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Woke Jesus: The False Messiah Destroying Christianity
“In this bold, analytical, and readable book, Miles names names and dismantles the fallacy of progressive Christianity.”
—ERIC METAXAS, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author and Host of the Nationally Syndicated Eric Metaxas Radio Show
Today’s social justice movements call for equality, civil rights, love . . . solid Christian values, right? What if there is more to social justice than Christians understand? Even What if we have been duped into preaching ideas that actually oppose the Kingdom of God?
Woke Jesus uncovers the real dangers to Christianity and America from the Christian Left, Progressive or Woke Christianity. These radical alternatives abandon traditional biblical interpretations regarding marriage, gender, racial equality, justice, original sin, heaven and hell, and salvation, replacing them within a new fabricated morality. This fabrication is built around political correctness, cancel culture, hedonistic values, obsession with public health, allegiance to the leftist state, universalism, and virtue signaling.
Author Lucas Miles— a pastor and trusted voice in the American church who has consistently addressed some of the most challenging topics in religion—not only outlines how the radical left wing is co-opting Jesus for their own anti-religious views, but also provides a call to action for Christians to resist the siren song of social justice and Wokeism. Rather than ignoring the problems within the church, Miles shows Christians how to grow in the truth of God’s word by expanding their understanding of solid orthodox theology.
The church’s best days are still ahead!
—ERIC METAXAS, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author and Host of the Nationally Syndicated Eric Metaxas Radio Show
Today’s social justice movements call for equality, civil rights, love . . . solid Christian values, right? What if there is more to social justice than Christians understand? Even What if we have been duped into preaching ideas that actually oppose the Kingdom of God?
Woke Jesus uncovers the real dangers to Christianity and America from the Christian Left, Progressive or Woke Christianity. These radical alternatives abandon traditional biblical interpretations regarding marriage, gender, racial equality, justice, original sin, heaven and hell, and salvation, replacing them within a new fabricated morality. This fabrication is built around political correctness, cancel culture, hedonistic values, obsession with public health, allegiance to the leftist state, universalism, and virtue signaling.
Author Lucas Miles— a pastor and trusted voice in the American church who has consistently addressed some of the most challenging topics in religion—not only outlines how the radical left wing is co-opting Jesus for their own anti-religious views, but also provides a call to action for Christians to resist the siren song of social justice and Wokeism. Rather than ignoring the problems within the church, Miles shows Christians how to grow in the truth of God’s word by expanding their understanding of solid orthodox theology.
The church’s best days are still ahead!
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2023
135 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 28, 2023
I remember when I was a kid, one lesson from my pastor stuck out to me. He said when Jesus comes back, most of his followers will call him the devil.
Seeing how Christianity is on the cusp of dying, and seeing its last few decades of being a living religion, I absolutely see this. The people following Jesus, are now changing scripture to fit the narrative of people in power. Pushing the agenda that you need to hate and kill your neighbors and we need to destroy anyone against you. Christians are being pulled from god, worshipping idols and names.
If the rapture is real, then most of gods followers will already be left behind and will blame others once again, for following the devil in hell just because that devil wears the mask of Jesus. This is ruining our country. It’s ruining Christianity. It’s unamerican and evil worship.
Seeing how Christianity is on the cusp of dying, and seeing its last few decades of being a living religion, I absolutely see this. The people following Jesus, are now changing scripture to fit the narrative of people in power. Pushing the agenda that you need to hate and kill your neighbors and we need to destroy anyone against you. Christians are being pulled from god, worshipping idols and names.
If the rapture is real, then most of gods followers will already be left behind and will blame others once again, for following the devil in hell just because that devil wears the mask of Jesus. This is ruining our country. It’s ruining Christianity. It’s unamerican and evil worship.
September 7, 2023
Lucas Miles delivers a meticulously researched and documented expose' on the history of Wokeism--and it is a lot older than COVID-19, when after awakening from our lockdown slumber, its tenets became the zeitgeist of the Church, the nation, and even the world. This is not an easy read, but an important one. The first two chapters give history and the last two chapters look ahead, but it is the six chapters in the middle that pack the most wallop and connect the dots between past and present. If you are a Christian who believes in the inerrancy of the Word and the Diety of Jesus Christ (as opposed to the "hippie Jesus" who is everywhere today-- as in, "It's all about LOVE...") then this book will speak to you through cited Scripture and textual evidence. It further reminds us of our mandate as Christians as described in 1 John 5:3 (NKJV.) "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."
July 4, 2023
I was a bit skeptical as I began to read this book, that it would be another theology that centered around politics first. However, it was refreshing to see a theological discussion of what is most problematic with how woke ideas are taking over many churches. The effort to create a theology that is acceptable to the world at large has eroded the very truth proclaimed in the Bible. The author approaches this topic from a Biblical standpoint with the support of many Biblical references. He even calls out conservative Christians who allow their politics to influence there theology. I highly recommend this book to every believer who takes the Word of God seriously.
July 26, 2023
I thought this book was the complete opposite of what it was. Unreadable.
October 30, 2023
Mr. Miles relies on The Gospels to drive his argument home; and to prove his point how Woke is slowly destroying the Christian Church. He found a most willingly and attentive reader on his all important book for any practicing Christian.
September 2, 2023
Very analytical book that is based in scripture and God’s word. People who read this thinking it will justify the worldly view of Jesus or Christianity in terms of progressivism will be disappointed. Those who read it to greater understand that morals aren’t in decline, but that people, politicians and money grabbers are changing what is morally acceptable even though it falls outside of Gods Word will walk away having a deeper understanding of what we face as Christians and have an ability to have real conversations on why they disagree with progressive Christianity and how it does not align with Gods word.
February 27, 2024
This is a great quick read that analyzes the progress of liberal Christianity from its beginnings to its present day WOKE form. Miles correctly identifies the roots of this movement in Gnosticism, Kant, Hegel, and Marx. It is well footnoted (something that lacks in todays “scholarship”). I graduated from a liberal Canadian Seminary (Lutheran Theological Seminary - Saskatoon) in 1989 and the professors were already teaching from the roots of this movement. I also served congregations in the ELCIC and the ELCA - both denominations are now completely WOKE.
June 9, 2023
Why should Christians be careful to centre Christ in our lives? To avoid being seduced by the idea that society alone can provide the justice.
Lucas Miles book is not a long or heavy read, but provides meat to think about. What should the role of Church be in society? Why does the incarnation, death and resurrection matter? And how can Christians avoid pride and judging others in working to God's glory in a fallen world?
Lucas Miles book is not a long or heavy read, but provides meat to think about. What should the role of Church be in society? Why does the incarnation, death and resurrection matter? And how can Christians avoid pride and judging others in working to God's glory in a fallen world?
September 12, 2024
Currently a DNF; the Kindle version from NetGalley is unfortunately so poorly formatted (and would even cut off mid-sentence at times), I could not continue for reviewing purposes.
I'm currently in line for a published copy from my local library, and will revisit at that time; but as to the eARC from NetGalley, it's sadly a DNF.
I'm currently in line for a published copy from my local library, and will revisit at that time; but as to the eARC from NetGalley, it's sadly a DNF.
September 11, 2023
Woke Jesus
This book should be read by young and old alike. Also, it is more important to read and study the Good Book. God's word never grows old. It keeps us close to our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
This book should be read by young and old alike. Also, it is more important to read and study the Good Book. God's word never grows old. It keeps us close to our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
October 3, 2023
The book has a lot of very important information. Every Christian should be aware of the attack that’s currently happening within the church. Unfortunately I really didn’t care the overall writing style. Full of needed information but poorly executed.
July 10, 2023
Has incredible insight to the lunacy of the progressive movement that has overtaken the some of the churches, Democratic Party, schools and other institutions.
August 12, 2024
Fair and consistent critique of liberal theology and how it embraces unbiblical concepts such as Marxism, BLM Marxism, LGBTQ moral choices, and DEI.
September 1, 2024
Pastor, filmmaker, and public speaker, Lucas Miles followed up his book, "The Christian Left" with this hard-hitting book and provocative book, "Woke Jesus." Starting with Gnosticism to Catholic fanaticism from 11th to the 16th century to Immanuel Kant (an early Progressive Christian) to George Hegel to Karl Marx to modern times, the author focuses on the development of the Progressive Christian's vision/version of Jesus Christ. This Jesus is described as "Woke Jesus" because represents Conscious Christianity by aligning with the Progressive view of race, gender, and sexuality in a re-packaged form.
The first chapter (which is scholarly and a bit dry) charts the history of the 'false Jesus." In order to understand this 'new' Jesus, the author outlines two Christian movements that led to the creation of "Woke Jesus." This creation has its roots in the Christian Left movement which strives to eliminate what it considers oppression, misogyny, bigotry, xenophobia, racism, ageism, and injustice. They are rooted in an element of humanistic truth as opposed to divine goodness. This type of thinking gave birth to Critical Theory which reveals hidden biases. These biases can only be eliminated through a dismantling and deconstructing the historical and current systems. One of these systems is religion which Liberation Theology (Theory) would dismantle by eliminating perceived injustices that target subpopulations. Both of theories (Critical and Liberation) have created a schism in Christianity. Pulling in Gnostic Hegelism, humanism, Marxism, the politically correct ideology of not offending anyone, a new Jesus has been fashioned. The biblical/scriptural God and Jesus are preventers of man's development/ascension. They are classified as 'enemies" of "modern man." The belief that there must be a unity of man for paradise and fulfillment to be a reality. Critical Theory propels the belief that world is corrupt because there is alienation from true knowledge. Through time, this concept of alienation has changed: Gnostic belief was that alienation was caused by creation; Hegelian thought was that man was alienated from himself; Marxist belief was that man was alienated by religion and social class; and the Wokeism belief is that man was alienated by racism and existing moral and cultural systems. The modern Gnostic/Woke Christian focuses on knowledge and carnal works, seeking escape from this world through a mystic ritual. This belief requires a Jesus is not all-powerful but at war with an equally-powerful devil while man suffers.
The author does present the historical and scriptural Jesus to expose the flawed Woke Jesus. In the first century the humanity and divinity of Jesus were both embraced but eventually the divine doctrine won out. Unfortunately, the doctrine of a strictly human Jesus underwent more development and re-fashioning. Through the age of the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, and the colonization and the forced faith conversion of the peoples of Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas, God was depicted as angry and vengeful while Jesus was the loving son who welcomed repented pagans. It was in the 18th and 19th centuries that the modern persona of Jesus evolved. The two philosophers, Kant and Hegel formed a new religious discipline that 'demythologized' the scriptural Jesus in favor of a historical profile. These "Critical Theologians" and others played on the sketchy historical proof of Jesus and fashioned a more human (and flawed) Jesus. The historical scholarship that was employed in the late-18th century and 19th centuries failed to produce scholarly accepted proof of a historical Jesus. This void allowed a false Jesus to be presented through fraudulent 'new' Jesus. 20th century false claims were made about Jesus being married, the Bible was flawed, Jesus was not an actual person, Jesus was gay or transgender man; and Jesus never rose from the dead. Luke who was a physician was supposed to have pulled off the ruse of Jesus dying while actually being drugged. These beliefs were embraced Critical Theologians and Leftist Progressives in the late-20th century. All of this false propaganda forced true Christians to research and identify proof of the divinity of Jesus. The search was a search for the Lordship of Jesus. This quest actually saved Christianity in spite of Critical Theologians attempts to synthesize the first three chapters of Genesis into mythology. These early scholars turned to other sources apart from the accepted Bible. In no way where these books of equal worth or as credible as the Holy Scriptures. This effort also gave birth to scriptural research and proof of the historical Jesus throughout the 20th century. The Liberal Christians attempted to put forth scholarly works as equal in value and proof to the Bible but this failed. By the late-20th century, a new heretical movement burst forth, making Jesus a socialist and a flawed and fallible man who did not fully grasp mankind. The Woke Jesus persona was and is a rejection of the divine Jesus.
The person of Jesus has become another target of Liberals. For centuries, a European-looking Jesus was presented as the true Jesus by the Western Catholic Church. This branding would open the door to two extreme revisions of Jesus. By the late-19th century, the Aryan Jesus was embraced as a method of 'de-judaizing' the church. In the 1930s, under Adolf Hitler, the Nazi German dictator and his National Socialist Party sought to further 'whitewash' Jesus by making him Germanic in appearance instead of the effeminate man pictured for centuries. The theologian, Walter Grundmann and German Protestant theologian created a German hybrid form of Christianity and an Aryan Jesus by changing his background and parentage, part Roman. The author postulates that this connection to the Nazis is one of the reasons that Jesus was targeted by Progressive Christians in the latter 20th century. The rise of a Black Jesus was elevated by Black separatists who believed that Jesus was Black. This is as historically wrong as the European Jesus that white Europe embraced and branded as the Jesus. Neither is correct because Jesus was Middle Eastern man. The ancient homeland of Jesus was at the crossroads of the West & East and North & South. Egypt where he lived as a young child to the South was ruled by descendants of Greco-rulers and later Roman governors and not a Black country despite claims by modern Black scholars. Jesus was a Middle Eastern man who blended into the diverse community of 1st century Egypt. Liberals' attempts to replace the White Jesus with a Black Jesus is as wrong as what Europeans forced down the throats of the world for centuries. The author pulls no punches in slamming both views. Early 21st century movements like Black Lives Matter and ANTIFA were outgrowths of the Critical Theory and Revisionist History schools.
Modern Christian Nationalism (modern conservative Christians) in the USA is widely criticized and compared to the Nazi-like social ideology. The January 6, 2021 Capitol Riot is seen as an outgrowth of the Christian Nationalistic movement. This movement has been vilified by Progressives (Woke Christians) are the true "Christian Nationalists' per.' The Woke Christians have reconstructed Christianity to embrace the LGBTQ ideology, abortion as a woman's right, gender assignment, and socialist reform. The author points to filmmakers like Michael Moore, Michael Scorcese, and others as being a part of the late-19th century re-fashioning of Jesus. For a growing number of lukewarm and false Christians, the Woke Jesus is the true redeemer of the people while the biblical Jesus is destructive and tyrannical. This Woke Jesus is a combination of Socialism and Woke (Liberal) Christianity. The 20th century, American theologian and the Gospel of Black Liberation Theology, James Cone fanned the growth of the Black Jesus. By declaring that the historical and Aryan Jesus was false, he led the growth and acceptance of a Black Jesus. In recent decades, many Blacks have embraced the concept that Jesus was a militant Black man and that they were descendants of Black Jews. The Black Liberation Theology movement is an outgrowth of Marxism and anti-Western ideology.
The author brings in the impact and ministries of Dr. Martin Luther King and Reverend Billy Graham as the main movers of the Christocentric movement of the mid-20th century, an opponent of Progressive/Woke Christianity. In the late-20th century, Derrick Bell, a leading promoter of the Critical Race Theory (CRT) helped spread the claims that American society, Western Christianity, white privilege systematic racism, anti-Black advancement, a lack of equity, neo-segregation, and a rejection of Liberalism were embodied by Evangelicals and the modern church. CRT promotes a spirited move against Conservatives and revisionist history. CRT accuses modern Christianity of not facing the social ills such as racism and white privilege. The historical Jesus is also targeted as flawed and socially antiquated.
The middle part of the book was heavy on the historical battles between bible-based/scriptural Christianity and Gnosticism, Marxism, Liberalism, Progressive and Woke Christianity. In spite of governments imposing pagan practices, anti-Christian faith legislation, persecution, imprisonment, law suits, and re-writing the tenets of faith, Christianity has survived. The expansion of European culture and society to the New World (North, Central, and South America), Africa, Asia, Australia, and the scattered islands throughout the world's oceans brought in conflicts and influences of pagan religions which had to be dealt with by Christian apologists. modern writer, Robin DiAngelo has added more to the fire, the charges of latent racism and exclusion by society and Christianity. While it is true that Christians have in the past tried to force their European Anglicized Jesus and worship on different peoples, the modern church had modified and diversified without diluting the message and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Separation and inequality have been dealt with but apparently not to the satisfaction of the CRT movement. The CRT movement's denial of the commonality of the human experience and the trappings of sin is its major flaw. These folks also devalue the attempts of White Christians with a heart to change and welcome positive and constructive change. This part of the book made me examine my own experience as a Latino Christian.
Pastor Miles is quite critical of the American church and educational institutions who both have bowed and capitulated to Progressives. In areas of faith, they have allowed lukewarm or non-Christians in to be hired in key positions to show they are inclusive. Harvard University, Biola University, and Azusa Pacific University are three Christian educational institutions that have forfeited their Christian principles to be seen as Progressive. The erosion of this base is reflective of the secularization that is now rampant and too common. Progressives have used fear to force change among religious, educational, and social organizations to its expectations and demands. Christian organizations have slowly given in to Liberal strong-arming. One area has been LGBTQ acceptance. Even though, these lifestyles are against the faith tenets and scriptures and faith organization's mission, they have been accepted and embraced by many. Many methods have been used but the most effective has been the financial method. Financial support has been used as leverage by Leftist/Progressive in dealing with faith-based colleges and universities. Churches have been targeted through protests and public scathing criticism for being myopic, discriminatory, sexist, xenophobic, and antiquated. In a growing number, too many have capitulated and not upheld its Christian principles and stands on abortion/pro-life, LGBTQ acceptance, modern medical experimentation, plagues (pandemics), and prophecy. New Age (re-fashioned non-Christian beleifs), scientific rationalization and have permeated the Christian ethos and organizations.
In the latter chapters, the author restates the Conservative resistance to the Left by quoting scripture passages such as Romans 13:1-5 (NKJV) which calls for believers' full submission to Jesus and 1 John 5:3 (NKJV) which commands us to follow His commands. He states that the Lord is the only authority and always in charge. The earthly rulers and leaders are not above Him nor are their flawed interpretations of the Word. Civil authority is limited in scope and not divine. The Word of God is above all earthly ideologies and interpretations by man. Despite the argument of the Christian Left who seek to make the Word of God bend to popular thought and current sliding moral standards, it is inerrant. The standard of good and evil is universal and timeless in that what is is good is good and what is evil is still evil. Christ's sovereignty rules over governments, justice, human rights, liberties, and appetites. Christ's supremacy is evident by it's purity and time-honored dominance and truth. The author cites that the Lord's supremacy over the world is akin to "Sphere Sovereignty over State Sovereignty." This Christ-centric attitude is based on the belief that the Bible is the inerrant word of God.
The author surgically dissects the flawed Christian Left in the latter chapters. He identifies legalism at the core of the Christian Left which is contrary to the Christian belief. Other negative attitudes like guilt and condemnation are part of the Left's arsenal. Refashioned belief in paganism has propped up as an alternative to the Lord. In the case of the Christian Left, pagan beliefs have been embraced and melded into the Christian faith. They are trying to cover up weaknesses by elevating manlike gods to the level of the Lord. This is not a new concept rather it is an old idea that has been refashioned into what is known as New Age ideology. Antiquated social concepts like Marxism and Liberalism have been incorporated into the American ethos and the revised Christian Left faith movement. Woke theology is built upon a system of misconceptions about justice, morals, economics, identity, behavior, rights, civility, et al. There is too emphasis on self and the 'now' for them to have a long-standing positive impact. They create problems rather than solving them because they possess the attitude of fighting against a tyrannical God.
Undermining everything is a moral crisis which the author claims that both the Left and Conservatives claim but in their own interpretation. The world is indeed in a sad state and each side blames the other for its state. The decline of morality is an outgrowth of a lack of faith in the one true God. The Left argue against that but NONE of their visions, plans and systems have solved the problems of the world. Movements come and go but they are doomed by relative morality. Man sees from his world perspective while God sees it from His universal perspective. God sees and know all while man is trying to know more through experience and experimentation. Modernity may present unique and challenging ethical answers but God's absolute truths are enduring. They may argue but God is God and man is man. What each produces or postulates reflects each's nature. God is divine and perfect while man is mortal and flawed. God came down and took the form of man BUT man cannot become a god, emphasis on the small 'g.'
I enjoyed the latter chapters in which Pastor Miles goes into detail that man armed with full armor of God (spiritual truths, insights, and beliefs) set aside only for the children of God. It is the embracing of and belief in the Lord that affords us who are believers that ability not to embrace the lies of the Left. The greatest of these is the Woke Jesus. True Christians are NOT swayed by the ideologies based on revision, refashioned, repetitive, and flawed concepts. Doubt, rebellion, disbelief, and heresy are all products of a sinful state. The Christian knows the world he/she lives in and the danger presented by going against God and his inerrant Word. The Holy Spirit provides us this understanding.
The author's last chapters are clear in saying that the solutions to the world's problems can ONLY come from God. That Christian solution is based upon the unerring justice, mercy, grace, and truth of God. Critical Theory takes those concepts and mangles their meaning to apply it to their ethical system. The result is Woke Christianity with a false or Woke Christ at its head. The sacraments are another extension of a loving and merciful God's grace and truth. In the hands of Woke Christians they are adulterated. God's definition of good and bad which is perfect has also been confiscated by the Left to the point that they are empty and meaningless in their churches. The Biblical Lord is truth while the Woke Lord (Jesus) is a false god.
The author ends his book by defining the Trinity of God (God, Jesus the Lord, and the Holy Spirit). He exhorts all who want to believe to re-discover the Biblical Jesus the Christ by reading the scriptures with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. The Holy Spirit guides and counsels believers. They are one and have always been. The Woke Jesus was created by man but the Biblical God made man. This is a truth that cannot be denied. He is triumphant always and has already beaten Satan who is guiding the Woke Christians. This last revelation is a deadly charge against the Woke (false) Christians who commit heresy through their acts. God is over all, Jesus is at His right hand and the Holy Spirit is also there. Nowhere is there a place for the false Woke Jesus. There is only Christus Victor (a victorious Christ).
Overall, this is a scholarly and in-depth analysis of the concept of a Woke Jesus, the self-centered and the flawed side of mankind. There is some repetition with sections of "Christian Left", Miles' other book being quoted. He ends his book with a call for true Christians to counter Satan's mission for Woke Christians to carry out his mission "to steal and destroy." Christians must focus on the present and future of the church and be active in defending the faith and the church. We must retake what has been stolen and pray for the lost ones. His last comments are directed to America which has been blessed but allowed the false Christians and Satan to take hold of this country. He touches on the Great Revivals and the hope that a Trump Presidency can bring. We are blessed and suffer for Christ while the Woke Christians inflict the pain. We are called to stand up for the real Jesus the Lord.
The first chapter (which is scholarly and a bit dry) charts the history of the 'false Jesus." In order to understand this 'new' Jesus, the author outlines two Christian movements that led to the creation of "Woke Jesus." This creation has its roots in the Christian Left movement which strives to eliminate what it considers oppression, misogyny, bigotry, xenophobia, racism, ageism, and injustice. They are rooted in an element of humanistic truth as opposed to divine goodness. This type of thinking gave birth to Critical Theory which reveals hidden biases. These biases can only be eliminated through a dismantling and deconstructing the historical and current systems. One of these systems is religion which Liberation Theology (Theory) would dismantle by eliminating perceived injustices that target subpopulations. Both of theories (Critical and Liberation) have created a schism in Christianity. Pulling in Gnostic Hegelism, humanism, Marxism, the politically correct ideology of not offending anyone, a new Jesus has been fashioned. The biblical/scriptural God and Jesus are preventers of man's development/ascension. They are classified as 'enemies" of "modern man." The belief that there must be a unity of man for paradise and fulfillment to be a reality. Critical Theory propels the belief that world is corrupt because there is alienation from true knowledge. Through time, this concept of alienation has changed: Gnostic belief was that alienation was caused by creation; Hegelian thought was that man was alienated from himself; Marxist belief was that man was alienated by religion and social class; and the Wokeism belief is that man was alienated by racism and existing moral and cultural systems. The modern Gnostic/Woke Christian focuses on knowledge and carnal works, seeking escape from this world through a mystic ritual. This belief requires a Jesus is not all-powerful but at war with an equally-powerful devil while man suffers.
The author does present the historical and scriptural Jesus to expose the flawed Woke Jesus. In the first century the humanity and divinity of Jesus were both embraced but eventually the divine doctrine won out. Unfortunately, the doctrine of a strictly human Jesus underwent more development and re-fashioning. Through the age of the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, and the colonization and the forced faith conversion of the peoples of Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas, God was depicted as angry and vengeful while Jesus was the loving son who welcomed repented pagans. It was in the 18th and 19th centuries that the modern persona of Jesus evolved. The two philosophers, Kant and Hegel formed a new religious discipline that 'demythologized' the scriptural Jesus in favor of a historical profile. These "Critical Theologians" and others played on the sketchy historical proof of Jesus and fashioned a more human (and flawed) Jesus. The historical scholarship that was employed in the late-18th century and 19th centuries failed to produce scholarly accepted proof of a historical Jesus. This void allowed a false Jesus to be presented through fraudulent 'new' Jesus. 20th century false claims were made about Jesus being married, the Bible was flawed, Jesus was not an actual person, Jesus was gay or transgender man; and Jesus never rose from the dead. Luke who was a physician was supposed to have pulled off the ruse of Jesus dying while actually being drugged. These beliefs were embraced Critical Theologians and Leftist Progressives in the late-20th century. All of this false propaganda forced true Christians to research and identify proof of the divinity of Jesus. The search was a search for the Lordship of Jesus. This quest actually saved Christianity in spite of Critical Theologians attempts to synthesize the first three chapters of Genesis into mythology. These early scholars turned to other sources apart from the accepted Bible. In no way where these books of equal worth or as credible as the Holy Scriptures. This effort also gave birth to scriptural research and proof of the historical Jesus throughout the 20th century. The Liberal Christians attempted to put forth scholarly works as equal in value and proof to the Bible but this failed. By the late-20th century, a new heretical movement burst forth, making Jesus a socialist and a flawed and fallible man who did not fully grasp mankind. The Woke Jesus persona was and is a rejection of the divine Jesus.
The person of Jesus has become another target of Liberals. For centuries, a European-looking Jesus was presented as the true Jesus by the Western Catholic Church. This branding would open the door to two extreme revisions of Jesus. By the late-19th century, the Aryan Jesus was embraced as a method of 'de-judaizing' the church. In the 1930s, under Adolf Hitler, the Nazi German dictator and his National Socialist Party sought to further 'whitewash' Jesus by making him Germanic in appearance instead of the effeminate man pictured for centuries. The theologian, Walter Grundmann and German Protestant theologian created a German hybrid form of Christianity and an Aryan Jesus by changing his background and parentage, part Roman. The author postulates that this connection to the Nazis is one of the reasons that Jesus was targeted by Progressive Christians in the latter 20th century. The rise of a Black Jesus was elevated by Black separatists who believed that Jesus was Black. This is as historically wrong as the European Jesus that white Europe embraced and branded as the Jesus. Neither is correct because Jesus was Middle Eastern man. The ancient homeland of Jesus was at the crossroads of the West & East and North & South. Egypt where he lived as a young child to the South was ruled by descendants of Greco-rulers and later Roman governors and not a Black country despite claims by modern Black scholars. Jesus was a Middle Eastern man who blended into the diverse community of 1st century Egypt. Liberals' attempts to replace the White Jesus with a Black Jesus is as wrong as what Europeans forced down the throats of the world for centuries. The author pulls no punches in slamming both views. Early 21st century movements like Black Lives Matter and ANTIFA were outgrowths of the Critical Theory and Revisionist History schools.
Modern Christian Nationalism (modern conservative Christians) in the USA is widely criticized and compared to the Nazi-like social ideology. The January 6, 2021 Capitol Riot is seen as an outgrowth of the Christian Nationalistic movement. This movement has been vilified by Progressives (Woke Christians) are the true "Christian Nationalists' per.' The Woke Christians have reconstructed Christianity to embrace the LGBTQ ideology, abortion as a woman's right, gender assignment, and socialist reform. The author points to filmmakers like Michael Moore, Michael Scorcese, and others as being a part of the late-19th century re-fashioning of Jesus. For a growing number of lukewarm and false Christians, the Woke Jesus is the true redeemer of the people while the biblical Jesus is destructive and tyrannical. This Woke Jesus is a combination of Socialism and Woke (Liberal) Christianity. The 20th century, American theologian and the Gospel of Black Liberation Theology, James Cone fanned the growth of the Black Jesus. By declaring that the historical and Aryan Jesus was false, he led the growth and acceptance of a Black Jesus. In recent decades, many Blacks have embraced the concept that Jesus was a militant Black man and that they were descendants of Black Jews. The Black Liberation Theology movement is an outgrowth of Marxism and anti-Western ideology.
The author brings in the impact and ministries of Dr. Martin Luther King and Reverend Billy Graham as the main movers of the Christocentric movement of the mid-20th century, an opponent of Progressive/Woke Christianity. In the late-20th century, Derrick Bell, a leading promoter of the Critical Race Theory (CRT) helped spread the claims that American society, Western Christianity, white privilege systematic racism, anti-Black advancement, a lack of equity, neo-segregation, and a rejection of Liberalism were embodied by Evangelicals and the modern church. CRT promotes a spirited move against Conservatives and revisionist history. CRT accuses modern Christianity of not facing the social ills such as racism and white privilege. The historical Jesus is also targeted as flawed and socially antiquated.
The middle part of the book was heavy on the historical battles between bible-based/scriptural Christianity and Gnosticism, Marxism, Liberalism, Progressive and Woke Christianity. In spite of governments imposing pagan practices, anti-Christian faith legislation, persecution, imprisonment, law suits, and re-writing the tenets of faith, Christianity has survived. The expansion of European culture and society to the New World (North, Central, and South America), Africa, Asia, Australia, and the scattered islands throughout the world's oceans brought in conflicts and influences of pagan religions which had to be dealt with by Christian apologists. modern writer, Robin DiAngelo has added more to the fire, the charges of latent racism and exclusion by society and Christianity. While it is true that Christians have in the past tried to force their European Anglicized Jesus and worship on different peoples, the modern church had modified and diversified without diluting the message and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Separation and inequality have been dealt with but apparently not to the satisfaction of the CRT movement. The CRT movement's denial of the commonality of the human experience and the trappings of sin is its major flaw. These folks also devalue the attempts of White Christians with a heart to change and welcome positive and constructive change. This part of the book made me examine my own experience as a Latino Christian.
Pastor Miles is quite critical of the American church and educational institutions who both have bowed and capitulated to Progressives. In areas of faith, they have allowed lukewarm or non-Christians in to be hired in key positions to show they are inclusive. Harvard University, Biola University, and Azusa Pacific University are three Christian educational institutions that have forfeited their Christian principles to be seen as Progressive. The erosion of this base is reflective of the secularization that is now rampant and too common. Progressives have used fear to force change among religious, educational, and social organizations to its expectations and demands. Christian organizations have slowly given in to Liberal strong-arming. One area has been LGBTQ acceptance. Even though, these lifestyles are against the faith tenets and scriptures and faith organization's mission, they have been accepted and embraced by many. Many methods have been used but the most effective has been the financial method. Financial support has been used as leverage by Leftist/Progressive in dealing with faith-based colleges and universities. Churches have been targeted through protests and public scathing criticism for being myopic, discriminatory, sexist, xenophobic, and antiquated. In a growing number, too many have capitulated and not upheld its Christian principles and stands on abortion/pro-life, LGBTQ acceptance, modern medical experimentation, plagues (pandemics), and prophecy. New Age (re-fashioned non-Christian beleifs), scientific rationalization and have permeated the Christian ethos and organizations.
In the latter chapters, the author restates the Conservative resistance to the Left by quoting scripture passages such as Romans 13:1-5 (NKJV) which calls for believers' full submission to Jesus and 1 John 5:3 (NKJV) which commands us to follow His commands. He states that the Lord is the only authority and always in charge. The earthly rulers and leaders are not above Him nor are their flawed interpretations of the Word. Civil authority is limited in scope and not divine. The Word of God is above all earthly ideologies and interpretations by man. Despite the argument of the Christian Left who seek to make the Word of God bend to popular thought and current sliding moral standards, it is inerrant. The standard of good and evil is universal and timeless in that what is is good is good and what is evil is still evil. Christ's sovereignty rules over governments, justice, human rights, liberties, and appetites. Christ's supremacy is evident by it's purity and time-honored dominance and truth. The author cites that the Lord's supremacy over the world is akin to "Sphere Sovereignty over State Sovereignty." This Christ-centric attitude is based on the belief that the Bible is the inerrant word of God.
The author surgically dissects the flawed Christian Left in the latter chapters. He identifies legalism at the core of the Christian Left which is contrary to the Christian belief. Other negative attitudes like guilt and condemnation are part of the Left's arsenal. Refashioned belief in paganism has propped up as an alternative to the Lord. In the case of the Christian Left, pagan beliefs have been embraced and melded into the Christian faith. They are trying to cover up weaknesses by elevating manlike gods to the level of the Lord. This is not a new concept rather it is an old idea that has been refashioned into what is known as New Age ideology. Antiquated social concepts like Marxism and Liberalism have been incorporated into the American ethos and the revised Christian Left faith movement. Woke theology is built upon a system of misconceptions about justice, morals, economics, identity, behavior, rights, civility, et al. There is too emphasis on self and the 'now' for them to have a long-standing positive impact. They create problems rather than solving them because they possess the attitude of fighting against a tyrannical God.
Undermining everything is a moral crisis which the author claims that both the Left and Conservatives claim but in their own interpretation. The world is indeed in a sad state and each side blames the other for its state. The decline of morality is an outgrowth of a lack of faith in the one true God. The Left argue against that but NONE of their visions, plans and systems have solved the problems of the world. Movements come and go but they are doomed by relative morality. Man sees from his world perspective while God sees it from His universal perspective. God sees and know all while man is trying to know more through experience and experimentation. Modernity may present unique and challenging ethical answers but God's absolute truths are enduring. They may argue but God is God and man is man. What each produces or postulates reflects each's nature. God is divine and perfect while man is mortal and flawed. God came down and took the form of man BUT man cannot become a god, emphasis on the small 'g.'
I enjoyed the latter chapters in which Pastor Miles goes into detail that man armed with full armor of God (spiritual truths, insights, and beliefs) set aside only for the children of God. It is the embracing of and belief in the Lord that affords us who are believers that ability not to embrace the lies of the Left. The greatest of these is the Woke Jesus. True Christians are NOT swayed by the ideologies based on revision, refashioned, repetitive, and flawed concepts. Doubt, rebellion, disbelief, and heresy are all products of a sinful state. The Christian knows the world he/she lives in and the danger presented by going against God and his inerrant Word. The Holy Spirit provides us this understanding.
The author's last chapters are clear in saying that the solutions to the world's problems can ONLY come from God. That Christian solution is based upon the unerring justice, mercy, grace, and truth of God. Critical Theory takes those concepts and mangles their meaning to apply it to their ethical system. The result is Woke Christianity with a false or Woke Christ at its head. The sacraments are another extension of a loving and merciful God's grace and truth. In the hands of Woke Christians they are adulterated. God's definition of good and bad which is perfect has also been confiscated by the Left to the point that they are empty and meaningless in their churches. The Biblical Lord is truth while the Woke Lord (Jesus) is a false god.
The author ends his book by defining the Trinity of God (God, Jesus the Lord, and the Holy Spirit). He exhorts all who want to believe to re-discover the Biblical Jesus the Christ by reading the scriptures with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. The Holy Spirit guides and counsels believers. They are one and have always been. The Woke Jesus was created by man but the Biblical God made man. This is a truth that cannot be denied. He is triumphant always and has already beaten Satan who is guiding the Woke Christians. This last revelation is a deadly charge against the Woke (false) Christians who commit heresy through their acts. God is over all, Jesus is at His right hand and the Holy Spirit is also there. Nowhere is there a place for the false Woke Jesus. There is only Christus Victor (a victorious Christ).
Overall, this is a scholarly and in-depth analysis of the concept of a Woke Jesus, the self-centered and the flawed side of mankind. There is some repetition with sections of "Christian Left", Miles' other book being quoted. He ends his book with a call for true Christians to counter Satan's mission for Woke Christians to carry out his mission "to steal and destroy." Christians must focus on the present and future of the church and be active in defending the faith and the church. We must retake what has been stolen and pray for the lost ones. His last comments are directed to America which has been blessed but allowed the false Christians and Satan to take hold of this country. He touches on the Great Revivals and the hope that a Trump Presidency can bring. We are blessed and suffer for Christ while the Woke Christians inflict the pain. We are called to stand up for the real Jesus the Lord.
October 5, 2023
Encourages his readers to support Newsmax (the publisher Humanix Books is a division of Newsmax), change churches if their pastor supports gay rights, and work to turn the USA into a "Theonomy".
The author basically whines about perceived grievances and woke boogeymen around every corner. Glad I borrowed it from the library instead of buying it...
The author basically whines about perceived grievances and woke boogeymen around every corner. Glad I borrowed it from the library instead of buying it...
January 24, 2024
This is a comprehensive look at how the christian church has become infiltrated by inconsistent theologies and practices. Often a million miles away from the biblical context that a bible believing Christian would understand. The book is aimed at the American market so there is a lot of information and evidence presented that doesn't help and UK based reader. Lucas Miles takes us through a history lesson starting in the 1700's showing the reader where much of the church has a wrong turn (or two). Jesus was not woke, he wasn't a marxist, buddhist or merely a good man. His message 2000 years ago was radical then and is still radical today. In a world proliferated with "cancel culture", it is becoming increasingly difficult to state what, as a Christian, believers actually believe in. Too often the message of Jesus is watered down to appeal to various audiences. Taking the bits that support their arguments and leaving out everything else.
American mega churches are often based on the cult of personalities, and in recent years we have seen the scales fall and those held up in high esteem have fallen from lofty heights. Usually involving sins of the flesh and a less than biblically correct lifestyle. The church needs to return to biblical basics. Forget the fancy, often debunked theories, faulty theology, consumeristic mindsets, or the latest populist thinking and return to the basics. As Christians we believe that the only way to the Father is through the Son. Jesus is not merely a prophet, a good man or just a historical figure, he is literally the Son of God. To many churches are preaching from a place and mindset that has turned away from the teaching of Jesus. I would quote Revelation 3 14-19. Take heed church. Be earnest and repent. As Mr Miles states "Wokeism promotes culture where truth is replaced by power and gratitude by ingratitude". At its worst wokeism is a form of absolutism that allows no dissent or alternative world view. Ignore it at your peril.
American mega churches are often based on the cult of personalities, and in recent years we have seen the scales fall and those held up in high esteem have fallen from lofty heights. Usually involving sins of the flesh and a less than biblically correct lifestyle. The church needs to return to biblical basics. Forget the fancy, often debunked theories, faulty theology, consumeristic mindsets, or the latest populist thinking and return to the basics. As Christians we believe that the only way to the Father is through the Son. Jesus is not merely a prophet, a good man or just a historical figure, he is literally the Son of God. To many churches are preaching from a place and mindset that has turned away from the teaching of Jesus. I would quote Revelation 3 14-19. Take heed church. Be earnest and repent. As Mr Miles states "Wokeism promotes culture where truth is replaced by power and gratitude by ingratitude". At its worst wokeism is a form of absolutism that allows no dissent or alternative world view. Ignore it at your peril.
September 2, 2024
The book begins with a quote: “By means of specious and plausible words, they cunningly allure the simple-minded to inquire into their system; but they nevertheless clumsily destroy them, while they initiate them into their blasphemous and impious opinions…and these simple ones are unable, even in such a matter, to distinguish falsehood from truth.” ~Irenaeus of Lyons
Their goal is to rewrite history, discredit historical heroes, and mold a “detached and illiterate citizenry that is malleable to a false narrative.”
The author explains that “areas in which the church used to claim dominion, such as education, feeding the poor, hospital systems (which were founded by the church), were, in most cases, annexed by the state with little resistance from Christians. Even the oversight of the institution of marriage was relinquished and subjected to state definitions and legislation, reducing the church’s influence. Christians acquiesced social responsibility to establishments outside the church’s jurisdiction.”
He (Miles) quotes a recent national survey by Gallup which found that only 24% of Americans now believe that scripture is “the actual word of God, and is to be taken literally, word for word.”
Miles says the resulting distilled faith goes by many names (Christian Left, Progressive Christianity, or Woke Christianity). "It abandons traditional Biblical interpretations regarding marriage, gender, racial equality, justice, original sin, heaven and hell salvation, and replaces them within a new fabricated morality, built around political correctness, cancel culture, hedonistic values, obsession with public health, and virtue signaling."
He continues, “Like all heresy Woke Christianity is rooted in an element of truth, but it encapsulates this truth with a convincing web of anti-Biblical ideology and extremism. As such, scripture is either downgraded, stripped of its authority, or frequently ignored, as personal experience, like suffering or oppression, and personal enlightenment take center stage. Example: They will use references to Jesus being a refugee to give credence to open borders, Christ overturning the tables in the temple in order to support riots and protests, and even twist Christ’s friendship with John in an attempt to affirm the LGBTQ agenda. They will selectively use scripture that assists their cause while easily dismissing other verses as outdated, out of context, or poorly translated. Progressive Christians have a tendency, rather than abandoning absolute truth altogether, to redefine it. Cunningly, these “truths” are presented a superior to the old, without question, and objectively true. As they change the moral standards, they say it’s simply a truer interpretation of Jesus’ teachings. A progressing culture is never justification to redefine or reposition the enduring guideposts of God’s righteous standard.”
Miles goes on to discuss Critical Race Theory: restriction of free thought, perpetuation of victimhood, indoctrination of young people, a distorted moral fabric, and undue resentment toward the western world. They preach tolerance, but their tolerance offers no tolerance at all toward differing opinions, especially if said opinions are conservative. Wokeism (those who subscribe to this Critical Race theory) promotes “a culture of hatred, division, a false sense of moral superiority and a false understanding of justice.” It has led only to increased racial tension unbalanced scales of mob justice, sexual libertinism and a complete lack of personal responsibility.
Miles also addresses the more recently created term of “Christian Nationalist” to label conservative Christians in America who hold both a love for God and love for country. Many believers are wrongly accused of fascist tendencies and a Nazi-like patriotic zeal (to discourage any action rooted in Christian beliefs). Christian Nationalism includes anyone who believes either that the US was or still is a Christian nation and who possesses a desire to see the nation return to its fundamental Christian values. According to its definition, “Christian Nationalists” can be identified through behaviors such as encouraging Christian prayer before school sports, voting for and/or supporting Donald Trump, participating in evangelism, trying to protect the nuclear family, rejecting unscientific and unbiblical views of gender and sexuality, fighting for the freedom of speech and a free press, fighting for free and fair elections, and supporting Israel. This new terminology is derogatory and seeks to make the church/believers the villain. Evangelical Christians, who stand firm against the false doctrines of the Woke Church, are quickly labeled as “evil” or “oppressive” and accused of being homophobic, Islamophobic, and/or utilizing hate speech.
Another unrelated observation he made and is interesting to note: In 2020 the American Medical Association chastised the US Supreme Court for declining to consider the likelihood of C-19 spread during Christian worship services, saying there was “no doubt” that Christian events spread the virus. Interestingly enough, within Nazi Germany, the Jews were blamed by Nazis for creating similar social and economic issues and for spreading diseases (like typhus). As such, the German people initially sought to limit the influence of the Jews through boycotting of Jewish owned businesses and inevitable through intimidation, physical harm, and eventually death. While we are obviously not at the forced death phase, patterns in history do repeat themselves and there are many similarities.
Today, Romans 13 is quoted frequently (this was a favorite used especially during C19) implying that we as Christians must always submit fully to the governing authorities (even if there are unconstitutional mandates, the taking away of basic human rights, new definitions of sexuality/morality, etc), and it is implied that rebelling against authority is rebelling against God. Miles explains that Romans 13 isn’t about unquestioned obedience to the state- there is such a thing as righteous resistance. We should not be deceived into thinking that the Christian response should be one of passivity or quiet submission to injustice (he then listed 12 examples of Biblical characters who did NOT follow the law of the land and were heroes of the faith). If we obey men/gov’t authority at all costs because we perceive this to be obedience to God, then obedience to man will eventually lead us to ultimately disobey God when they command something against Him/His word.
Miles says they are following the rules of Communism (rule #27: Infiltrate the church and replace revealed religion with social religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a “religious” crutch). He says It is obvious that the left has no real interest in the separation of church and state but seeks a church that is subservient to the state. “Woke radicals on the left have made it abundantly clear that their sanctuary is the environment, their method of worship is sexuality, and their god is the State. Progressives throughout the ages, as devoted followers of the Almighty State, have accepted their mission to eradicate “unbelievers” through conversion or silence, enact laws that provide provisions for their deviant behavior, and demonstrate dominance over the people through any means necessary. They believe they have the moral high ground in doing so. Wokists remain determined to become gods of their own existence in an attempt to morally justify their distorted pleasures and unholy pursuits.”
Miles goes on and explains yet another tactic: Using “Tyranny of Science”- which is only possible when the church is in a state of spiritual decline. When this decline takes place, science is used as a “servant of the state” to “dominate” the people.
Miles reminds us that in the Bible, Paul encourages us to “put off falsehood” and “speak truthfully.” But to do so requires two things: we must know the truth, and we must be willing to tell people what it is. And therein lies our problem….too many Christians are ill informed, believe what they hear without doing any of their own research or truth seeking, and are afraid to speak up if they do.
EXCELLENT book. Clearly explains the agenda, the history behind it, and the unfortunate path our society is currently traveling.
Their goal is to rewrite history, discredit historical heroes, and mold a “detached and illiterate citizenry that is malleable to a false narrative.”
The author explains that “areas in which the church used to claim dominion, such as education, feeding the poor, hospital systems (which were founded by the church), were, in most cases, annexed by the state with little resistance from Christians. Even the oversight of the institution of marriage was relinquished and subjected to state definitions and legislation, reducing the church’s influence. Christians acquiesced social responsibility to establishments outside the church’s jurisdiction.”
He (Miles) quotes a recent national survey by Gallup which found that only 24% of Americans now believe that scripture is “the actual word of God, and is to be taken literally, word for word.”
Miles says the resulting distilled faith goes by many names (Christian Left, Progressive Christianity, or Woke Christianity). "It abandons traditional Biblical interpretations regarding marriage, gender, racial equality, justice, original sin, heaven and hell salvation, and replaces them within a new fabricated morality, built around political correctness, cancel culture, hedonistic values, obsession with public health, and virtue signaling."
He continues, “Like all heresy Woke Christianity is rooted in an element of truth, but it encapsulates this truth with a convincing web of anti-Biblical ideology and extremism. As such, scripture is either downgraded, stripped of its authority, or frequently ignored, as personal experience, like suffering or oppression, and personal enlightenment take center stage. Example: They will use references to Jesus being a refugee to give credence to open borders, Christ overturning the tables in the temple in order to support riots and protests, and even twist Christ’s friendship with John in an attempt to affirm the LGBTQ agenda. They will selectively use scripture that assists their cause while easily dismissing other verses as outdated, out of context, or poorly translated. Progressive Christians have a tendency, rather than abandoning absolute truth altogether, to redefine it. Cunningly, these “truths” are presented a superior to the old, without question, and objectively true. As they change the moral standards, they say it’s simply a truer interpretation of Jesus’ teachings. A progressing culture is never justification to redefine or reposition the enduring guideposts of God’s righteous standard.”
Miles goes on to discuss Critical Race Theory: restriction of free thought, perpetuation of victimhood, indoctrination of young people, a distorted moral fabric, and undue resentment toward the western world. They preach tolerance, but their tolerance offers no tolerance at all toward differing opinions, especially if said opinions are conservative. Wokeism (those who subscribe to this Critical Race theory) promotes “a culture of hatred, division, a false sense of moral superiority and a false understanding of justice.” It has led only to increased racial tension unbalanced scales of mob justice, sexual libertinism and a complete lack of personal responsibility.
Miles also addresses the more recently created term of “Christian Nationalist” to label conservative Christians in America who hold both a love for God and love for country. Many believers are wrongly accused of fascist tendencies and a Nazi-like patriotic zeal (to discourage any action rooted in Christian beliefs). Christian Nationalism includes anyone who believes either that the US was or still is a Christian nation and who possesses a desire to see the nation return to its fundamental Christian values. According to its definition, “Christian Nationalists” can be identified through behaviors such as encouraging Christian prayer before school sports, voting for and/or supporting Donald Trump, participating in evangelism, trying to protect the nuclear family, rejecting unscientific and unbiblical views of gender and sexuality, fighting for the freedom of speech and a free press, fighting for free and fair elections, and supporting Israel. This new terminology is derogatory and seeks to make the church/believers the villain. Evangelical Christians, who stand firm against the false doctrines of the Woke Church, are quickly labeled as “evil” or “oppressive” and accused of being homophobic, Islamophobic, and/or utilizing hate speech.
Another unrelated observation he made and is interesting to note: In 2020 the American Medical Association chastised the US Supreme Court for declining to consider the likelihood of C-19 spread during Christian worship services, saying there was “no doubt” that Christian events spread the virus. Interestingly enough, within Nazi Germany, the Jews were blamed by Nazis for creating similar social and economic issues and for spreading diseases (like typhus). As such, the German people initially sought to limit the influence of the Jews through boycotting of Jewish owned businesses and inevitable through intimidation, physical harm, and eventually death. While we are obviously not at the forced death phase, patterns in history do repeat themselves and there are many similarities.
Today, Romans 13 is quoted frequently (this was a favorite used especially during C19) implying that we as Christians must always submit fully to the governing authorities (even if there are unconstitutional mandates, the taking away of basic human rights, new definitions of sexuality/morality, etc), and it is implied that rebelling against authority is rebelling against God. Miles explains that Romans 13 isn’t about unquestioned obedience to the state- there is such a thing as righteous resistance. We should not be deceived into thinking that the Christian response should be one of passivity or quiet submission to injustice (he then listed 12 examples of Biblical characters who did NOT follow the law of the land and were heroes of the faith). If we obey men/gov’t authority at all costs because we perceive this to be obedience to God, then obedience to man will eventually lead us to ultimately disobey God when they command something against Him/His word.
Miles says they are following the rules of Communism (rule #27: Infiltrate the church and replace revealed religion with social religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity which does not need a “religious” crutch). He says It is obvious that the left has no real interest in the separation of church and state but seeks a church that is subservient to the state. “Woke radicals on the left have made it abundantly clear that their sanctuary is the environment, their method of worship is sexuality, and their god is the State. Progressives throughout the ages, as devoted followers of the Almighty State, have accepted their mission to eradicate “unbelievers” through conversion or silence, enact laws that provide provisions for their deviant behavior, and demonstrate dominance over the people through any means necessary. They believe they have the moral high ground in doing so. Wokists remain determined to become gods of their own existence in an attempt to morally justify their distorted pleasures and unholy pursuits.”
Miles goes on and explains yet another tactic: Using “Tyranny of Science”- which is only possible when the church is in a state of spiritual decline. When this decline takes place, science is used as a “servant of the state” to “dominate” the people.
Miles reminds us that in the Bible, Paul encourages us to “put off falsehood” and “speak truthfully.” But to do so requires two things: we must know the truth, and we must be willing to tell people what it is. And therein lies our problem….too many Christians are ill informed, believe what they hear without doing any of their own research or truth seeking, and are afraid to speak up if they do.
EXCELLENT book. Clearly explains the agenda, the history behind it, and the unfortunate path our society is currently traveling.
September 26, 2023
By the same standard, the conservative Jesus would have been further away from the gospel
October 30, 2023
The author acknowledges that the term "Woke" arose from the civil rights movement, but highjacks it to refer to everything he dislikes about the world. Critical theory, globalism, vaccine mandates and secularization of colleges are denounced as Gnosticism and taking the form of Hegelian dualism. The author is particularly critical of the Black Lives Matters movement as being a new form of Marxism.
The book appears scholarly as the author relates much of his criticism to philosophy. In reality, the book is merely an attempt to promote a Right Wing agenda and try to whitewash it with scripture. There is a a subtle but clear racism that permeates the writing.
The book appears scholarly as the author relates much of his criticism to philosophy. In reality, the book is merely an attempt to promote a Right Wing agenda and try to whitewash it with scripture. There is a a subtle but clear racism that permeates the writing.
April 9, 2024
It had good points. However, it is written so academically that it is difficult to follow at times. I'm not faulting the author for that, he did his research and knows his stuff. As a "regular joe" and not an academic on the subject, I had some difficulty understanding what exactly he was saying. I feel this book needed to be more accessible to the regular person because woke Christianity is a problem that we all need need to confront head on. I appreciate the author's work in writing this book, and I will recommend it to others.
July 12, 2023
I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There is some really good stuff in this book about connecting Gnosticism in the first and second centuries to a lot of modern-day ideologies (and what the author would call wokeism). Some of this was really fascinating and I thought really well researched. He made some great connections.
There are whole sections of this book that I really did enjoy - it was convicting to see how many secular philosophies of the day impact what I believe about the Lord - ME, not my backslidden "why aren't they as political as I am" neighbor. I would have loved to read this with my friends and discuss how we can overcome some of those tendencies that seem so natural.
All that being said, the author definitely has a bone to pick with what he calls "wokeism." I understand it, I share some (if not most) of his conclusions, but I think he's caustic at points. If this book is only written for people who absolutely agree with him, I guess he won't have any problems. But I think had he approached this in a "how do we become who Christ wants us to be" vs. assuming that everyone on the right is CORRECT (except a few words against the crazy nationalists) and everyone on the left is WRONG - I think it would have made for a much more pastoral teaching. As it stands now, it can feel very soapboxy at times.
Also, I have to mention that the advanced copy I got on Kindle was very poorly formatted and unfinished. Many times a paragraph would leave off mid sentence. I don't think I could give a thorough endorsement one way or another because I'm not sure half the time what the concluding thought was.
Proceed with caution. There is some really good stuff here, but some land mines as well. Another book in this area that just came out was Political Gospel. They're very different books, but having conversations about the same subject. Might be worth a look side by side.
There is some really good stuff in this book about connecting Gnosticism in the first and second centuries to a lot of modern-day ideologies (and what the author would call wokeism). Some of this was really fascinating and I thought really well researched. He made some great connections.
There are whole sections of this book that I really did enjoy - it was convicting to see how many secular philosophies of the day impact what I believe about the Lord - ME, not my backslidden "why aren't they as political as I am" neighbor. I would have loved to read this with my friends and discuss how we can overcome some of those tendencies that seem so natural.
All that being said, the author definitely has a bone to pick with what he calls "wokeism." I understand it, I share some (if not most) of his conclusions, but I think he's caustic at points. If this book is only written for people who absolutely agree with him, I guess he won't have any problems. But I think had he approached this in a "how do we become who Christ wants us to be" vs. assuming that everyone on the right is CORRECT (except a few words against the crazy nationalists) and everyone on the left is WRONG - I think it would have made for a much more pastoral teaching. As it stands now, it can feel very soapboxy at times.
Also, I have to mention that the advanced copy I got on Kindle was very poorly formatted and unfinished. Many times a paragraph would leave off mid sentence. I don't think I could give a thorough endorsement one way or another because I'm not sure half the time what the concluding thought was.
Proceed with caution. There is some really good stuff here, but some land mines as well. Another book in this area that just came out was Political Gospel. They're very different books, but having conversations about the same subject. Might be worth a look side by side.
February 5, 2024
Lucas Miles, a Christian pastor, speaker and author, dives deep into his attacks on the Woke movement, specifically how it relates to and, in his opinion, damages traditional Biblical theology and beliefs. He clearly has a vast knowledge of Biblical and theological philosophies and schools-of-thought, much of which is admittedly beyond my knowledge and often difficult to comprehend if one is not as well versed as he is.
He provides detailed background of the various movements that have led to the Woke movement and Critical Race Theory. It is clear where his beliefs lie, as he admits to being conservative and one who believes in the inerrancy of the Bible. His attacks on alternative beliefs are relentless and harsh, and he seems to see vast and widespread global Communist conspiracies behind a wide variety of movements and philosophies. It is this overarching conspiratorial viewpoint that made it difficult for me to accept most of his views.
He provides detailed background of the various movements that have led to the Woke movement and Critical Race Theory. It is clear where his beliefs lie, as he admits to being conservative and one who believes in the inerrancy of the Bible. His attacks on alternative beliefs are relentless and harsh, and he seems to see vast and widespread global Communist conspiracies behind a wide variety of movements and philosophies. It is this overarching conspiratorial viewpoint that made it difficult for me to accept most of his views.
June 22, 2024
This book is well-researched, documented, concise, and straight to the point. This book is a call to a return to Biblical teachings and the Biblical Jesus of Scripture, not the historical Jesus that so many in today’s woke churches try to portray to push their agenda and ideology. It is not an easy read, but it is well worth the effort. Woke Jesus gives the history of how we got here, what is currently happening within the Church, and how we take action to return to the Biblical principles of the Church. It shows the inerrancy of the Word of God and the Deity of Jesus. It points us all back to the cross and resurrection. It solidly proclaims the theology of the cross while exposing the tactics/agenda of the progressive church and how they are rooted in Marxism. Love is not the answer to all our woes. It reminds of the purpose of the Church and what our true calling is.
November 30, 2024
I get what the author is trying to do here, but he fails to accomplish his goals and comes off as snarky and wound up.
The first four chapters exploring ideology and history are a bore, wholly unnecessary, and I think Miles needed to decide from the outset whether he wanted to write an academic or general text. I honestly think the Gnosticism/Wokeism comparison is a reach, and for the layperson, it really isn’t necessary to understand Gnosticism, Hegel’s Dialectic, Marxism, The Jesus Seminar, Q, and Black Liberation Theology to understand the rise of CRT.
The writing style really drowns out any good points Miles is trying to make. But, if nothing else, this was a good reminder that Christians need to steer clear of ideologues, and extremes on both the left and on the right.
The first four chapters exploring ideology and history are a bore, wholly unnecessary, and I think Miles needed to decide from the outset whether he wanted to write an academic or general text. I honestly think the Gnosticism/Wokeism comparison is a reach, and for the layperson, it really isn’t necessary to understand Gnosticism, Hegel’s Dialectic, Marxism, The Jesus Seminar, Q, and Black Liberation Theology to understand the rise of CRT.
The writing style really drowns out any good points Miles is trying to make. But, if nothing else, this was a good reminder that Christians need to steer clear of ideologues, and extremes on both the left and on the right.
April 22, 2025
I'm rating this book a one star review but I admit also that I didn't read anything but the summary on the back and thumbed through the book looking at a few pages here and there and the chapter list. I'm interested in the topic, but I'm tired of the Us vs. Them attitude of one political party against another and that's what this book seems to be. I'm interested in the topic, but I can't stand one sided views on these kinds of topics. Show me, tell me about the weaknesses of both parties or don't bother me. To do otherwise to me at least is to sow division, animosity between parties. For some of you you know you are supposed to Love your neighbor as yourself. This book does not help with that philosophy.
January 28, 2024
Woke Jesus review
I would recommend this book to any one in today's church because we seem to be losing gospel truth on a daily basis. This book doesn't just rail against the leftist takeover of our churches. Anyone can do that. Miles gives an in depth history of how theological leftism has its roots in the early church's most influential enemy -Gnosticism. Most importantly, he gives practical advice on how to confront this insidious cultural infection.
If there is any weakness at all in the book, the practical advice could have been longer.
Overall this is a true master piece on theological leftism.
I would recommend this book to any one in today's church because we seem to be losing gospel truth on a daily basis. This book doesn't just rail against the leftist takeover of our churches. Anyone can do that. Miles gives an in depth history of how theological leftism has its roots in the early church's most influential enemy -Gnosticism. Most importantly, he gives practical advice on how to confront this insidious cultural infection.
If there is any weakness at all in the book, the practical advice could have been longer.
Overall this is a true master piece on theological leftism.
October 30, 2023
Important info for Christians
We are daily reminded of the depravity of our society, but rarely are we given help in understanding it, much less the necessary information to bring a resolution to it. This book shows us the philosophical underpinnings of our current society and provides clear scriptural direction to focus us on Christ and His solutions. I will likely have to reread it to completely grasp all the points, but my primary takeaway is summed up in the verse; ‘looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith” we must press on against the enemy of wokeness.
We are daily reminded of the depravity of our society, but rarely are we given help in understanding it, much less the necessary information to bring a resolution to it. This book shows us the philosophical underpinnings of our current society and provides clear scriptural direction to focus us on Christ and His solutions. I will likely have to reread it to completely grasp all the points, but my primary takeaway is summed up in the verse; ‘looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith” we must press on against the enemy of wokeness.
December 9, 2024
Good analysis of some of the roots of the social justice movement in Christianity. While some might think the author is too harsh or one sided in his critiques, I believe he is absolutely right to expose these pernicious lies. Many good-hearted evangelicals sorely underestimate the extent of the danger of wokeness of any kind poses and how far the seeds have spread within evangelical thought and institutions, although increasingly many western Christians are waking up to this. Miles traces much of the current leftist movements (racial, sexual, etc.) within the church to a variety of influences including the Gnostics, Hagel, and Marx. While at points I think he overemphasizes the extent of the connection, he is absolutely right to point to how modern wokeism has borrowed from these pagan philosophers. Especially noteworthy are some of the connections that Miles draws between Gnosticism and Critical Race Theory. He is not the only one to point out these connections, but I think he does it well. His section on how the church compromised during the coronavirus pandemic is also quite powerful. The last chapter in the book has several great action steps for readers to take which are practical and relevant. I think applications like these are often underappreciated or ignored by authors of books like these, so I am glad that Miles includes them.
There are two minor critiques I would offer. First, some areas of the book are not as tightly argued as they could be and perhaps use too much technical jargon which is likely to leave many readers behind. Second, Miles briefly criticizes those who would seek to reinstitute certain Old Testament civil laws. I believe he is wrong here, but the bigger issue is that it is just unnecessary to have that in the book, as it does not really add to his case. Overall, however, Woke Jesus takes the problem of so-called "progressive christianity" seriously and helps Christians to combat it well.
There are two minor critiques I would offer. First, some areas of the book are not as tightly argued as they could be and perhaps use too much technical jargon which is likely to leave many readers behind. Second, Miles briefly criticizes those who would seek to reinstitute certain Old Testament civil laws. I believe he is wrong here, but the bigger issue is that it is just unnecessary to have that in the book, as it does not really add to his case. Overall, however, Woke Jesus takes the problem of so-called "progressive christianity" seriously and helps Christians to combat it well.
March 5, 2024
Excellent report on current trends in culture and how they are invading the Church. Lots of documentation provided. I appreciated the author's research. I eschew the word "Woke" in this context because I think it's been overused and somewhat misunderstood or misinterpreted. However, the fact that culture is diluting the strength of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the lives of many Christians - especially "progressive" Christians - is undeniable.
December 1, 2023
This is a great book, especially for the person who has not read much on wokeness.
The author is a pastor of a church in Granger, Indiana.
He comes from a different tradition than my own (I am Particular Baptist), but he strives towards irenic communication with other Christians.
He is not afraid to name names, and I respect that.
The author is a pastor of a church in Granger, Indiana.
He comes from a different tradition than my own (I am Particular Baptist), but he strives towards irenic communication with other Christians.
He is not afraid to name names, and I respect that.
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