This new edition of Ellul’s seminal work, first published in 1948, brings back into print the volume considered “the necessary primer for all Ellul study.” In The Presence of the Kingdom Ellul calls upon Christians to be a radical presence in the world, opposing its will to death with a revolutionary way of life that brings the transforming power of the gospel to bear upon all dimensions of individual as well as collective human existence.
Here in germinal form are the foundational themes that are more fully developed in Ellul’ later works—for example, the tension of the Christian’s position in the world; revolutionary ideologies vs. true revolution; fate vs. human responsibility in the course of history; the confusion of ends and means in the pursuit of technological progress; conditions of effective social and political action; the need for a distinctively Christian style of life.
This important second edition adds a newly-written preface by Ellul reflecting on the circumstances and challenges that prompted him to write the book; an afterword, also by the author; an insightful introduction to major themes in Ellul’ life and thought by Daniel Clendenin; and a bibliography of Ellul’s major works.
JACQUES ELLUL, the provocative thinker who is widely respected for his brilliant analysis of the underlying sociological and spiritual crises of our technological age, is also known as a prolific writer, penetrating theologian, astute observer, and social activist. Among his many books are The Technological Society; The Political Illusion; Living Faith: Belief & Doubt in a Perilous World; and The Humiliation of the Word.