Thy Kingdom Come

I have just finished listening to Randall Balmer’s book, Thy Kingdom Come: How the Religious Right Distorts the Faith and Threatens America. It is a well presented, cutting evaluation of modern Evangelicalism and the dangers of Christians pursuing political influence through single-issue politics and selective biblical interpretation.

Balmer traces the development of Evangelicalism from its beginning involvement in social reform and progressive politics to the present where it ignores social reform and attacks progressive politics. Balmer feels that the Religious Right has used selective biblical interpretation to push single-issue politics in order to motivate Evangelicals to vote for Republican candidates. Issues such as abortion and gay marriage have been used to lure Evangelicals to support the Republican Party without looking at all the other issues, many which were more important to Jesus. There is great danger in Christians becoming tied to one political party.

Religious freedom, pluralism, and separation of church and state are foundational to our democratic society. However, much of what the Religious Right is doing is contrary to the heart of the constitution. In stead of fearing pluralism and trying to gain hegemony, Christians need to embrace pluralism and seek to influence those who are different through love, care and personal evangelism. Much of what the Religious Right is doing is counterproductive and pushes others away from Christ.

Many Evangelicals will hate this book and seek to defame Randall Balmer. However, I think he needs to be head and his insights seriously considered. Humility and introspection is needed if Evangelicalism is to regain its voice and influence in our society.