Awards

• Winner of <DIV>A <I>Choice</I> Outstanding Academic Title, 2010.</DIV> 2010

Overview

The idea of the United States as a Christian nation is a powerful, seductive, and potentially destructive theme in American life, culture, and politics. And yet, as Richard T. Hughes reveals in this powerful book, the biblical vision of the ""kingdom of God"" stands at odds with the values and actions of an American empire that sanctions war instead of peace, promotes dominance and oppression instead of reconciliation, and exalts wealth and power instead of justice for the poor and needy. With extensive analysis of both Christian scripture and American history from the founding of the republic to the present day, Christian America and the Kingdom of God illuminates the devastating irony of a ""Christian America"" that so often behaves in unchristian ways.

Full Product Details

9780252078897

Table of Contents

Reviews

<p> Hughes provides a solid, scripturally based explanation of the kingdom of God--a kingdom defined by love, peace, patience and generosity. -- Peoria Journal Star

Hughes busts the myth of America as a Christian nation by quoting widely from the Bible and showing how American actions since the founding of the republic have often contradicted the central scriptural teaching of peace on earth and goodwill to man... A genuinely thought-provoking read, Christian America and the Kingdom of God makes one wonder if those who wage wars and bloodshed in the name of God do really know the holy canon. Chicago Sun-Times As evangelicals continues to struggle with their identify in the post-George W. Bush era, let us hope that gentler, more reasonable voices like that of Richard Hughes prevail over those that prefer stridency and partisanship. Huffington Post Hughes provides a solid, scripturally based explanation of the kingdom of God--a kingdom defined by love, peace, patience and generosity. Peoria Journal Star In this timely contribution to widespread discussion about the United States as a Christian nation, Hughes offers a concise history of the cultural influence of the idea, a critique based on careful reading of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, an interpretation of the appeal of religious fundamentalism to Americans, and an answer to the question, why do we think of the US as a Christian nation? ... Highly recommended. Choice An important sign of the times. Its passion, clarity and critical piety make it the kind of book that could build a movement. The Christian Century An eloquent critique of those who would use a distorted interpretation of Christian belief to further their political agenda. Hughes does this with impressive theological scholarship and with an unswerving commitment to peace and social justice. Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present

Hughes busts the myth of America as a Christian nation by quoting widely from the Bible and showing how American actions since the founding of the republic have often contradicted the central scriptural teaching of peace on earth and goodwill to man... A genuinely thought-provoking read, Christian America and the Kingdom of God makes one wonder if those who wage wars and bloodshed in the name of God do really know the holy canon. --Chicago Sun-Times As evangelicals continues to struggle with their identify in the post-George W. Bush era, let us hope that gentler, more reasonable voices like that of Richard Hughes prevail over those that prefer stridency and partisanship. --Huffington Post Hughes provides a solid, scripturally based explanation of the kingdom of God--a kingdom defined by love, peace, patience and generosity. --Peoria Journal Star In this timely contribution to widespread discussion about the United States as a Christian nation, Hughes offers a concise history of the cultural influence of the idea, a critique based on careful reading of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, an interpretation of the appeal of religious fundamentalism to Americans, and an answer to the question, why do we think of the US as a Christian nation? ... Highly recommended. --Choice An important sign of the times. Its passion, clarity and critical piety make it the kind of book that could build a movement. --The Christian Century

<p> In this timely contribution to widespread discussion about the United States as a Christian nation, Hughes offers a concise history of the cultural influence of the idea, a critique based on careful reading of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, an interpretation of the appeal of religious fundamentalism to Americans, and an answer to the question, why do we think of the US as a Christian nation? . . . Highly recommended. -- Choice An important sign of the times. Its passion, clarity and critical piety make it the kind of book that could build a movement. -- The Christian Century

Author Information

Richard T. Hughes is Director of the Sider Institute for Anabaptist, Pietist, and Wesleyan Studies and Distinguished Professor of Religion at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, and author or editor of more than a dozen books, including Myths America Lives By and How Christian Faith Can Sustain the Life of the Mind.

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