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In God We Trust?: A Challenge to American Evangelicals
Is Christianity in the USA finished? This book looks at the challenge the American church is currently facing in an age of rapid secularization in the United States and how as it power and numbers decline domestically, it continues to export its unique American brand of Christianity around the world. "The Americanization of Christianity" has never received a more insightful examination than in this book where Patrick chronicles the unchallenged American cultural assumptions that are spread through American churches, missionaries, church-growth paradigms, and theologies and then transferred around the world. For that reason alone, it is a must read for all American Christians and global Christians that are taking their theological and church-growth cues from American Christian sources and theocratic political movements. In God We Trust?: A Challenge to American Evangelicals deals with these issues by looking at American religious history, current geo-political events, religious trends in the USA, historic Christianity, and current trends in Global Christianity. While deeply respectful and loving toward the United States (written by an immigrant), it also seeks to honestly portray the state of the current American church. A prescient book written just before the rise of nationalist Evangelicals taking key positions of influence in the three branches of American government, Patrick argues that no country in the world is better positioned to lead the world in the 21st Century geopolitically than the United States, but that American Evangelical Christianity sows the seeds of internal division by transmitting fear, nationalism, xenophobia, and apocalyptic thought during this time of increasing religious and economic tensions. A combination of historical amnesia and an obsession with apocalypticism has created an americanized form of Christianity that is exported all over the world. Caught between triumph and apocalypse, American Christianity veers from cultural arrogance to deep pessimism about the future of the country--a pattern that has existed for more than 400 years.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 26, 2015
Sometimes you need a new perspective and this essay is one that I think American Christians need. I know I needed it. When you think of the Christian way, it looks much like the American way. Does it look biblical is the question. Written by a Christian immigrant that is now an American citizen, however, he is quick to point out that we are citizens of the Kingdom first and points his readers to that as well. I so much appreciated this read and the perspectives that it offered. It is biblical. It does come with a warning which is called for. You may not agree and I have to admit, I was struggling with what he was saying but looking at the bigger picture, I came to a better of understanding of biblical citizenship. The gospel is worldwide citizenship with eternal implications.
The American God-the three gods of that our current in our culture 1) Religious Freedom, 2) Radical individualism and 3) Materialism. –These 3 drive American Christianity and the culture. The question becomes how is Christianity different from the culture?
Do we look at Christianity with its beliefs through the prism of one culture or the work and redemption of God through thousands of years of different cultures? Is the Christian message one of Self-gratification or of self-denial? Success at all cost or humility in all things?
With in-depth look at American History and culture trends, are we God’s chosen nation? I thought the answer to this question was meticulous and biblically answered.
Why are these issues important? The short answer is the Gospel. Issues like immigration which he makes a great case and reminds us immigration is what makes this nation great among other nations. I think that calls for another book – a biblical look at immigration.
The 3 gods that the American church bows down to is what will remove the light from the church giving us a false sense of our need for God, not in the gifts but in the giver! This is not bashing of the American way but a better way-Kingdom Citizenship for all of God’s people and the work of the Gospel.
A special thank you Warner Press, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The American God-the three gods of that our current in our culture 1) Religious Freedom, 2) Radical individualism and 3) Materialism. –These 3 drive American Christianity and the culture. The question becomes how is Christianity different from the culture?
Do we look at Christianity with its beliefs through the prism of one culture or the work and redemption of God through thousands of years of different cultures? Is the Christian message one of Self-gratification or of self-denial? Success at all cost or humility in all things?
With in-depth look at American History and culture trends, are we God’s chosen nation? I thought the answer to this question was meticulous and biblically answered.
Why are these issues important? The short answer is the Gospel. Issues like immigration which he makes a great case and reminds us immigration is what makes this nation great among other nations. I think that calls for another book – a biblical look at immigration.
The 3 gods that the American church bows down to is what will remove the light from the church giving us a false sense of our need for God, not in the gifts but in the giver! This is not bashing of the American way but a better way-Kingdom Citizenship for all of God’s people and the work of the Gospel.
A special thank you Warner Press, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
February 24, 2015
In God We Trust?
A Challenge to American Evangelicals
Patrick Nachtigall
Warner Press
Pub Date Jan 5 2015
This book is a call to American Evangelicals a reminder that America was founded on the freedom of religion. This book also points out that although many look at the United States as the wealthiest nation some nations like China have more income per capita but they also have lower living standards. And the author also points out the issues of the "prosperity gospel " but it also points out the fact that the American Church is often generous offering food and shelter to the down and out.
We are told to be warned about those who claim to know when the world is going to end because they cannot know the day or the hour only God himself knows. It is also pointed out that American Evangelicals are called to spread the gospel around the world.
This book was both well written sand well researched and was full of interesting facts and figures.
Four out of five Stars...
Happy Reading Friends...
A Challenge to American Evangelicals
Patrick Nachtigall
Warner Press
Pub Date Jan 5 2015
This book is a call to American Evangelicals a reminder that America was founded on the freedom of religion. This book also points out that although many look at the United States as the wealthiest nation some nations like China have more income per capita but they also have lower living standards. And the author also points out the issues of the "prosperity gospel " but it also points out the fact that the American Church is often generous offering food and shelter to the down and out.
We are told to be warned about those who claim to know when the world is going to end because they cannot know the day or the hour only God himself knows. It is also pointed out that American Evangelicals are called to spread the gospel around the world.
This book was both well written sand well researched and was full of interesting facts and figures.
Four out of five Stars...
Happy Reading Friends...
January 1, 2016
I wish every American Christian would read this book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews