church in Seattle Washington for 18 years. During that time, he and his wife started a non-profit called One Day’s Wages. He is a theologically conservative person living in one of the most progressive and left-leaning cities in America. In his ministry he has often been criticized because he does not come down on one side of the political spectrum. He walks the faithful line with authenticity.

To be honest, it was a hard book to read – and I didn’t like all of it. I was challenged on the way I behave, the way I apply my faith to my life, and I was even challenged on the structure and nature of my prayer life. As the overview states, in “Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk” Eugene “encourages readers to remember that hope arrived – not in a politician, system or great nation – but in the person of Jesus Christ.” I recommend this book for those who want to be challenged on the blending of faith and politics.