Christ Before Caesar Faithful Public Witness in an Age of Retreat

In Christ Before Caesar, Thoma addresses the waning influence of Christianity in America, calling for a bold reengagement in the public square. Through theological insight, historical analysis, and personal anecdotes—such as his daughter’s encounter with biased classroom material—Thoma exposes how secular narratives mischaracterize Christian conviction as a threat. He critiques the Church’s internal compromises and external pressures, urging believers to resist cultural lies with the truth of the Gospel. From the Founding Fathersto modern challenges, Thoma argues for a courageous, Christ-centered presence in civic life. Anchored in the biblical truth, this book equips pastors, laypeople, and conservative Christians to navigate a secularizing world with clarity and conviction. With pastoral reflections and a call to action, Christ Before Caesar is a rallying cry for those committed to religious liberty and cultural engagement.

Dr. Christopher I. Thoma, a key voice in Church-State issues, serves as executive director of The Body of Christ and the Public Square. He authored the four-volume devotional The Cruciform Way, Ten Ways to Kill a Pastor, and the satirical five-volume The Angels’ Portion: A Clergyman’s Whisky Narrative.

Introduction: What My Daughter Brought Home from School Section I: Chapter 1: Eroded Foundations Pastoral Reflection: Three Assumptions Too Many Chapter 2: The False Memory of a Godless Republic Pastoral Reflection: From Rev. Jason Lee to Oregon Today Chapter 3: Rooted in Another Kingdom Pastoral Reflection: Anchored Beyond the Amendment Chapter 4: From Influence to Irrelevance Pastoral Reflection: Prepared to Endure, Resolved to Stand Chapter 5: Faith Chooses Sides Pastoral Reflection: The Dissonance Between Faith and Deeds Chapter 6: The Substance of Resistance Pastoral Reflection: Conviction or Conformity Chapter 7: A Church Worth Hating Pastoral Reflection: The Comfortable Collapse of a Church Unhated Chapter 8: When Freedom Becomes a God Pastoral Reflection: A Nation Adrift Chapter 9: When the Church Is in the Way Pastoral Reflection: A Cultural Collision Chapter 10: The Watchful Church Pastoral Reflection: The Door Will Be Opened from the Outside Section II Chapter 11: For the Welfare of the City Pastoral Reflection: Keeping the Republic Chapter 12: Not Merely Theoretical, but Incarnational Pastoral Reflection: Prepared to Make a Defense Chapter 13: Before Governors and Kings Pastoral Reflection: Persistence and Determination Chapter 14: Separation or Accommodation? Pastoral Reflection: Unity at All Costs? Section III Chapter 15: Loose Nails and Last Stands Chapter 16: The Courage to Speak Anyway Chapter 17: Invalidate the Lie Chapter 18: A Leaf on the Tree Conclusion: The Unyielding Triumph of the Risen Christ A Glossary of Terms