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Christianity Today, June, 2007 |

Overheated Rhetoric

What should we make of bestselling books blasting Christians?

Charles Colson with Anne Morse | posted 6/21/2007 08:41AM

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The question for us is how to answer their hysterical assaults. The writers know that evangelicals and conservative Catholics have had decisive influence on public policy and recent elections. Their books have one purpose: to silence us in the public square.

But we must not be intimidated; rather, we must continue to speak out boldly against abortion, embryonic stem-cell research, slavery in Sudan, and same-sex marriage.

Tempting though it is to fight back with angry words, a better way was modeled by British parliamentarian William Wilberforce, whom millions recently learned about through the great film Amazing Grace. Well-funded slavery interests viciously maligned Wilberforce, determined to shut him up. But Wilberforce ignored his enemies, pressing on to abolish slavery and promote spiritual awakening in England.

That is the example for us. We answer not by firing back, but by feeding the hungry, redeeming prisoners, and freeing today's slaves.

If we do this, not even the bitterest critics can make the "Christian fascist" label stick—no matter how many bestselling books they write.

Related Elsewhere:

Christianity Today articles about atheism and books critical of religion include:

"Is Christianity Good for the World?" | Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson debate. (May 8, 2007)

Atheist Apostle | Sam Harris has little patience for theists of any sort. (March 5, 2007)

The New Intolerance | Fear mongering among elite atheists is not a pretty sight. A Christianity Today editorial (January 25, 2007)

Can You Reason with Christians? | A response to Sam Harris' Letter to a Christian Nation. (Books & Culture, May 7, 2007)

Christopher Hitchens Explains It All for You | Move over, Sam Harris; another atheist wants the pulpit. (Books & Culture, April 30, 2007)

The Dawkins Confusion | Naturalism ad absurdum. (Books & Culture, March/April 2007)

Mr. Wilson's Bookshelf | "Wayfaring Stranger" (Books & Culture, November 17, 2006)

Charles Colson's most recent columns include:

War on the Weak | Eugenics has made a lethal comeback. (December 4, 2006)

The Earmark Epidemic | The disease must be cured for the common good. (September 25, 2006)

Bad Judgment | Ruling imperils faith-based programs around the country. (August 1, 2006)

Emerging Confusion | Jesus is the truth whether we experience him or not. (June 1, 2006)

Soothing Ourselves to Death | Should we give people what they want or what they need? (March 1, 2006)

A More Excellent Way | Changing the law isn't enough. (February 1, 2006)

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June 2007, Vol. 51, No. 6

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T. B	Posted: June 30, 2007 12:47 PM

I think one of the things that has disgusted me about Christians, especially the Christian right is how easily our voice was bought by politicians and how easily we swept their faults under the rug. We were so focused on speaking out against abortion, stem-cell research and same-sex marriage that we didn't see the log in our own collective eye. And now, we're paying for it. Why was it so easy to re-elect a man who repeatedly put God's name to shame even while proclaiming it? The finger points back at us.

Sherry

Posted: June 27, 2007 6:35 PM

I really appreciated this article. I am a Conservative Evangelical Christian who does understand and regularly reads what is in my Bible. I appreciated what you said at the end of the article most, "That is the example for us. We answer not by firing back, but by feeding the hungry, redeeming prisoners, and freeing today's slaves." And how do we know what we are to do? After careful study of the Holy Scriptures and prayer we see that God leads each of us from our worship rooms to the lost and hurting in this world; the very public area: where people and the policies exist and are created. We never needed to give the world fuel to hate us because it already hates our Father. So we can expect no less directed our way. In which case we know that we are doing something right.

Titus

Posted: June 26, 2007 6:34 PM

If I may say one thing on Dawkins behalf, it is this. The assertion that two (or perhaps seven) Brontosaurus's were on Noah's ark is absurd. This is what the creationists are yelling about and trying to teach in schools. I also don't see how the dino-raptors didn't eat all of Adam's family. Did you see Jurassic Park? I mean no way! Gnosticism is obvious because it denies the cruel insanity and stupidity of the old testament. The God of Abraham is the Demiurge Satan. Please convert and go to Heaven with me.

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