The Myth of a Christian Nation - Book Report/Review Example

? Analysis of Boyd’s Christian Myth Grade 10th December, Myth Analysis This paper involves an analysis of Boyd’s book the myth of a Christian nation (2009). The main aim is to examine ideas and author’s thinking presented in the book’s content. This paper also involves identifying the main purpose for this authorship, main issue the author addresses, and the evidence he presents to support his arguments, the assumptions that underlie the authors thinking. The author’s main purpose is to provide a sermon basing on biblical explanation why the church should not be involved in political activities. The authors present the dangers involved when the church engages itself in politics whether liberal or conservative. He entitles this “The cross and the sword.” The chief aim is to offer explanations that will work as eye openers to the Christians as well as demonstrate to them the wickedness of involvement in politics. He presents the sermon quoting the bible as his basis to support his argument. He explains how political and national agendas have clouded the minds of Christians (Boyd, 2009). The author’s main issue is that he believes a significant segment of evangelicalism is culpable of believing in nationalistic and political ideas, which he calls, idolatry. To Boyd (2009) the evangelists have mixed Christianity (kingdom of God) and politics (kingdom of the world). He argues that the evangelists have deviated from understanding the kingdom of God as Jesus did by not involving him in politics of the time. He believes that evangelicals have allowed their understanding of the kingdom of God to be contaminated by political issues, agendas and ideals. These evangelicals support ideas such from a Christian candidate who will outlaw abortion, gay marriages, winning the cultural war among others. These evangelicals believe in taking America back to God. Boyd (2009) presents his evidence in three parts which he calls words. First he weighs both the political left and political right of the Christians. He says with a focus on the political kingdom he dwells on the political right, which is the, dominant among the evangelicals. He says the political right has more political and religious ideas which have also captured the attention of the media. Secondly, he says that keeping the kingdom of God distinct from all other versions does not mean that Christians should not take part in political activities such as elections. This is a true reflection of true citizens in a free country. The distinction between the kingdoms implies that the citizens of the kingdom of heaven need to take care. This is to differentiate between their core value and faith on one hand and the way they express their political values and faith, on the other hand. To Boyd (2009) the way of the kingdom of God is absolute, uncompromising and straight forward while that of the kingdom of the world is complex, full of ambiguities and compromising. He says the evangelicals who share the same faith and core values often disagree. This is in regards about how they how they should justify and inform their involvement with the kingdom of the world. Finally, the author presents a clear vision the uniqueness of the kingdom of God. This is revealed in the life of Jesus Christ, and how the Calvary way of life brings change in people’s lives. This is different from the way the kingdom of the world brings change to people. To add on the evidence, he presents the consequences that would befall the Christian evangelicals if they fail to maintain the uniqueness of the way of the heavenly kingdom. He aims to present how contrasts the kingdom of the world is to that of heaven. The author’s conclusion is that Christian should take part in politics but should not use these views and their differences in the church. They should draw a clear distinction that is drawn between the kingdom two kingdoms. They should not let the kingdom of the world ideologies influence their living and their participation in church. The author concludes that evangelicals should not preach politics in the church to influence their followers to take a path in the kingdom of the world (Boyd, 2009). The key concepts that a reader must comprehend for him or her get the author’s argument are as follows. The reader must understand the bible which is the guideline to the kingdom of God. A reader must also understand the politics of the country so as to differentiate between the world’s kingdom and the kingdom of heaven. They must clearly understand the evils which arise as a result of the church failing to identify the limits it should take in a country’s politics. The information and the author’s argument present enough evidence to support his conclusions. The author shows how different evangelicals involve themselves in the ways of the kingdom of the world. He draws a clear distinction between the kingdom of the world and kingdom of God and discusses the way a Christian should be involved in politics. The author presents how the evangelicals should follow the way of Christ Jesus. Jesus did not get involved in politics of the world to avoid confusing their flock (Boyd, 2009). The author in his thinking assumes the following. The author assumes a world of Christians only that is the reason he does not mention any other religion in his book. He assumes that politics have a substantial impact on the actions of the Christians. This is explained by the fact that after his sermon thousand of Christians in his church left. If a reader accepts or rejects these arguments, the consequences that will befall them are as follows. Those who will accept will have a clear way to follow as Christian and know the extent they should involve themselves with politics. Those who reject will suffer from the ways of the kingdom of the world. In conclusion, Boyd (2009) presents his argument in relation with the world’s politics. To him Christians should have a drawn line to help them know to what extent they should be involved in politics. Although church and the state are inseparable Christians, should not let politics influence them in their places of worship. The author does not discourage Christian participation in politics, but what he calls for is a distinction between the two kingdoms. References Boyd, G.A. (2009). The Myth of a Christian Nation: How the Quest for Political Power is destroying the church. Michigan: Zondervan. Read More