Why the Left Is Not Right: The Religious Left : Who They Are and What They Believe by Ronald H. Nash

by Ronald H. Nash

Just in time for this year's elections come this close and well-researched look at the ideas and activities of the religious left. Nash identifies the major players in the religious left, examines their recent public statements, and, from an evangelical Christian perspective, confronts thei positions and offers a defense for the religious right.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Politics

Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

Ronald H. Nash (PhD, Syracuse University) was a longtime professor at Western Kentucky University, Reformed Theological Seminary, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

He was an heir of the theological tradition of Carl F.H. Henry, and was an lifelong admirer and student of Augustine of Hippo, his favorite philosopher.

He was the author of numerous books, including The Concept of God, Life's Ultimate Questions, and Faith and Reason.

Reviews

[Bryce Eickholt · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some good stuff. If nothing else you can get some history of the 80s and 90s out of it. A lot of the same stuff he's talking about then is still the same today. Some other stuff is rather dated. The chapter on economics is good but he has other books on that. It definitely plays on the false dichotomy between "liberal" and consevative. He does differentiate between the old left and new left but then uses liberal to describe them even though they are both anti liberal.

[Philip Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty sweet bit of political theology from Nash, responding to evangelical figures of the 80s and 90s (Campolo, Sider etc.) who make the case that leftist-type politics are the necessary implication of evangelical beliefs. It's classic Nash in that it's solid and still accessible. The chapters on left politics under the guise of centrism, socialism, and Bill Clinton were the best, in my opinion. Regarding the latter, reading this felt seriously nostalgic, as the book came out in 1996, at least partly to sway evangelicals away from reelecting Clinton. Kinda weird reading polemical writing about politics that is super similar to a lot of today's stuff, just with different main characters. Give this book a jam.

[Sean McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Nash!