Wigner the Collected Works Part B Mehra: Historical, Philosophical, and Socio-Political Papers Socio-Political Reflections and Civil Defense (Collected Works, 8)

Book Description

The distinguished author of Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory returns with a searing examination of a new generation of evangelical leaders who have hijacked the Christian faith on behalf of the Republican Party

For much of American history, evangelicalism was aligned with progressive political causes. Nineteenth-century evangelicals fought for the abolition of slavery, universal suffrage, and public education. But contemporary conservative activists have defaulted on this majestic legacy, embracing instead an agenda virtually indistinguishable from the Republican Party platform. Abortion, gay marriage, intelligent design--the Religious Right is fighting, and winning, some of the most important political battles of the twentyfirst century. How has evangelical Christianity become so entrenched in partisan politics?

Randall Balmer is both an evangelical Christian and a historian of American religion. Struggling to reconcile the contemporary state of evangelical faith in America with its proud tradition of progressivism, Balmer has headed to the frontlines of some of the most powerful and controversial organizations tied to the Religious Right. With a skillful combination of grassroots organization, ideological conviction, and media savvy, the leaders of the movement have mobilized millions of American evangelical Christians behind George W. Bush's hard-right political agenda.

Deftly combining ethnographic research, theological reflections, and historical context, Balmer laments the trivialization of Christianity--and offers a rallying cry for liberal Christians to reclaim the noble traditions of their faith.

Customer Reviews:

Religion works best when not mixed with politics.......2007-09-01

Balmer, a left-wing evangelical Christian, believes that his religious faith has been "hijacked" by the Religious Right. It seems that being a Christian and being a Republican has become synonymous in the minds of certain people, both within and without the faith.

The first chapter starts off discussing the Religious Rights' two favorite bugaboos--abortion and homosexuality. Jesus said nothing about either in the New Testament, but in the politicized churches of the Religious Right, that's just about all one hears about. What about poverty? What about racism? Oops, the Religious Right did spend a lot of energy trying to maintain Bob Jones University's tax exempt status....In any event, Balmer makes his point clear that abortion, undesirable as it is, is no place for government intervention.

Balmer provides a short history of the Baptist church (many on the religious right self-identify as Baptist). The early Baptist church supported a separation between church and state; this idea ended up getting written into the Bill of Rights. The politicized church of today would be unrecognizable to the early Baptists. It is noted that religion, predominantly various strains of Christianity, has thrived in the United States in this atmosphere of church/state separation. Balmer likens the need of the Religious Right to have symbols of the faith on public property, to Golden Calf-type idolatry.

Although admitting that parents have a right to choose schools for their children, Balmer considers any school situation other than public school potentially antidemocratic. This includes school vouchers, homeschooling, and (to a lesser extent) charter schools. Balmer also describes a "Patrick Henry College" that not only allows young evangelicals to continue their isolation from the world through their college years, but also encourages them to bring their beliefs into the political system (such as becoming a Supreme Court justice....)

Creationism, or Intelligent Design, or whatever they're calling it this week, is not only unscientific, but damages religious faith by requiring it to undergo scientific rigor.

There is one area where the Religious Right is starting to break ranks with the rest of the Republicans, and that is the environment. Evangelicals are moving away from a "dominion" model (let's use everything up) and towards a "stewardship" model (the Earth is the Lord's, and we as Christians are to take care of it).

The book concludes with a list of more Religious Right foibles, and finally, a reminder of what religious people ought to be putting their energies toward (such as abolishing torture, capital punishment, etc. as well as the usual war/racism/poverty stuff that Republicans haven't, in general, seen fit to deal with for one reason or another).

Balmer presents his arguments well. Occasionally, however, some of his personal political viewpoints, beyond what is covered in the book do come rushing out. For example, he seems to advocate vegetarianism to some degree, on page 151 ("not yet dead animal hanging from a slaughterhouse hook") and p. 186. He is a cheerleader for the public schools with all their faults, admonishing the Religious Right not to either modify them (e.g. having any sort of religious presence) or shun them (vouchers, private schools, etc.) On page 135, he gives the example of the radio to try to say that there is no "liberal media"--what about television?

It is interesting to compare this book with _Failing America's Faithful_, by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. (I reviewed it earlier). Despite the denominational difference (Townsend's a Catholic, Balmer's an Evangelical) the themes are similar; the Religious Right should not be allowed to monopolize Christianity in America. However, while Townsend advocates a left-wing version of the Religious Right, Balmer emphasizes that religion works best when it stays peripheral to political activities.

Where is the logic?? .......2007-06-17

How can one who does not believe all the Bible -- only his own chosen verses, and many of those out of context -- argue against the failures of others whom he claims are not measuring up to the Bible's teachings ?? On another note, the Bible stands on its on teachings. You cannot argue for or against something on the basis of tradition. Truth is truth, right is right, regardless of what others say. Many of his arguments are moot, because he doesn't believe the truth of a book he seeks to defend. His arguments for the most part are his personal beliefs versus the Christian Conservatives. **** If you truly want to understand the role of religion and politics in American History, a better read would be "The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States" by Benjamin Franklin Morris. (Originally published in 1864 -- recently reprinted and available from www.americanvision.org) Another Good Read --

"America a Christian Nation" by Stephen Mcdowell. Let the facts speak for themselves.

Thy Kingdom Come.......2007-04-05

Extremely insightful, well documented, and sagely written. Solid credibility of the author with clear basis for arguments. At times a bit repitive; but, on basis, a good read. Recommended for both theologic and secular readers to understand the real background behind religious right excesses imposed on our political process.

INTOLERANCE.......2007-01-30

Why is it okay to malign those who believe in a Saviour who tells us to "Love our Enemies"? Why is it okay to hurt those who try to serve others? Why is this okay when Islam's leader tells them to "Fight those who do not believe in Allah..." Qu'ran 9:29.

missed opportunity.......2007-01-17

In addition to his credentials as a professor of American religion at Barnard College, Columbia University, Randall Balmer writes as an insider who was born, raised, and educated within conservative evangelicalism. In addition to affirming his evangelical identity, he also declares himself a political liberal. Balmer has written elsewhere how and why he remains grateful for his Christian heritage despite significance ambivalence (Growing Pains; Learning to Love My Father's Faith, and Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory: A Journey into the Evangelical Subculture in America), but in his most recent book his ambivalence turns to acerbic vilification.

Evangelicalism's marriage to conservative politics, Balmer says, has poisoned public discourse, distorted the Gospel so that it barely resembles the message of Jesus, betrayed its nineteenth-century forbears who were in the vanguard of progressive causes like abolition, and alienated a sizeable number of fellow-evangelicals who have tired of explaining to their friends that their Christian faith "does not mean that we take our marching orders from James Dobson or Karl Rove." After a brief introduction he devotes successive chapters to the religious right's litmus tests --abortion, homosexuality, first amendment disestablishment (including the "Ten Commandments Judge" Roy Moore), school vouchers and public education, creationism, and the environment. Throughout his book Balmer argues that the right has often acted not out of moral principle but for political expedience. For example, school vouchers go overwhelmingly to religious schools and to wealthy people; would right wingers lobby for the issue so hard if vouchers were given only to families whose household income was below a certain threshold? Or again, if evangelicals really cared about abortion, why have they done so little about it, even though they have controlled the White House and Congress, or why have they been so silent about specifics (jail a doctor who performed an abortion?)? Instead of "pandering for power," Balmer calls evangelicals to the renunciation of power, for true religion, he believes, flourishes at the fringes. Instead of creating their own intellectual, cultural, and social ghettos, evangelicals ought to seek the common good of all society.

I happen to agree with Balmer on many issues, but his book suffers from its polemical tone. In the last few pages, for example, he disses the "minions" and "bloviating preachers" of the religious right who, he is sure, will vilify him for his brave honesty. His patronizing style, though, only plays into the hands of the people he might have reached, and so decreases his readership and entrenches stereotypes on both sides. Balmer also neglects material that does not fit his simple narrative. I appreciated his argument that most evangelicals did not object to abortion because of Roe v. Wade, but some important figures like HOJ Brown and Francis Schaeffer surely did, and very early on. Intelligent design has problems, but that does not mean Marsden is wrong about hostility toward the faith in secular universities (at least according to my friends at Stanford), or that eminent scholars like John Polkinghorne do not have good things to say about the anthropic principle. Some of his anecdotal examples strike me as fringe, even if scary. At one point he does give credit where it is due, acknowledging the important, if late, change of mind among some evangelicals about environmental concerns; he even suggests that environmental causes might be the wedge that separates conservative believers from conservative political ideology.

I regretted Balmer's sarcastic tone because we need the right to read people like him, and like the more balanced treatments of similar material by Jon Meacham (American Gospel), Jim Wallis (God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It), and pastor Gregory Boyd (The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power Is Destroying the Church). Unlike Balmer, the latter two books affirm that the Gospel judges all political ideologies, left or right. I wish Balmer success in his mission to "slay the dragon of the religious right," and I agree with him that our country would be better for it. But his chances for success would have improved if he had avoided sarcasm and sanctimony.

Thy Kingdom Come: Tracing God's Kingdom Program and Covenant Promises Throughout History

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Outstanding outline of God's Plan thru the Ages

Thy Kingdom Come: Tracing God's Kingdom Program and Covenant Promises Throughout History
J. Dwight Pentecost
Manufacturer: Kregel Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0825434505

Book Description

A thorough study that traces the kingdom program from Genesis to Revelation, relating the various biblical covenants.

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding outline of God's Plan thru the Ages.......1998-01-27

This book provides the unifying theme of scripture in dispensational theology. Any serious student of dispensational truth (or the Bible for that matter) must read and digest this book. Without an understanding of the Kingdom of God in the different dispensations, the unity of the Bible can be lost; with it, truth comes shining to the front. A great book.-Kelly Whiting

Matthew: Thy Kingdom Come: A Commentary on the First Gospel

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This breif commentary answers the Pre-wrathers.
Solid Comentary, But Brief

Matthew: Thy Kingdom Come: A Commentary on the First Gospel
John F. Walvoord
Manufacturer: Kregel Academic & Professional
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0825439698

Book Description

This verse-by-verse commentary of the book of Matthew by popular author and scholar John Walvoord examines the life of Christ and the stages of acceptance and rejection that He endured.

Customer Reviews:

This breif commentary answers the Pre-wrathers........2004-08-04

Prewrathers Robert Van Kampen & Rev. Roger Best in their article (...)
....ask us who believe in Pretribulationalism "ARE MATTHEW AND REVELATION FOR THE CHURCH OR UNSAVED ISRAEL?"....they make the following charges...

[P]retribulationism views substantial sections of New Testament Scripture as having no application to the Church (in fact, many pretribulationists find it necessary to eliminate the entire Book of Matthew). For this reason, the applicability of the Beatitudes to the Church is denied, as well at the Great Commission in order to protect pretribulationism from the plain and obvious teachings concerning the timing of Christ's return as given in the Olivet Discourse!

Dr. Walvoord writes from the Dispensational/Pretribulational/
Premillennial view point and answers their challenge with a brief, non-technical commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. He explains the purpose of Matthew writing this gospel for the Jews and why Jesus is the fulfillment of their Messianic expectation, because He fullfilled the prophecy of the Old Testament. He explains that Jesus was offering Israel the kingdom promised to them if they would receive Him as their King. But the Sanhedrian rejected the offer and blasphemied the Holy Spirit by say that Jesus was demon possessed and insane.
Once Jesus knew His time was short, then He spoke of the Church that was to be (future tense) built upon the Rock that "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:18).
Thus he squarely places the Gospel of Matthew as primarily applying to the Jews in the dispensation of Law, with secondary application to the Church. Paul stated that the Old Testament (of which the Gospel's occur)...Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
So from reading this commentary you will find their statement falasious that "...many pretribulationists find it necessary to eliminate the entire Book of Matthew..."

Solid Comentary, But Brief.......2001-04-02

Walvoord interprets through a Premillennial, Pretribulational, Dispensational grid, and I personally appreciate this. This is a very solid work. It falls somewhere between a survey and thorough commentary. Although Walvoord leaves a lot of questions unanswered, he does establish and deal with the clear pattern of Matthew, the Kingdom offered, rejected, the mystery form of the kingdom and the church age announced, details of Christ's second coming, and then the commission to spread the gospel to all the world.

Book Description

This startling and original interpretation of Bible prophecy argues persuasively that three divine calls have been made since the advent of Christall clearly foretold in the promises found in the Christian Holy Books. The readers attention is brought again and again to repeated references to the number three in the New Testament, referring to the warnings and judgments of God. The Revelations of Muhammad, the Bab, and Bahaullah give meaning to these words.

Book Description

Examines over 1000 Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments.

The most momentous event in the history of mankind is the establishment of God's Kingdom on the earth. Any, therefore, who have themselves uttered those profoundly significant words, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." must be gripped by the most avid interest in the events leading to the fulfillment of this prayer.

Thy Kingdom Come examines these events and prepares the reader to understand such Bible topics as:

• The time and meaning of "the Harvest"
• The deliverance of the Church
• The restoration of favor to Israel
• Jesus' parables of
the Wise and Foolish Virgins,
the Wedding Garment,
the Wheat and Tares,
plus many others.

Thy Kingdom Come has an entire chapter on the detailed prophecy of Daniel 11, demonstrating how this chapter alone in the Bible demonstrates its authority and foreknowledge, foretelling such historical figures as Alexander the Great, his four generals and Napoleon Bonaparte, among others. It is history written in advance leading up step by step to the Time of the End, so significant in Bible prophecy.

Specific Bible prophecies are examined that demonstrate that Bible students understood and expected the re-establishment of the nation of Israel in her homeland long before the world witnessed its declaration of independence in 1948. In 1878 Petah Tiqwah, the first Jewish settlement, was establishged in Israel. The Bible has shown this date to be a pivotal year in the nations's regathering.

In addition, Thy Kingdom Come examines the testimony of God's silent stone witness the Great Pyramid of Gizeh, revealing its harmonious confirmation of the accuracy of the Bible.

Customer Reviews:

The Kingdom is here ...........2003-12-01

The promise Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus mentioned in the "Lord's Prayer" is the subject of this volume. What is this kingdom? When and how will it come? Who comprise it and who are it's rulers and subjects? These questions are answered, as well as the subject of the nation of Israel, this chapter alone is worth the purchase of this volume. The author shows from scripture the restoration of this nation and how it will stand in the center of world controversy. Much of this chapter has been fulfilled, years before the book was printed, read about those prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled and follow along with history in the making!

Bible Chronology "continued.".......2003-07-22

This book is a natural sequel to the book "The Time Is At Hand" and goes into greater depth with some difficult chronology. It considers some of the dating contained in the book of Daniel. It also shows that prophecy focuses on the "end times," which is now!--a period called the "Harvest." The final chapter is a fascinating look at the Great Pyramid of Egypt and how it contains elements that illustrate God's plan.

A unique topical Bible study guide.......2003-06-22

This is, apparently, the third in a set of six study guides. It delves much deeper into more particular, and highly interesting, subjects such as the Great Pyramid at Giza, and others that simply are neither understood nor even considered by the average Bible-believing Christian. "Thy Kingdom Come," of course, derives its title from the most oft-repeated prayer in the Bible, styled "The Lord's Prayer," and it aptly lives up to its billing. If you are thirsting for a far deeper understanding of those particular words and much, much more then this book will be a refreshing drink of cold, clear water for the free-thinking Christian. On some subjects it flies in the face of all that the hegemony of orthodox churchianty peddles as "truth." It does, however, provide clear, Scripture-supported answers where orthodoxy fails miserably to quench the thirst of those few who bother to dig beneath the shallow topsoil of the rockbeds that denominational creeds profer as fertile ground.

Excellent studies on the book of Daniel and the Pyramid.......2003-06-22

This book provides an excellent description of the prophecies in the book of Daniel as well as a clear interpretation of their meaning. It is purely based on scripture, and does an excellent job of harmonizing seemingly contradicting scriptures. If you are searching for answers, this book has them. It also provides an explanation of the "stone witness" in the Great Pyramid in Egypt, and explains the scriptures of Isa 19:19-20 and how the pyramid's measurements show the plan of GOD. A must read for the truth-seeker!

Average customer rating:

quite profound

Thy Kingdom Come: A Blumhardt Reader
Christopher F. Blumhardt , and Johann C. Blumhardt
Manufacturer: W PUBLISHING GROUP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

The Awakening: One Man's Battle With Darkness

ASIN: 0802835449

Customer Reviews:

quite profound.......2007-06-02

This is a pretty good read. There are a couple of things which raise question to whether they are Biblically supported, but the rest you will find quite exhorting such as the instruction to pray for truth if you really want to see wonders. It is a keeper.

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Thy Kingship Come
David R. Mains
Manufacturer: Zondervan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0310342716

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Loved it!
It's worth a 2nd and 3rd look.
Great book
An amazing book
Must read for all

Prodigal Journey (Thy Kingdom Come)
Linda Paulson Adams
Manufacturer: Cornerstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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Refining Fire: Prodigal Journey

ASIN: 1929281056

Customer Reviews:

Loved it!.......2004-06-14

This book was a really wonderful look at how things could play out before the Second Coming of Christ. The characters were well developed and the plot suspenseful, leaving wonderful clues throughout to tantalize readers about what was coming next. The treatment of so many sacred things was done in a wonderful, touching way, and Alyssa's struggles were dealt with very well. Enjoy!

It's worth a 2nd and 3rd look........2003-06-15

I have read Prodigal Journey, by Linda Paulson Adams, three times now, and enjoy it more each time I read it. The pace is fast, and the story is gripping. This is one book you may want to stay up all night to read.

Great book.......2003-01-30

I read Prodical Journey last year. It is great. The story moves along at a fast pace. I was left wanting more. I can't wait for the sequel to come out.

An amazing book.......2002-11-16

This book is so great.
It's involved and inruiging and you find yourself wanting more.

Must read for all.......2002-11-16

This books brings Sci-Fi and the LDS religion together. This is not an easy task but Linda Paulson Adams is able to successfully accomplish it. I felt Alyssa's pain and cried when Alyssa couldn't due to losing the love of her life.

I had an extremely hard time putting this book down and hope to see many more books from this rising new author. Hurry up and complete another book!!

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For Whom Does Thy Kingdom Come?
Mark Stading
Manufacturer: Lulu.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1430310901

Book Description

For nearly two thousand years manmade walls of tradition have been held in place dividing the Hebrew and Greek scriptures. The gospel of Jesus Christ has been Judaism's excuse for building a wall. The destruction of Israel's 2nd temple is Christendom's excuse for building its own. As a result there has been a contentious debate as to who is to inherit the Kingdom of God. So what would happen if these walls were removed? Within the pages of this book the walls are dismantled. As a result a new found harmony of Scripture emerges which refutes this debate. With the help of many charts and graphs, its findings should prove provocatively enlightening for adhering Jews and Christians alike. Discover just exactly who the inheritors of the Kingdom of God are to be and what the many signs of the End Times are to be to indicate the soon arrival of the Kingdom's coming.

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May Thy Kingdom Come
Paul F. Brown
Manufacturer: The Board of Foreign Missions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K0FS02

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