Hijacked: Responding to the Partisan Church Divide

by Mike Slaughter, Charles E. Gutenson, Robert P. Jones

The last thirty years have seen the political discourse within our country grow more rancorous and increasingly uncivil. During the same period, there has been a growing tendency to conflate one's theological commitments with one's political ideol

Genres: Christian, Politics, Religion

134 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2012

About the author

Mike Slaughter is the lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City, Ohio. Under his leadership, Ginghamsburg became known as an early innovator of small group ministry and a leader in global mission efforts. A frequently sought-after speaker, he is the author of many books, including Dare to Dream, Hijacked, Change the World, Christmas Is Not Your Birthday, and Upside Living in a Downside Economy.

Reviews

[Robert D. Cornwall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Slaughter and Chuck Gutenson have written an important topic -- the role of politics in the life of churches. Even as the nation becomes increasingly polarized politically that divisive partisanship is encroaching on church life. Too often we are partisans first, Christians second.

Although I have problems here and there with the way the authors work with the issue, they raise an important issue that needs to be talked about.

One concern I have is that the church pastored by Mike Slaughter is a Mainline Protestant Church, and the book is published by a Mainline publisher, but the audience seems to be completely evangelical, with Mainliners like me not really part of the conversation.

Still, a helpful book that is written for the lay reader. Worth reading.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit, when I first got this book it was during the midst of midterms, and I promptly set it aside to do required seminary reading. In the past few weeks my news feed on facebook has been flooded with hateful, condeming rehortic on both sides of many issues steming from both the General Conference of the United Methodist Church, and in regards to various states voting issues. I am tired of hurtful, hateful rehortic who people on all sides of issues spout. What this book does is give people a frame work for understanding each other as Christians. The book can get a little heady at times, but I would recomend it for people looking for a way out of the hate. We have fallen on hard times as a church, and understanding one another can be a first step out of the quagmire that we have found ourselvs in. Readers beware, this book leaves no quater for those who consider themselves liberal or conservative. For the message of this book is that Christ transcends our political reality that we find ourselves in, and it is in Christ where we must go.

[Maria Weir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The research and observations are relevant, the path forward is not aimed at whole church or pastoral leadership, except by example. It's worth a read though.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hijacked laments the increasing way in which unity among Christians is found more in political party affiliation rather than in the central affirmations of Christianity–like the Trinitarian nature of God and the divinity of Jesus Christ, for example. The authors do not have a problem with the church’s work in the public square, the pursuit of public service in elected office, or even activism for a political party. After all, for both Slaughter and Gutenson, bringing the resources of the gospel and the church to bear on the common good of society is an integral part of their personal journey as disciples working out the meaning of following Jesus in all aspects of life. The problem is the rise and intensification of political partisanship in society infiltrating the American church. Political and ideological agreement–on left or right–has become in many quarters of the church a litmus test for authentic faithfulness. This leads to filtering the bible through our political convictions, instead of the other way around. The partisan atmosphere weakens unity in essentials (core doctrines) in favor of unity around non-essentials (specific political positions).

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did really like this book...tons of interesting research and thoughts...although it was not always a page turner. I do think that all the American Christians I know should read it and think about how they fit in. I think this book is very timely especially given the recent op-Ed in the NYT about the shrinking group of moderates in our population. The book is about how our political ideology and out theology often get conflated. Much of this is driven with wedge issues where one's political ideology determines what one thinks theologically. I do love the quote,

"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity"
-attributed variously

I'll be trying to more actively practice that statement in my life.

[Steve Callahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short book but maybe that would encourage everyone to take a look at it, Christian or not. Gives the history of how we reached this point of anger and lack of civility on both sides of politics and theology ignoring Christ's command to love one another. Offers suggestions of how to solve the problem which mostly have to do with where we get our information and checking it's validity. "In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity".

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book. The authors are not taking political sides but are reminding those of us who call ourselves Christians that we are called to love each other, even when we may disagree on political issues. The book gave me much needed perspective in an election year when far too many people are making assumptions that mix politics and the church.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A much needed voice that brings us back to the center of the Gospel. The thoughts and challenges found here can be embraced by those on both sides of the political spectrum, calling us back to the center, which is Christ.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very timely and important book for the church. A little dry in the middle and not as many recommendations as I would wish at the end, but a very good analysis of where we are and why where we are is not a good place to be.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slaughter & Gutenson do a great job tracing the history of the partisan divide, but the book lacks a solid proposal for a way forward. To boot, my staff could barely track many of their arguments. Too scholarly for the people in the pews.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good perspective on how politics has wrapped itself into organized religion, diluting and confusing the message of the Gospel.

[jessica]

[free nook book]

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, The chapter Unity, Liberty, Charity is great. The authors do a nice job of pointing out how faulty logic leads to errant conclusions and how to avoid them.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do we live out our faith in a world that wants to separate us into political categories? An important question and discussion for Christians in America at this time

[Robert Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read...prophetic for our politically charged culture