PREORDER: By What Power: The Book of Acts, Autocracy, and the Power of Resistance

by Eric C. Smith

PRESALE - Book will ship in Fall of 2026

"By what power or by what name did you act?" (Acts 4:7) captures the fear of those in power when confronted with strength they do not understand. By What Power draws startling parallels between the Roman Empire and 21st‑century America, revealing how corruption, unjust laws, imprisonment, and violence protect wealth and divide communities. Biblical scholar Eric C. Smith shows how early Christians navigated courts, oppression, and seemingly impossible systems—and how their strategies offer a blueprint for today: build faith communities rooted in mutual support, share resources boldly, and practice radical inclusion. By What Power equips readers to reclaim agency, confront systemic injustice, and flourish in the face of empire, offering essential wisdom for anyone seeking action, courage, and hope beyond the claims of the religious right.

About the Author: Eric C. Smith is an ordained Disciples of Christ minister with 25 years of parish experience and a tenured scholar of the New Testament, exploring its intersections with American culture and politics. A prolific and engaging author of four books, including Paul the Progressive, he writes a widely read weekly Substack for clergy and laity alike.