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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

Evangelicals have spawned a prosperous new publishing enterprise—one heralded even by The New York Times.

The problem is, these aren't our books, but books about us, books that stridently attack conservative ...

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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.

Jayelle

Posted: June 26, 2007 8:22 AM

Whatever these authors' flaws are, at least they don't compare two people loving each other with genocide in Sudan. You have nerve to talk about someone else's overheated rhetoric! And if you really think Christians should be "feeding the hungry, redeeming prisoners, and freeing slaves," why aren't you writing about these things instead of judging your fellow citizens for making neutral life choices that you wouldn't? Maybe there's a reason why the criticism's coming out in print now, and selling well in an age where many people don't read books. Why don't you look in the mirror and think about it?

Michael Mendola

Posted: June 25, 2007 11:54 AM


Good article with a great conclusion. If we just love like Jesus, nobody can attack Christians. We need to put all our energy in being doers of God's word.

Judson Fuller

Posted: June 22, 2007 4:09 PM

Chuck, I hope you're getting the message: You're out of touch with reality. I have read all the books your site, and your charactization of them is not only unfair, its short sighted. I am a conservative evangelical and your rhetoric, which matches that of the Bush administration, causes me alarm. You may not be interested in setting up a theocracy (though now I have my doubts), but it certainly is not clear to me that others are not. I for one am sick and tired of the twin pillars of fear (homosexuality and abortion) beings used for political ends by the Republican Party (of which I used to be a member, until Bush stop representing my political point of view) to exploit evangelicals. The Rove doctrine, which you seem to have bought right into. In fact, your article made me sad. Do you really care, and if so why, what these people have to say, when it is their opinion, from their perspective? Really w are you get your panties in a wad about this? You have better things to do. Do them!

Andrew

Posted: June 22, 2007 12:17 PM

I'm a born again Christian. I am troubled by Charles Colson's defensive reaction to the press our Christian extremists have been getting, which, I suggest, is well deserved. Colson must be aware of the clearly self-enunciated goals of Pat Robertson and the late Jerry Falwell to make this country a Christian nation. If he isn't, he can turn to theocracywatch.org. And the fact that the White House staff and the Republican contingent in the Congress are stacked with right wing theocrats should make anyone nervous who believes in mixing politics while keeping church and state separate. The critics may over-heat and over-state, but Colson's whining betrays the fact they've touched an important nerve. And he doesn't sound like what I imagine Jesus would say in response to them. At the same time, his comments end well, and I suppose that someone who encourages us Evangelicals to feed the hungry, redeem prisoners and free slaves (things very few of us do well) can't be all bad.

Bob	Posted: June 22, 2007 10:33 AM


Chuck Colson needs to reconcile with John Dean already. I wonder how long he'll keep up his grudge with David Kuo.

Josh Y.

Posted: June 22, 2007 10:07 AM

I agree with Patrick. I've read David Kuo's book and it isn't written to "blast" Christians. It was written to show us that even a Christian's best intentions can be corrupted by power and political aims. Lumping all of these books together as "overheated rhetoric" is ridiculous. Why should Christians like Kuo and Balmer with an opinion and the experience of Christians in power be considered in the same sentence as people who think we are the next Nazis? Regardless, we DO need to be careful that we don't put our faith in politics instead of the Gospel. Politics and legislation are not going to change the hearts of men. Only Christ can do that.

Scott

Posted: June 22, 2007 9:15 AM

"Pride goeth before the fall" One of the great Christian virtues is humility. If any movement gets to the point that it loses the ability to hear anything constructive in the "attacks" of its ideological enemies, it can lapse into delusion. Sadly, this knee-jerk, reactionary respone of Colson mirrors the Bush White House which, spurning voices other than synchophatic ideologues, has turned from widsom and led this nation onto a disastrous course. The Satan doesn't care what part of the political spectrum you're on, he's an equal opportunity deciever. The rightness of one's cause, even as Christians, doesn't make one immune from self-deception and prideful stupidity. It can actually make one more vulnerable.

Michael

Posted: June 21, 2007 5:31 PM


I am actually far more concerned with the film version of Philip Pullman's anti-Christian young adult book "The Golden Compass" due out at the end of the year. Ya gotta be pretty evil to wanna rob children of their faith.

Kerry E. Southorn

Posted: June 21, 2007 4:24 PM

Christ as much as said to his detractors in John 8, "Because I speak the truth you won't believe me." It is no shock to us that the truth of the gospel and the standards of the Word are unpopular--what of it? However, for them to suggest that the religious right is any more zealous about our worldview than is the secular left--sheer fantasy! If we could only get together and speak with one voice as those in the religion of the secular left--there's no telling what could be accomplished. Then again, we don't hate as good as they do. You keep tellin' em, Chuck!

A Hermit

Posted: June 21, 2007 4:14 PM

Mr. Colson-Jesus did not come to give a new, stricter standard of morality or law; he also did not equate the 'kindgom of God' with a nation-state or political entity. All of which 'conservative Christians' (CCs) do. Further, he said to not look at the speck in your neighbor's eye while ignoring the plank in your own. CCs instantly become defensive and attack whenever anyone criticizes them, and paint the world in an 'us vs. them' dichotomy. Perhaps if you listened, you would find truth in some of what they say. That 'they' respond in like manner does not justify you. And perhaps you might find that doing good and loving your enemies works better in 'overcoming' them.

Patrick

Posted: June 21, 2007 3:06 PM

Mr. Colson, One of the things I like about CT is the fact that unlike many evangelical publications, it usually keeps clear of paranoid, divisive rhetoric. Even more importantly, it strives to avoid confusing evangelical faith with right-wing politics. Kuo and Balmer are every bit entitled to critique the religious right from an evangelical Christian perspective, and they are not "blasting Christians" as you say. If you can't handle it go play in the other sandbox with WorldNet Daily or CBN, and leave CT to the millions of thinking Christians of various political stripes who would like a break from the partisan screaming.

Greg	Posted: June 21, 2007 2:46 PM

I watch, now and then, the four Christian stations on air here. If easily accessed Christian media is the main source of information for those dreadful critics...they're response is actually quite reasonable; though one can charge them with being lazy. InnerChange Freedom Initiative obviously isn't officially anti-Catholic, but it looks tacitly so, as well as cluelessly (I hope) white supremacist. I've just read the IFI website. I'm surprised why you're surprised at the accusastions. You seem disengenuous, manipulative, rather than concerned, That doesn't mean that IFI can't, won't and doesn't reduce recidivism. It can turn ciminals into productive citizens. It just means that ithe program, despite sucesses, is simply immoral in the larger frame of things.

Matt K

Posted: June 21, 2007 2:25 PM


While I too find most of these books unfair and idiotic, I don't think its right for Colson to inlcude David Kuo in with that crowd. Kuo ramains a faithful believer, he only reports unreputable evidence that the Bush administration and much of the Republican establishment in general have been taking CEC's for a ride.

Bob	Posted: June 21, 2007 1:11 PM

This may be overstatement, but what "good" deed has been done by this administration that hasn't been done for political reasons. Things done to make someone look like their "Christ-like" so that ignorant kudoos come from other "Christ-likers", just muddy the religious waters. Using God to make man look good, is religious commercialism not God-pleasing obedience. Walk the obedient walk and be glad, as the Scriptures say, that you suffer for God's glory. Your literary answers are just a means to sell a few more books and make some more money in order to maintain your pedestal as a so-called Christian leader. Build God's kingdom, which is not of this world ultimately.

Andrea

Posted: June 21, 2007 12:56 PM


Thank you for the heads up about the NY Times and the concerted effort to quiet the 'right'. I too question an emphasis on political clout but when given the option to do nothing - well, that doesn't seem Christ-like either. We can all devote as much time to praying as we do to demostating.

Robert

Posted: June 21, 2007 11:40 AM

Chuck-if Conservative Evangelical Christians (CECs) didn’t give the NYT and "anti-Christian" writers fuel for their fires, they wouldn't take the stances they do. Don’t get me wrong. I'm not talking about your “good” deeds, but your ridiculous, shrill and over the top rhetoric about everything from prayer in school to stem cell research. CECs have no idea what’s between the pages of their leather bound, designer, modern translations of the Bible. Theirs has become a civil religion that neither Jesus nor Paul would recognize. They want is a safe CEC subculture. I grew up among CECs, read some of your books, Born Again, etc. You should have stayed w/ your prison ministry where you were actually doing some good, rather than blowing your horn off every chance you get about whatever ridiculous topic CECs are presently concerned. Jesus didn't whine like a baby when someone called him a name he didn’t like. Grow up and stop whining because said something that hurt your feelings.

Stacey Simkins

Posted: June 21, 2007 11:02 AM

I am a Christian - a believer in the death and resurrection of Christ and all that it means and is. Having said that, I think that these writers should be considered as exposing a truth that many Christians do not want to face. I am horrified at the number or Christians who think President Bush is a representative of Christian values. He condones torture, dissembling, lieing, corruption, renditions, impoverishing the middle class among just a few things. The Christians who allow this President to continue using Christianity to commit crimes against humanity are complicit in the blasphemy. Don't claim pro-life and then in the next breadth support sending our young men and women to die in a war of lies. It is an example of the supreme hypocrisy by Christians who claim to hold a higher moral ground. If you want to answer these books, then start holding President Bush and others like him accountable instead of acting as if he can do no wrong because he is a Christian.

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