The Rise of Christian Nationalism/New Book (merge thread)

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Robin

Puritan Board Junior
Here's one reason why bad theology doesn't help the cause of Christ:

"Kingdom Coming"

Michelle Goldberg, a senior political reporter for Salon.com, has been covering the intersection of politics and ideology for years. Before the 2004 election, and during the ensuing months when many Americans were trying to understand how an administration marked by cronyism, disregard for the national budget, and poorly disguised self-interest had been reinstated, Goldberg traveled through the heartland of a country in the grips of a fevered religious radicalism: the America of our time. From the classroom to the mega-church to the federal court, she saw how the growing influence of dominionism"”the doctrine that Christians have the right to rule nonbelievers"”is threatening the foundations of democracy.

The full story: http://www.kingdomcoming.com/index.html

:detective: Robin

{threads merged/title adjsted}

[Edited on 5-12-2006 by Contra_Mundum]
 
A quote from the review:
Even while pointing to stark parallels between fascism and the language of the religious right, Goldberg's vision of America's future is measured and realistic.
:eek:
 
Without having yet read the article (since although I despise "the divine Ceasar," I mock equally all his worshippers, whether on the right or the left), I just wonder what brain-disorder these lefty twits are suffering from, that they see in a mass-movement embodying the will of (potentially) a majority of people a threat to "the foundations of democracy?"

When you have so obvious a schizophrenia, how do they expect to be taken seriously? But in reality, they don't expect to be "taken seriously," but to be kow-towed to. They really swear allegiance to rule by elites "in the name of the people." They are committed to a two-tiered society, an Animal Farm sort of equality, socialism in all its rags, errr, finery.

It's just like them to promote "democracy" in Iraq, but then to oppose it lest "the wrong people" get elected.

Huh? How's that again? Either "democracy" represents the "will of the people" or it doesn't. Out of one side of their mouth they proclaim the virtues of democracy, and apparently believe that it can be "dropped" upon any sort of culture or society. But then they balk at its expression, in Iraq or "red state" America, if they don't like the results.

Brand the lefty loons the hypocrites they are.

[Edited on 5-11-2006 by Contra_Mundum]
 
Here's another obvious disconnect: How does a "Christian nation" (which obviously existed in a far more recognizable form in 1776) produce a rationally coherent and fundamentally "fair" society, when as we all know, religious people (including Christians) are "irrational"--faith versus reason, in the intellectually-blinkered world of Thomas Paine-esque enlightenment rationalism (a thoroughly discredited philosophy nowdays, abandoned in favor of empericism).


And, lest I seem too one-sided in my criticism, what if she is correct about the trajectory of the power struggle in this country, just misplaced in her analysis of its causes and impetus? Just think of all the horrible results of living under a hijacked "religious coalition", of demagogues who use religious devotion to lead people into blind acknowledgement of their policies, under a cloak of "divine right", or some such. I for one do not think I can predict which dictatorship will arise first--the socialist/Democrat or the populist/Republican.

A pox on both of them.
 
Originally posted by Contra_Mundum
They are committed to a two-tiered society, an Animal Farm sort of equality, socialism in all its rags, errr, finery.

Remember, 4 legs goooooood - 2 legs baaaaaaad. :lol:
 
New Book Examines Christian Nationalism

Link on NPR

Fresh Air from WHYY, May 11, 2006 · Journalist Michelle Goldberg, a senior writer for the online magazine Salon, and covers the Christian Right. In her new book, Kingdom Coming: The Rise of Christian Nationalism, she writes that Christian nationalists believe the Bible is literally true -- and they want to see the nation governed by that truth.

.............................................................

...and the horror that would follow!!!
 
Rev. Bruce,

I heard the extensive interview with the author...yes -- there are more than a few mis-connections. It's expected.

Obviously, the author will come to some wrong conclusions based upon her surveys that do not include the whole and right understanding of the Christian Faith and history.

That said, the point is that this horror of mis-representation (of Christ's mission) is the fault of the dispensational/post-mill camps. (Theonomy emphasized!) Selah.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if this author could refer to Mike Horton's work ("Power Religion" Etc.) and get input on the whole story?

One cutting observation she made was the predominant "moralistic" preaching in churches convinced her that Christianity is solely about moral transformation. (ouch!)

Where, in Christ's Name, is The Gospel???

This tome is a legitimate work.

(wringing hands...)

Robin:um:

[Edited on 5-12-2006 by Robin]
 
Somehow I knew this would have to end up in some Theonomic putdown. If one drinks enough Kline tea, one should expect nothing less.

The question is not where is the gospel, it is how much does the gospel change the individual and the soceity at large, when it is embraced.
 
Originally posted by ChristianTrader
Somehow I knew this would have to end up in some Theonomic putdown. If one drinks enough Kline tea, one should expect nothing less.

The question is not where is the gospel, it is how much does the gospel change the individual and the soceity at large, when it is embraced.

Herm....

If you check further, you'll find that "Kindom Coming" is the source of "theonomic putdown." The author refers extensively to Rushdoony/North. I wonder if Ms. Goldberg knows about Kline?

Something to think about...

r.

[Edited on 5-12-2006 by Robin]
 
Two cheers for Rushdoony and North! It's good to see Christians somewhere challenging Caesar's tyrannical overstepping of Ceaser's sphere and wrankling a few secularists. If only we had more Christians exploring the roles of church and state and wanting to be confessional and historical.

BTW, this isn't the only hatchet job out there on theonomic thinking from the secular media. Mother Jones did one and there have been a couple of conferences as well. In all cases to date they have misrepresented, taken out of context, and where they did understand the thought - of course it revolted them - God? What does God have to do with the STATE? You silly Christians go back to your small groups and your privatized religion.
 
Originally posted by Robin
Originally posted by ChristianTrader
Somehow I knew this would have to end up in some Theonomic putdown. If one drinks enough Kline tea, one should expect nothing less.

The question is not where is the gospel, it is how much does the gospel change the individual and the soceity at large, when it is embraced.

Herm....

If you check further, you'll find that "Kindom Coming" is the source of "theonomic putdown." The author refers extensively to Rushdoony/North. I wonder if Ms. Goldberg knows about Kline?

Something to think about...

r.

[Edited on 5-12-2006 by Robin]

Ms. Goldberg is a "secular jew", so obviously she would be terrified of anyone that took Christ and his Gospel seriously. I am sure that had she been around during the Puritan era, that she would have written a horrific expose of their dominion theology as well.
 
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