I finished the first book of my “Thirty Book Challenge of 2008.” I’m just a little bit off pace, but it’s better than not starting at all. Here’s my take on Greg Boyd’s “The Myth of a Christian Nation.”
The book is based on Boyd’s argument that the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of heaven are fundamentally juxtaposed with the former exercising “power over” its subjects and the latter demanding “power under” by serving those both above and below us. The book is built around the argument that the church’s quest for political power is resulting, and has historically resulted, in little but destruction and dissension. He would say that the modern church’s hunger to place like-minded folks in leadership positions so that we can have a “Christian nation” is a perverse form of nationalistic idolatry.
In short, we will forever fall short of our purpose as the body of Christ if our primary focus is a legislative push to ensure that the world’s political systems agree with our value systems instead of loving people and “replicating Calvary” to the world.
The Good
The book is very easy to read. Sentences are short, and the vocabulary is probably somewhere around a high school reading level. I could read it anytime of the day without having to focus incredibly hard or re-read lengthy sections.
It is backed up by extensive historical evidence of periods where the quest for political power has caused trouble for the church. There are also insightful biblical references. One of the best, in my opinion, was a discussion on the relationship between the disciples Matthew and Simon. Boyd observes that Matthew, a tax collector, would probably be classified today as a liberal. Simon, a zealot, would best fit into the conservative political label of today. However, the two were able to exist peacefully and lovingly under the headship of Christ. Boyd pleads for a political atmosphere where followers of Christ are able to follow a biblical model and unite under the common banner of the Good News.
The best quote I found in the book is one from Soren Kierkegaard that says, “The worst form of apostasy the Christian faith can undergo is to have it become simply an aspect of culture” (115). This comes in the middle of a lengthy discussion on the nature of Christianity as America’s civil religion.
The Bad
Boyd is overtly biased in some of his arguments. The book is not so much an open discussion of the role of politics in religion as it is a layout of what Boyd himself thinks. It is difficult to keep reading if you find yourself disagreeing with Boyd as he is quite forceful and exclusive in some of his arguments. (Ex: The final chapter on Christians in the military.)
The book is entirely too long (and it’s only two hundred pages!). Points that could be made in two paragraphs drag on for pages on end. It feels almost as though Zondervan refused to publish the book until Boyd reach a certain length, so that he just elaborated on old stuff instead of coming up with new evidence.
The outline Boyd follows is confusing with sub-point after sub-point. By the time you finish a chapter, you have forgotten where you began. The overall argument is not made in a tight or concise way, which makes it frustrating in places where the subject matter is, in fact, enjoyable to the reader.
Verdict
Boyd is continuing an important discussion – especially in an election year. Some insights are worthy and items which I will definitely remember and use in conversation. However, the book is too poorly organized and far too biased to create any widespread discussion. Check it out if you’re interested in politics and/or American religious history. Otherwise, leave it on the shelf.
Grade C+
