Reckoning with Power - by David E Fitch (Paperback)

About the Book

This book provides a theology of power through the lens of the triumphs and failures of the church, showing that whenever the church has aligned itself with worldly power, it has been on the wrong side of crucial justice issues. But when the church submits to and cooperates with God's power, the world is disrupted and changed.

Book Synopsis

Christianity Today 2025 Book Award Finalist (Church/Pastoral Leadership)

"Masterfully defines and unpacks the concept of power."--Christianity Today

History is clear: Whenever the church has aligned itself with worldly, coercive power, it ends up on the wrong side of important justice issues.

But when the church cooperates with God's power through his presence among the least powerful, its witness for Jesus transforms the world into a better place.

In Reckoning with Power, David Fitch unpacks the difference between worldly power, or power over others, and God's power, which engages not in coercion but in love, reconciliation, grace, forgiveness, and healing.

In a world where we can see the abuses of power everywhere--in our homes, schools, governments, and churches--Fitch teaches readers how to discern power and avoid its abuses and traumas. By learning from the church's historical pitfalls, Fitch empowers Christians to relinquish worldly power and make space for God to disrupt and transform our culture for his kingdom.

From the Back Cover

How the Right Kind of Power Can Disrupt and Change the World

History is clear: Whenever the church has aligned itself with worldly, coercive power, it ends up on the wrong side of important justice issues. But when the church cooperates with God's power through his presence among the least powerful, its witness for Jesus transforms the world into a better place.

In a time when we see abuses of power everywhere--in our homes, schools, governments, and churches--David Fitch teaches us how to discern power and avoid its pitfalls. By learning from the church's historical triumphs and failures, we can relinquish worldly power and make space for God to disrupt and transform our culture for his kingdom.

"Reckoning with Power is the critical reassessment the church needs--particularly the church in North America. I urge those who hope for a better Christianity to read this book."
--Brian Zahnd, author of The Wood Between the Worlds

"At this moment, there's nothing the church needs more than a Jesus-centered theology of power. Fitch's book brings that needed word. May the church listen."
--Beth Felker Jones, Northern Seminary; author of Practicing Christian Doctrine

"Fitch asks us to look deeper, question more, and release that which so many of us have striven for: worldly power."
--Sean Palmer, author, pastor, speaking and teaching coach

"This book should be required reading for Christian leaders and influencers. It is the best Christian introduction to the subject I have read."
--John Fea, author of Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump; Messiah University

"Fitch calls us to Christ's power as the church's first and final reckoning with worldly power. Powerful!"
--Jonathan Tran, Baylor University; author of Asian Americans and the Spirit of Racial Capitalism

About the Author

David E. Fitch (PhD, Northwestern University) is the B. R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary and the cofounder of Missio Alliance. He is the founding pastor of Life on the Vine Christian Community, a missional church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and is currently on the pastoral staff at Peace of Christ Church in Westmont, Illinois. Fitch is the author of six books and writes and speaks frequently on cultural engagement, leadership, and theology. He has also written for Christianity Today, Outreach, and Catalyst.