The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church
Language: English
Christian Life Christian Life - Political Issues Christian Theology Christian conservatism - United States Christian institutions & organizations Christianity Christianity and politics Christianity: General Church And Government Conservatism Conservatism & Liberalism Constitution: government & the state Eschatology Evangelicalism Evangelicalism - United States General Kingdom of God Political Ideologies Political Science Politics & government Protestant Religion Religion - Christian Life Religion And Politics Religion: general Religion; Politics & State
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: Apr 19, 2007
Description:
EDITORIAL REVIEW: The church was established to serve the world with Christ-like love, not to rule the world. It is called to look like a corporate Jesus, dying on the cross for those who crucified him, not a religious version of Caesar. It is called to manifest the kingdom of the cross in contrast to the kingdom of the sword. Whenever the church has succeeded in gaining what most American evangelicals are now trying to get -- political power -- it has been disastrous both for the church and the culture. Whenever the church picks up the sword, it lays down the cross. The present activity of the religious right is destroying the heart and soul of the evangelical church and destroying its unique witness to the world. The church is to have a political voice, but we are to have it the way Jesus had it: by manifesting an alternative to the political, 'power over,' way of doing life. We are to transform the world by being willing to suffer for others -- exercising 'power under,' not by getting our way in society -- exercising 'power over.'