Blinded by Might -- Can the Religious Right Save America?

by Cal Thomas

Blinded by Might takes you inside the early and heady days of the Moral Majority, tracing its well-intentioned but fatally flawed battle plan aimed at reversing America's side into a moral wasteland. It shows now groups like the Christian Coalition, which stepped in when the Moral Majority ran out of steam, have not changed, cannot change, and will not change the trajectory of American culture. Written by two conservative Christians who worked closely with Jerry Falwell in the 1980's, Blinded by Might explains what you can do for your country that twenty years of heavily financed political activism has failed to do.

Genres: Politics, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity, Christian

Hardcover

First published April 1, 1999

Reviews

[Hudson Christmas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in 1999 and written by Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson, Blinded by Might is a retrospective look on the Moral Majority that surged to the forefront of American politics during the 80's. Both of the authors were part of this movement headed by churches and pastors to politically militarize Christians. And both of the authors look back on the actions of the Moral Majority with an understanding that while the intentions were good, the pursuit of that group was not rooted and grounded in Scripture.
This book is different as it depicts the history of the Moral Majority and examines how the Bible views religion and politics. To summarize, while indvidual Christians can and should be involved in politics, the church should not. Specifically, pastors should not be involved politically in their roles as pastors. I really appreciated this book. While I disagreed with some viewpionts and opinions of the authors (like their view that Christians are morally mandated to vote), I found the majority of their views on politics and the Church to be completely sound. The authors went back to the Bible over and over again to show that their beliefs were backed by Scripture. And their critique of the Moral majority and its leaders, while honest, lacked bitterness and hostility. I really appreciated this read, especially with the end of the recent election. I plan on re-reading this again in the future and recommend this to other Christians who want to know if the Church should be involved in politics.

[Don Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books that influenced my political worldview as it formed in my late teens and early twenties, especially regarding the proper relation of my Christianity to my politics.

ORIGINAL REVIEW
In Blinded by Might, authors Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson--both of whom worked in Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority organization in the eighties--argue very convincingly that organized Christian political action, with the goal of electing godly politicians and getting Christian or Christian-friendly legislation passed, didn't work very well and was doomed to failure. They believe Christians need to concentrate more on living godly lives themselves and giving good witness. If you believed the now-defunct Moral Majority and its also-defunct successor, the Christian Coalition, must have been great things, please read this book. Really, read it anyway. Cal Thomas is my favorite conservative, because he is calm, rational and polite; and if Ed Dobson pastored a church in my area, I'd want to attend. (I was sorry to hear that he now has Lou Gehrig's Disease.) Their book has greatly influenced me.

This book doesn't say much about Pat Robertson, one of the leaders of the "Christian right," until he appears in the interviews section; so I get the impression that Cal Thomas and Ed Dobson just haven't dealt as much with Robertson as with some other Christian political figures. The Christian leader whom this book depicts in a bad light is Dr. James Dobson (no relation to Ed Dobson) of Focus on the Family: Dobson's behavior in disagreeing with Thomas makes him look stupid and churlish.
According to Thomas, what happened vis-a-vis Dr. Dobson is this: sometime before the writing of this book, Thomas wrote a column saying that Dobson "was putting too much faith in the Republican Party to bring revival to America," and Dr. Dobson claimed Thomas misinterpreted his views. Later, Thomas invited Dobson to clear the air by being interviewed for this book. Dobson sent a response which, besides being crudely scribbled on Thomas's typewritten letter, had some embarrassing grammatical errors. "Dear Cal, this kind note took me back [he meant "aback"] a bit. After attacking me nationally, misrepresenting my views, and trying to make it look like I think revival can come from the Republican party--it seems wierd [sic] for you to ask me to help write your book... It's a strange request." Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, and the liberal icon Norman Lear, all agreed to be interviewed.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much has changed in our nation and its government since Blinded by Might was released, but the basic principles of the book apply in any age: Christians should vote on principle, not by party, and should not expect to bring about dramatic change through the political process. Rather, we should continue to preach the gospel with words & actions, seek "inside-out" change for our society, and slow down the cultural rotting process by being "the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13).

I'd been meaning to read this book for years, and I finally got around to it at just the right time -- an election season when other believers strongly suggested it was my Christian duty to vote for someone who could win the election, even if it meant voting for someone whose character and principles are quite different from those of Jesus. After reading this book, I did vote, but not for either of the major candidates. I don't believe I've shirked my duty.

[Lowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally changed my perspective of the role of Christianity in regard to American politics. Change comes by effective Christianity changing the people. Legislation and its process simply reflects society. Morally conservative legislation is sustainable only by changing the individuals of American society.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

TWO "RELIGIOUS RIGHT" FIGURES REASSESS THE SITUATION

John Calvin "Cal" Thomas is an American syndicated columnist, author and radio commentator. Edward G. Dobson was an executive of the Moral Majority and pastor of a megachurch in Grand Rapids; they have (individually) written many other books such as 'Common Ground: How to Stop the Partisan War That Is Destroying America,' 'The Things That Matter Most,' 'The Year of Living like Jesus: My Journey of Discovering What Jesus Would Really Do,' etc.

They wrote in the Preface to this 1999 book, "We confess some of our own 'sins' for once believing that we could make things right through the manipulation of the political system... We have come to believe that a delicate balance exists between church and state and that if each fulfills its proper role, the other is positively affected. But if one assumes the role of the other... then both suffer..." (Pg. 7-8) Thomas adds, "we no longer believe that our individual or collective cultural problems can be altered exclusively, or even mainly, through the political process." (Pg. 15)

They conclude that "Two decades after conservative Christians charged into the political arena... it must now be acknowledged that we have failed... because we were unable to redirect a nation from the top down. Real change must come from the bottom up or, better yet, from the inside out." (Pg. 23) Concerning the battle against abortion, they concede that "twenty years of fighting has won nothing. And our record is not better with other moral and social issues." (Pg. 24) They admit grimly that despite all time, energy, and money the Moral majority spent, "we failed. Things have not gotten better; they have gotten worse." (Pg. 42)

They are not afraid to criticize some Christian icons, such as James Dobson, whose "highly commendable zeal is a potential zealotry that is eating away at the benefits that can come with rightly applied zeal." (Pg. 120)

Clearly, not everyone will agree with their judgments; but for anyone interested in the relationship between Christianity and politics, this will be essential (and fascinating!) reading.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An extremely important book originally written during the time of the rise and fall of the so-called Moral Majority, with important updates in the second edition written in the late 90’s.
The message of this book is that when religion and politics intersect and with the seduction of attaining power , the original message of Jesus was lost and trampled upon.

These two authors stepped out of their comfort zones in the 80s to write critically about their disappointments with the religious right.

There is a very clear message here and it would behoove today’s religious right to re-examine their beliefs and actions. The point is that the historical Jesus of the gospels would hardly recognize the creed and motivations of today’s religious right.

[Aaron de neui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dated as it was written 20 years ago by moral majority insiders but still so relevant to the danger of mixing political activism with the Gospel. Only part that kind of dragged was the interviews in the back

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. I would like to hear what the people quoted in this book would say on the issues now 20 years later .

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book is simple: go focus on the family already! It takes issue with the idea that Christians can ever be successful at social engagement by seeking political power. It argues that they should instead seek to transform themselves and those around them one at a time. Basically, it is arguing that Christians should focus more on hearts and minds and not at all on bossing other people around. You need not hang on every word. A close skimming will do it for ya.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent view of people who used to be part of the moral majority or "Christian Right" and how they journeyed away from politics back to Jesus as the hope for this world! They encourage political action, but not at the expense of watering down the Gospel!

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most influencial books on my thinking about the relationship between religion and politics. Reshaped my thinking on the expectations Christians should have of the government.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't agree with parts of this book, especially with the espousing of Protestant Theology. But its still a worthwhile read.

[Jerry DeRuiter]

One of the best books I have read about politics. This book puts issues of faith and politics in perspective. Good read for everyone interested in politics.

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful critique of the religious right and it's influence upon the church.