Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire (Book 2)

Preston Sprinkle examines how Israel’s exile to Babylon, Jesus’ mission on earth, and the teachings of Paul all shaped the church’s relationship with politics and can inform our own today.

In recent years, politics have divided families, friendships, and churches in shocking ways. What if, instead of identifying as Republican or Democrat, we embraced our role as “exiles in Babylon” and looked to Scripture—not political parties—to shape our core values?

As Preston Sprinkle shows in Exiles, the first-century church was neither an apolitical gathering, where Roman politics were checked at the door, nor a place where Christians displayed Roman loyalty over their allegiance to Christ. Church was meant to be a family, a gathering that revealed God’s vision for governance, where one could see His perspective on economics, immigration, justice, sexuality, and human flourishing.

In this timely book, Preston explores why:

• Prophetic witness—rather than isolation or transformation—is the best approach to church and state.
• A Christian’s allegiance to Christ’s global, multi-ethnic kingdom triumphs over national identity.
• Israel’s exile to Babylon profoundly shaped their political identity.
• The Roman Empire was central to Jesus’ mission.
• Revelation can shape our understanding of political resistance.

Total allegiance to a political party is toxic. It dilutes the church’s witness, damages relationships, and weakens faith. Discover a biblical, powerful way to live in a secular world. Discover what it means to live in exile.