The Kingdom, The Power, And The Glory by Tim Alberta is a book my son had mentioned to me, and it spiked my interest. The subtitle, "American Evangelicals In An Age Of Extremism", along with the discussion that my son and I had, gave me an insight as to what the book was going to delve into.
A while ago, you may remember that I did a review on The Violent Take It By Force by Matthew D. Taylor, which dealt with how our culture had changed to the point that something like January 6, 2021 could happen in America.
While that book did reference some denominations who were influential in attributing to the storm on our nation's capital, the focus was mainly on the events of January 6.
In The Kingdom, The Power, And The Glory you will find something quite different, yet similar. This book, well written and based on facts from interviews that this journalist (Tim Alberta ~ who is a Christian) did with a myriad of people from pastors to students in Christian institutions, to professors, to Christian college leadership, backs up the theme of the book dealing with American Evangelicals.
He deals with how politics has come into the Church through pastors who have given way to leading their congregants in the path of associating Christianity with one particular political party to the point that Politics has replaced Jesus in their churches. He gives results of interviews that he has had with people who either were or are currently students in some of the high-profile Christian institutions, along with some of the professors who taught in these Christian colleges. Tim Alberta also focused on the pressure that came down to these students and professors from the political leadership heads on these college campuses. Many of them (both professors and students) were forced out because they refused to bow to the political power within the leadership. The author does make it clear that there are still a lot of pastors who are dedicated to the preaching of the Truth and who put Jesus above politics, and he gives credit where credit is due.
If you choose to read this book, you will find at the core of the book's existence are two things, with the first being that politics is replacing Jesus in churches and Christian institutions and colleges all across America.
Secondly, you will find that the main focus is that in many churches across America people who profess to be Christians are no longer willing to "love thy neighbor as thyself", as Christ commands us in the New Testament. Rather, it is all about striking fear in people by putting a political party above the Lord Jesus Christ...the One Who suffered and died for our sins, rose again on the third day.
Would I recommend the book? Yes, I would.
Why would I recommend the book? As I read through the 425 pages of the book, there were many things that brought back memories of experiences that our two children went through when they were in Christian colleges...especially our son. Trust me, my friends, the things cited in this book are real. Strong Heart and I left one of these types of churches three and a half years ago to worship in a totally different denomination...one where we hear the Gospel preached and see our church family living out the commands of Christ. We once again love and look forward to our opportunities to worship in God's house with like-minded Christians.
What church do you go to now?
ReplyDeleteSandi, I don't believe it is necessary to say what church I go to. I think it's enough to say that I've given up "labels" and prefer to be known as a Christian and extend God's grace to as many as He puts in my path.
DeleteWould you say your beliefs have changed? I suppose I am not asking which church, but rather, what is different in your life now that you have made this change? What do you believe now vs. what did you believe then.
DeleteThank you, Sandi, for further explaining your question. Basically, I went from being in a church where "works" were greatly emphasized. If the church doors were open, you'd best be there. The Holy Spirit actually brought me to the conviction of my need of a Savior while in that church...in other words, no person "led me to Jesus". The basic concern was "saving souls" without feeding or discipling the church.
DeleteNow where we go, we are fed and taught the Word.
The core of my beliefs is :
Sola Scriptura ~ Scripture Alone (the Bible alone is the highest authority),
Sola Fide ~ Faith Alone (We are saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ),
Sola Gratia ~ Grace Alone (We are saved by the grace of God alone),
Solus Christus ~ Christ Alone (Jesus Christ alone is our Lord, Savior, and King),
Soli de Gloria ~ to the glory of God alone (We live for the glory of God alone).
I hope that helps you to better understand. In short, where we are now, there is no political propaganda preached from the pulpit, only the Word of God and where the Holy Spirit has free reign to work in our individual lives as opposed to everyone else knowing God's will for our lives.
If you have further questions, please feel free to email me. My email address is in my profile. Thank you again for taking the time to further explain what you were asking in such a kind manner.
🧡 That sound refreshing!
DeleteIt truly is, Sandi. You know how the Bible tells us that the Truth will set us free? Well, that's exactly how I feel because of the sound doctrine that we are taught now.
DeleteBased on your review, I think I would like to read this book. I totally agree that in some churches, politics have become the "gospel" that is preached. Thankfully, we both have found a church that isn't like that. Great review.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melanie, for your insight in these words, "politics have become the "gospel" that is preached". I know that there are many good men out there, both in Christian colleges and churches who teach and preach the true gospel, but I also know that we as Christians we need to keep abreast of what is going on.
DeleteAnother book that addresses some of the infiltration that has creeped into colleges and denominations is Shepherds for Sale by Megan Basham. I'm reading that one currently. Keep the main thing the main thing and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Have a beautiful day, Dianna.
ReplyDeleteEllen, thank you for your book recommendation! I have seen that book on Amazon but hadn't made it that far yet. :) Yes! Keep the main thing the main thing. xx
DeleteFrom Lisa Notes (who was unable to post a comment here but took the time to email me with her response, which is ""I appreciate your informative review, Dianna. I read this book too and agree with your two main things, that the author cites many churches where politics is elevated above Jesus, and that some have forgotten that Love is the greatest command. It's not easy to hear these things, but it's important that we stay aware of what's happening. Thanks for sharing about this with a tender heart and grace."
ReplyDeleteLisa, thank you for your insight and for sharing that you have also read this book. I know when I started reading Part 1 (The Kingdom), I was shocked by some of the things I was reading. I must have been quite naive...so yes, it is not easy to hear these things, but it is definitely important that we stay aware of what's happening.
DeleteThank you for your review and recommendation.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
You are welcome, Jan. I know you are in the UK, and this book is about American Evangelicalism but it was definitely a worthwhile read for me.
DeleteI can remember as a young adult, our churches would hand out voter guides. I appreciated it at the time, but it probably wasn't wise. Later they changed from recommending who to vote for to just publishing how they voted on key issues (if an incumbent) or their stated views on positions, which was better.
ReplyDeleteOne sad backlash of this kind of thing is that some pastors want to stay so far away from anything political that they never mention current events or even encourage people to vote their consciences. My husband is quite interested in politics--not above the gospel, of course, and he knows that politics aren't the answer to everything. But he rarely voices his opinion in church because it can be so divisive, and because some people seem anti-politics now. It's hard to find the right balance.
I was never exposed to any kind of politics in the church that was in the small community that I grew up in and even don't really remember hearing about them from the pulpit where our children grew up. If there was it was very little. It wasn't until our children went to college that politics became evident...and that wasn't always about a political party...but it was more about the politics within the organization.
DeleteI understand about your husband not discussing political issues at church because for fear of causing division. This is such a different culture we are living in now. We definitely don't hear it at our church either.
From Mari at My Little Corner of the World (who was also unable to comment on this post directly) but has let me know of her problem. So, I have copied and pasted her comment to put here. "For some reason, I can't comment on todays post. It keeps telling me I have to be a member, but I can see others are commenting so this is weird. Anyway, I am seeing verses being taken out of context on both the liberal and conservative side to support their views, and while I think the church needs to speak out on matters of the day, we need to be very careful not to twist the Bible to support a certain political idiology."
ReplyDeleteMari, you are so right about being careful to not twist Scripture to suit our political ideology. Thank you so much.
DeleteI want to read this book. Thank you Dianna for the review. I guess I have been naive for years and years. I live in the Bible belt area of the US and I honestly just never realized that not all people believe the way I was raised in our small church. I am pretty certain I know what denomination you are speaking of. We have HUGE mega churches in our area and I will say, that I am disappointed in many. "We are reaching the lost" are famous words, but the order in which they are being reached is quite different from the way I grew up. Politics is the the worst thing that can happen in our churches. I have a grandson who is very educated in the Christian faith, but he has been so turned off by many of the movements from the "Christian world". Ooooo...I could go on and on about this
ReplyDeleteShug, thank you so much for sharing here... especially about your grandson. It's definitely a different world out there than what we grew up in, my friend.
DeleteYou always have the most interesting book reviews. I appreciate your honest reviews. I am always blessed when I stop by....and although I am not much of a reader, I see the value in being informed and in these type of books. I think I will look into it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, thank you for your kind words. When I do a book review, I don't necessarily agree with everything in the book and I do my best to let folks know that. When it comes to books like this one, I like to do a review in order that people have an idea of how to be better informed. If you do decide to read it, let me know what you think.
DeleteThanks for your review.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Bill.
DeleteI must admit that I'm surprised by what is going on in some American churches. Either I'm living in a bubble or else Canadians don't think the same as Americans. We don't align ourselves with a certain party and feel that strongly about politics. Right now we're experiencing turmoil politically but it never ( to my knowledge) affects families that have different opinions on who is "right". And I've never heard anything about politics from the pulpit. Thankfully.
ReplyDeleteDear Friend, you are not living in a bubble. This book is about Evangelism in American churches, mainly because of how some have begun to put politics over the gospel, and it is truly causing great division here in America.
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